Abstract: A system and method are provided for using an optimized order plan including freight allowance and expense per shipment. Further, an notification of non-compliance is sent to purchasing when purchasing attempts to initiate an order outside of the optimized order plan. Additionally, a compliance reporting system reports the actual shipping results as compared with the optimized order plan.

Abstract: A low resistance splice connects two cable-in-conduit superconductors to each other. Dividing collars for arranging sub-cable units from each conduit are provided, along with clamping collars for mating each sub-cable wire assembly to form mated assemblies. The mated assemblies ideally can be accomplished by way of splicing collar. The mated assemblies are cooled by way of a flow of coolant, preferably helium. A method for implementing such a splicing is also described.

Abstract: A EMAT inspection system is utiliized on sheet metal prior to it being formed or rolled to identify surface defects and sub-surface defects such as pencil pipe inclusions by using ultrasonic Lamb waves with the results being displayed on a remote screen of a display and control system which also records the inspection results and controls the EMAT system.

Abstract: An EMAT inspection system is utilized on a mill roll to identify surface and sub-surface defects such as firecracks in steel mill rolls with the results being displayed on a remote screen of a display and control system which also records the inspection results and controls the EMAT system.

Abstract: A blending/loading system wherein an elongated cylinder or fuel rod is positioned on a turntable underneath a series of hoppers containing the particulates to be blended/loaded. Separate transfer tubes from each hopper are aligned with the cylinder and are subsequently lowered into the cylinder. Upon lowering, the cylinder is rotated and nozzles at the ends of the transfer tubes are activated to discharge, disperse and mix the stored particulates into the rotating cylinder. As the cylinder fills up, the transfer tubes are withdrawn from the rotating cylinder until the desired amount of fill is reached. Afterwards, the nozzles block any additional flow from occurring as they are raised out of the cylinder.