BELFAST YARD INVESTS IN ROBOTICS

The MicroTwin gantry-borne system supplied by the Danish company Inrotech has been specifically designed for the automated welding of micro panels, sub-assemblies, T-profiles and small parts in ship production and can be used for other applications. Incorporating twin robotic welding arms, the setup is able to conduct simultaneous welding of multiple profile stiffeners in either X or Y plane.

The gantry mounting the two robots is of compact, lightweight form, and the integral scanning technology locates stiffeners on panels whereupon welding proceeds fully automatically.

The MicroTwin system obviates the need for transfer of CAD drawings and off-line programming. The arrangement supplied to Belfast entails a 5m gantry width with two production areas each 12.5m x 4.5m, whereby welding takes place in one zone, while the other can be used for fitting or finishing.

Steven Wright, yard manager at Harland & Wolff (Belfast) said “The purchase and installation of the new micro-panel robotic welder is of huge importance to H&W; not only does it demonstrate our commitment to long-term investment in the yard, but allows for greater steel throughput within our fabrication shops.”

London-based energy group InfraStrata purchased the principal assets of Harland & Wolff in 2019 after the yard went into administration following the bankruptcy of its previous, Norwegian owner.

Since reopening, the yard has been busy with mainly shipyard docking services, and InfraStrata has implemented a broad-based business development strategy, encompassing shiprepair and refurbishment, steelwork fabrication and renewables, and has laid the ground for a return to vessel construction. Projects which are being pursued in the latter field include two 200m windfarm development vessels and, in conjunction with Navantia of Spain, the next generation of fleet solid support ships for the UK’s Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

InfraStrata has also acquired the Appledore shipyard from the Babcock Group and, most recently, two Scottish sites which had been owned by Burntisland Fabrication. The Methil and Arnish sites are in close proximity to a number of offshore windfarm schemes.