French shipyard invests in laser-hybrid technology
STX France SA, French maritime construction and fleet service company, has invested in new PEMA laser-hybrid technology to increase its capacity for larger cruisers and highly complex ships and also offshore installations.
The French shipyard needed to optimise and boost its deck panel welding offering – mainly to eliminate deformations and work hours needed for fine-tuning. So it looked towards to modernising and replacing its older panel welding and milling machinery with new laser-hybrid technology.
Floret Camaret, project investment manager, STX France, said: “As the order book is full, it’s time for improvements and investments in faster and better quality processes. That’s why we invested in a machine able to make the work of three actual machines of the workshop.”
PEMA’s solution to meet STX’s needs was a highly-advanced PEMA M & OSW-LHAW 20200, integrated one sided laser-hybrid welding and milling station with extensive conveyor solution.
The technology needed to be able to minimise distortion of the deck panels and eliminate excess hours of rework, so a heavy duty milling station was integrated in the machine.
Additionally, and at the heart of the investment, was for the need for the machine to feed two of STX’s already existing panel lines, hence a special conveyor including PEMA technology was adapted to the system.
STX France is known for its work in delivering the largest cruise ship in the world, the Harmony of the Seas, to RCCL. The ship is 362m long and 66m wide, with a capacity for 6360 passengers and 2100 crew.
By Anne-Marie Causer
