Germany: World’s First Lightweight Composite Gearbox at SMM

Gearbox specialist Mekanord is now launching a gearbox which is up to 30 % lighter than traditional ones. The new product will be introduced at the SMM fair in Germany, and Mekanord is expecting a large, global potential for use in lightweight, high speed and low energy vessels.

Lighter and stronger materials are increasingly being used everywhere in the marine industry and within a few years, they will have completely altered way of thinking about shipbuilding. This is Mekanord’s vision of the future, a vision that will be introduced at SMM in the shape of a new, revolutionary lightweight gearbox where composites are utilized as a part of the design.

“We have more than 30 years of experience in designing, building and refurbishing gearboxes for marine vessels and the demands for gearboxes, one of a vessel’s most vital parts, are getting increasingly higher. One of the demands that we frequently encounter is for high efficiency and low weight“, says CEO at Mekanord, Søren Klyvø, and continues: “This is why we decided two years ago to initiate a scientific project in cooperation with a group of partners, aiming to completely rethink the construction of our gearboxes. The result is a composite gearbox up to 30 % lighter than a traditional one, but which also has a series of other advantages.”

The scientific project gave Mekanord the opportunity to completely rethink the way a gearbox is designed and built. Besides from the weight issue, Mekanord also wanted to address the challenge of reducing noise levels, one of the main reasons why ultra strong composite was chosen as the perfect material. A common use for composite is the construction of fighter jets:

“With the right formula, composite has some completely unique qualities that neither iron nor steel can match. It is a light, strong and rigid material and at the same time very flexible to work with in the production processes. Also, we have designed the new gearbox so that it is much easier – and thereby much cheaper – to service,” says Søren Klyvø.

To begin with, Søren Klyvø is expecting a strong interest from shipbuilders and ship architects operating within the field of lightweight boats and catamarans to whom weight is a deciding factor. But also from the yacht segment where ship builders and customers often request the best of the best, Mekanord is expecting a high demand.

The revolutionary new product will be introduced to the public for the first time at the SMM fair in the beginning of September. Mekanord will be hosting an official product launch on Tuesday 4 September at 5 PM in Conference Room Denmark, hall B1. Those interested are of course also very welcome to visit Mekanord at booth 118, hall B1.EG.

[mappress]

Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, September 3, 2012