Leading European engineers have met in Flimby for a world-first demonstration of brand new welding technology that could transform repairs in the shipping industry.
The two-day event, which was organised by Cumbria-based pioneers Forth Engineering, congregated on Tuesday 16 and Wednesday, January 17.
The company showcased its latest RESURGAM (Robotic Survey, Repair and Agile Manufacturing) technology, a project that employs a forward-thinking blend of in-water Friction Stir Welding (FSW), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and robotics.
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Partners from Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland, Turkey, France, Spain, Poland, and the UK attended the event.
RESURGAM promises a new dawn for the shipping industry, offering vessel owners the facility to mend their ships in water, negating the necessity of a dry dock.
It will facilitate improved safety, significant cost reduction, and time-saving benefits over the traditional method of hull repairs.
Mark Telford, managing director at Forth Engineering, said: "Hosting our Europe-wide partners here in Flimby has been excellent, this is a world-first happening right here in West Cumbria and a real showcase of what we’re capable of in this region."
In the first demonstration, visitors saw the FSW equipment performing out of the water.
The second half saw the visitors observe the same procedure under-water, showcasing the technology's potential for commercial applications.
Robert Sneesby, operations manager at Forth Engineering’s Barrow site, and project manager on RESURGAM, said: "The opportunity to demonstrate the detailed prototype underwater in front of the people who helped make it possible has been a great success.
"It's a testament to the collective dedication and expertise that has fueled this project."
In the face of palpable challenges encountered by European shipyards and shipbuilders due to a lack of resources, including of aptly sized dry docks, the project underscores the value of international collaboration toward creating solutions.
This sentiment was echoed by Sara Fernandes, project manager of the EWF and RESURGAM, who said: "We’re very happy with the developments that have been made at Forth - it’s been wonderful to see the technology in action alongside our partners - this is a very exciting step."
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