A robotic system for underwater eco-sustainable wire-cutting

The paper deals with the design and development of a diamond wire cutting system used as end-effector of an underwater robot for removal of offshore constructions. This system fulfills the sea-bottom reclamation duties required by the environmental protection acts related to dismissing of off-shore oil plants. The research results have been achieved through extensive interaction between academia and industry, which have solved jointly scientific, technological, economic and social issues along the challenging track to eco-consistency. The, study brings forth: - the analysis of cutting using a diamond wire saw to accomplish the conceptual design of the system; - the wire micro analysis to select a suitable wire configuration. The topics are summarized highlighting the design steps, including preliminary life-cycle assessments accomplished by joining virtual reality tests and trials on an experimental bench. The robotic system has been realized and it is working satisfactory in the North Sea.