Shipbuilding Applications News

Shipbuilder Fincantieri said it has partnered with Mapei, a producer of adhesives and chemical products for the construction sector with a business line of shipbuilding industry products, in the field of research and innovation. According to Fincantieri, the strategic cooperation agreement will help it to optimize installation times, reduce the weight of certain materials, improve acoustic insulation by using specific products, develop and extend the use of adhesives products in some shipbuilding applications. Mapei will aim to carry out projects, leading to exploitable solutions in its operational field. The cross-joint research issues will mainly concern the development of innovative products in a wide range…

Miller Electric Mfg. Co. is showcasing welding equipment technologies to enhance quality, productivity and cost savings in the shipbuilding industry during the International WorkBoat Show at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, November 30 to December 2. Miller will be located at booth 3141, where visitors can view products, experience live welding demonstrations and speak with Miller representatives who can answer product and welding questions. Hobart will also be displaying its filler metals for shipbuilding applications alongside Miller. ArcReach multiprocess welding systems: ArcReach Technology allows welding operators to change welding parameters at the weld joint without the use of control cables…

Since weld distortion is a very costly problem for U.S. shipyards, the National Shipbuidling Research Program (NSRP) has embarked on a project to reduce weld distortion through innovative Induction Heat process. A new welding process -- HiDep Arc Welding -- has been invented, which uses induction heating  to heat the weld joint ahead of the arc Welding torch. By adjusting the induction heating it is possible to modify the thermal profile of the weld to prevent the asymmetrical cooling which causes most weld distortion. The process essentially substitutes induction heating instead of the arc plasma, to heat the metal being welded. The arc plasma, which occurs at the tip of the wire electrode, then is used primarily to melt the electrode.

JA Moody, a national distributor for product lines in the navy and commercial marine marketplace, is now a Viega Marine Distributor for the U.S. shipbuilding and offshore markets. Founded in 1899, The Viega Group manufactures and distributes plumbing, heating and pipe joining systems, currently offering more than 3,000 products in North America. Viega manufactures and distributes shipbuilding and offshore piping solutions and claims to be the only manufacturer to offer press fittings in multiple pipe joining materials. Viega ProPress, Viega SeaPress and Viega MegaPress systems can reduce installation time and improve performance in marine markets including megayachts, commercial vessels, military vessels and oil platforms, the manufacturer said.

FARO Technologies, Inc., a 3D measurement, imaging and realization technology company, announced the release of the new FARO Laser Scanner Focus3D X 130. According to the manufacturer, the Focus3D X 130, the newest member of Focus3D X Series range of laser scanners, delivers tremendous power, compact design and the flexibility to perform laser scanning in both indoor and outdoor environments. With a scanning range of 130 meters, this laser scanner is suited for mid-range scanning applications such as architecture…

New UltraCore HD-C Wire from Lincoln Electric Provides High Deposition Rates in All Positions for Shipbuilding and Many Other Applications. UltraCore® HD-C is a mild-steel gas-shielded flux-cored wire produced by Lincoln Electric. It’s an ideal choice for out-of-position welding requirements with 100 percent CO2 in the shipbuilding industry and other fabrication applications. Designed to provide high deposition rates and a flat bead appearance in all positions, UltraCore HD-C delivers premium arc performance and fast-freezing slag with a low fume-generation rate. UltraCore HD-C has a wide operating range and is able to reach deposition rates of up to 10 lbs/hour, even in out-of-position applications.

When it comes to shipbuilding, welding is a vital and fundamental manufacturing process in the construction of ships and metal hull boats. At the American Welding Society (AWS) 6th Annual Charting the Course in Welding: US Shipyards Conference, attendees will learn the progress of new and innovative developments, as well as how their potential value and impact to the industry is essential for those in the shipbuilding community. The 2011 Shipbuilding Conference which takes place May 10-11 in Seattle, Washington, will also address the critical importance of welding in the shipbuilding industry by providing current information on new and emerging technologies being developed for shipbuilding applications.

At the American Welding Society (AWS) 6th Annual Charting the Course in Welding: US Shipyards Conference, attendees will learn the progress of new and innovative developments, as well as how their potential value and impact to the industry is essential for those in the shipbuilding community. The 2009 Shipbuilding Conference which takes place June 16-17, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana, will also address the critical importance of welding in the shipbuilding industry by providing current information on new and emerging technologies being developed for shipbuilding applications. In addition to the formal sessions being presented, the conference will provide several opportunities to network informally with experts from academia and industry, as well as with conference participants.

Scheduled for a September 2003 release, the next major revision of the 3-D product modeling software for shipbuilding and offshore platforms from Albacore Research Ltd., ShipConstructor2004, will include a full Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning module (HVAC). HVAC is a fully integrated member of the ShipConstructor suite of Structure, Automatic and Manual Nest, NC Code generation, Outfit, Pipe, Fairing, and Lofting tools. To facilitate automatic report generation, HVAC makes full use of ShipConstructor's SQL Server product database. As with all ShipConstructor modules, HVAC is a full 3-D modeling package; this reduces drafting errors and time-to-production. With ShipConstructor, HVAC ducts are full-featured AutoCAD entities.

The European welding equipment and consumables market for shipbuilding applications is facing mounting competition from suppliers based in East Asia. However, healthy orders from shipyards over the next three years will boost revenues for welding equipment and consumable manufacturers. At the same time, the intensifying trend towards automation in shipyards will help to support revenue growth. revenues of $43.2 million in 2006 and is estimated to reach $70.1 million in 2013, while the European welding consumables market for shipbuilding applications earned revenues of $61.5 million in 2006 and is projected to achieve $99.8 million in 2013. The market is currently in an upswing owing to dynamic developments in the European shipbuilding industry.