line minimises the number of individual components and greatly simplifies machine set-up and disassembly time. Flange facers are one of three types


of portable tools most oſten supplied by Climax to the ship repair and conversion sectors. The others are the company’s boring bars and linear mills. Climax is continuing to invest in


upgrading its existing technology. Phil Bauder says: “We are aiming to make our tools more portable and more powerful. Developing smaller, lighter tools makes it possible to carry them onto different vessel types and carry out repairs, so that effectively the yard can do anything onboard that shore-based workshop facilities can do.” Another focus of Climax R&D effort


is to make its tools more user friendly. Mr Bauder adds: “Typically our tools can be set up in 30-40 minutes, whereas customers tend to have the preconceived idea that they will have to do extensive assembly work first - so they are oſten pleasantly surprised. We also offer a comprehensive training programme that comes with the machine.” Climax cites a number of projects


where its machine tools have proved their worth in a shiprepair setting. For example, Norse Cutting & Abandonment, a service company in Stavanger, Norway, had a contract to square up eight steel plates that had warped aſter being welded into place on the cargo vessel, Odin, which was being converted into a mobile drilling rig. The plates had to be milled within 1mm and laser aligned to the other plates


to later accept the oil tanks. Since such structures are immovable, and grinding does not provide the needed precision, portable machine tools were considered to be the only answer. Climax engineers helped to identify the best solution as well as provide precise tools – in this case a LM6000 portable linear mill - and training. Climax rose to the challenge, helping Norse to finish the job in 18 days, three days earlier than scheduled. As a result of its expertise in this


unusual application, Climax has subsequently been called on to provide similar services for other conversion jobs. For example, Climax lent its experience to a ship conversion in the Gulf of Mexico and another in the Ukraine. A further, time-sensitive challenge was


presented to L.A. Maritime Services, a company that specialises in marine diesel engine repair and specialty engineering services. One customer, experiencing cracks on the cylinder liners of one of its ship’s diesel engines, commissioned the company to discover the cause of the problem, to repair the damage, and also offer a way to prevent it from reoccurring. L.A. Maritime’s solution combined


the expertise of MAN B&W, the engine’s manufacturer, and Climax. Removing the liners would have been a time-consuming process and would seriously impact the customer’s shipping schedule. Instead, L.A. Maritime rented a Climax flange facer and made the necessary repairs on-site. Te process entailed the removal of damaged material, which was caused from


excessive heat. Tis not only eliminated existing cracks but also improved the cooling of the cylinder liner to prevent new cracks from reappearing. The repair of eight cylinders on each of the customer’s several ships was a protected project, with one to three cylinders repaired each time a ship was in port. Although the flange facer is designed


for versatility and to perform a variety of roles – L.A. Maritime used the tool for the placement of anti-polishing rings into cylinder liners, the surface smoothing of engine block components and the repair of shipboard cranes – reserving and renting the machine at the specific times it was needed proved to be the most cost-effective option. Indeed, Climax points out that many of its clients in the ship repair and conversion sector source equipment by renting, rather than buying, a reflection of the irregular nature of much repair work. To support this demand, the company


has set up a network of distributors and rental stations worldwide. Phil Bauder says: “These depots provide quick access to portable machine tools for yards when they are called upon to carry out repairs, sometimes within a short time window.” Currently Climax serves its customers


through offices and licenced representatives in 26 countries. It also has rental depots in a number of locations in the USA, Mexico and Canada, as well as Cologne, London and Singapore. Further rental depots are expected to be added over the coming months to meet rising demand in different parts of the world. SRCT


Shiprepair and Conversion Technology 3rd Quarter 2010


25


Feature 4


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