3 November, 2024

Charting the right course to efficiency in the marine industry

09 October, 2018

Spokespeople from British Fluid Power Association member companies Phoenix Hydraulics, Hydraproducts UK and Rotec Hydraulics consider some of the challenges associated with effective use and maintenance of fluid power systems and related equipment within the marine sector.


One of the most challenging industry sectors for engineering sciences has to be marine, where technology must be designed and built to withstand the demanding conditions associated with the open seas. Therefore, within the fluid power and related systems and equipment industry, providers to the marine sector need to ensure their products are designed and built to be 100% fit for purpose.

Arguably the most glamorous market segment within the marine industry is superyachts. As many superyachts are based in warmer climes, such as the Mediterranean, the Caribbean or Dubai, the operation and maintenance of electro-hydraulic systems should be performed with equipment that can function effectively in very high temperatures.

Phoenix Hydraulics specialises in the design, manufacture and installation of complete hydraulic systems for boats. The company’s products – all designed and manufactured in the UK – include hydraulic tender lifts, bathing platforms, balconies, stainless steel hydraulic cylinders and other large moving systems needed on board. All the company’s systems are designed and manufactured in its 20,000 sq ft factory facility in the midlands.

Monitoring

Additionally, Phoenix Hydraulics is now able to install a PLC system to a boat’s ethernet network, enabling Phoenix to monitor the equipment remotely from its head office – e.g. if a bathing platform with a safe working load of 2500 kg is subjected to 3000 kg, the hydraulic cylinders will recognise the overload and sensors will alert us that the system is being compromised. “Usually with a safe working load of 130kg, our passerelles are positioned in a box behind the steps and are used for boarding/alighting a boat – should the passerelles be subjected to excessive loads, the latest satellite monitoring technology will alert us immediately,” explains Phoenix Hydraulics’ director & general manager, Elizabeth Noles, “In normal working circumstances, the passerelle will inform us when maintenance is required - the replacement of filters, the changing of hydraulic hoses, an oil change, etc. To ensure the equipment remains in optimum working condition, we will arrange for maintenance engineers to complete the work at a convenient time.”

Concept to design

Rotec Hydraulics Ltd. is another company active within the marine sector, covering both commercial and pleasure applications. Rotec provides service and installation facilities to the local and national fishing fleets, as well as operating systems for fuel, fire and hydraulic services fitted to luxury yachts.

Within the bespoke luxury yacht market, Paul Prouse, managing director at Rotec Hydraulics Ltd., makes the point that time from concept to design based on budget can be difficult to predict as there can be many factors that increase design time over the original estimation. “Customers may have been working for much longer periods (months/years) on their design concept requirements, and when it comes to our part timescales are often short in relation to the overall project timescales,” he said. “What could be classed as R&D work for bespoke projects is not always thought about/included in project costings and timescales, which adds pressure on designers to get it perfect first time.”




Events
 
  • EIMA International 24
    06 November, 2024, 9:00 - 10 November, 2024, 18:30
    Bologna, Italy
  • AEMT Awards
    21 November, 2024
    Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, Coventry
  • The BCAS luncheon
    21 November, 2024
    The Grand Hotel, 1 Church St, Birmingham B3 2FE
  • LAMMA Show 2025
    15 January, 2025, 8:30 - 16 January, 2025, 16:30
    NEC, Birmingham UK
Buyers' Guide Search
 
Search for UK supplier by name
Browse by Product Group.
Magazine
OCTOBER 2024 IssueTo view a digital copy of the OCTOBER 2024 edition of Hydraulics & Pneumatics Magazine, click here.

For a FREE subscription please click here

To visit the Library for past issues click here

SEPTEMBER 2024 IssueTo view a digital copy of the SEPTEMBER 2024 edition of Hydraulics & Pneumatics Magazine, click here.

For a FREE subscription please click here

To visit the Library for past issues click here

JULY/AUGUST 2024To view a digital copy of the JULY/AUGUST 2024 edition of Hydraulics & Pneumatics Magazine, click here.

For a FREE subscription please click here

To visit the Library for past issues click here

BFPA YearbookTo read the latest BFPA Yearbook, click here ..
BFPA Training AcademyClick the image to go to the BFPA Training Academy website
Compressed Air & Vacuum Technology Guide 2018To read the official BCAS Compressed Air & Vacuum Technology Guide 2018 click here
Offshore Europe Journal
Newsletter
 
Newsletter