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All-electric tube bender provides production versatility for submarine builder
12/6/2011 |
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Barrow-in-Furness, UK, November 10, 2011 --- A second state-of-the-art tube bending machine has been ordered by BAE Systems Submarine Solutions to support the construction of the UK's Astute class nuclear-powered submarines.
The new tube bending machine is an all-electric model with precision software-controlled servomotor movement, for bending tube diameters up to 76 mm. It also features an advanced laser measurement system that monitors any deviations to the programmed bend caused by the tubing material's 'springback' characteristics, and then automatically adjusts the bend to produce the correct shape.
These features equip BAE Systems to handle the very demanding workload of the Astute submarine programme. This involves producing a large number of complex tubular parts, often in small quantities and from expensive alloys such as corrosion-resistant cupronickel, just-in-time to meet the demanding production requirements as work progresses along the vessel.
The need for the new machine arose as a result of a decision to replace an ageing hydraulically-powered tube bender. Unison won the tender in competition against two other major machine suppliers. BAE Systems' experience with all-electric tube bending - which started with the installation of a 20mm Unison machine in 2008 - was an important factor in the decision.
The elimination of scrap provided by Unison's springback correction system, which is believed to be unique on the tube bending market, was another important criteria. This new technology is already in use at the company's sister site in Scotstoun, UK where BAE Systems Surface Ships is employing a laser-measurement-equipped Unison bender on the construction of the Royal Navy's Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers.
A reduction in power consumption provided a further important advantage. As the all-electric Unison machine has no need to run a hydraulic pump continuously, a significant level of electricity is only required when the machine is actually forming a bend, so energy consumption is reduced substantially, typically by around 90%.
Additionally, Unison had to design the machine so that it would accept all of the existing tooling for the old 60 mm hydraulic machine, and develop a software link to BAE Systems' central database, where the construction information is stored. This utility automatically creates a bending program from the part specification, allowing the business to set up the bender for a new part in seconds, if the tooling is already on the machine.
The seven-boat Astute programme is one of the largest and most complex engineering projects under way in the UK today. An Astute class submarine has a million individual components and 10,000 separate design and engineering requirements. The first-of-class HMS Astute has been handed over to the Royal Navy and is completing sea trials before going into operational service. Second-of-class Ambush is undergoing final commissioning and testing at Barrow before leaving for sea trials. Boats 3, 4 and 5 are in various stages of build and steel is due to be cut on the sixth submarine next year.
"All-electric benders are ideally suited to the naval boat building environment, as their software-controlled set up provides versatile support for the constantly changing workload," says Jim Saynor of Unison. "With material costs spiralling we have seen an upsurge in demand for our springback correction system as well, and this feature should eliminate virtually all of the scrap wastage that can be commonly generated when manually setting up a hydraulic machine for a precision bend."
The machine will be delivered at the end of Q1, 2012.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
A new generation of submarine
The Astute Class submarine, designed and built by BAE Systems, is a next generation nuclear powered submarine that is the largest and most able attack submarine that the Royal Navy has operated, with a performance to rival any in the world. Astute is a potent and invisible threat, a stealthy protector in territorial waters and in the depths of the open oceans. The 2011 Strategic Defence and Security Review confirmed the UK Government's commitment to the seven boat Astute class. The submarine's role as an undersea hunter-killer relies on her being stealthier than her underwater environment. It will undertake a range of tasks including intelligence gathering, support for land forces and anti-submarine warfare. Designed to operate in isolation or as part of a joint military task force with other naval vessels, aircraft and land forces, HMS Astute's challenge is to remain undetected, thousands of miles from home and at depth underwater, while still being able to communicate securely and effectively with allied forces via satellite. HMS Astute has greater weapons capability, improved communications facilities and enhanced capability to operate in the littoral in comparison with the existing Swiftsure and Trafalgar (S&T) Class in service at present. A powerful threat to enemy ships and submarines, the submarine also has formidable firepower against land targets. Armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles she can strike at targets up to 1,000 km from the coast with pin-point accuracy. Further information about the Astute class is available on http://www.astuteclass.com/
BAE Systems
BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery, and support of advanced defence and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea, and in space. The Company designs, manufactures, and supports military aircraft, combat vehicles, surface ships, submarines, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, and guided weapon systems. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years and is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defence systems. BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The Company employs more than 100,000 people and generates annual sales of more than US$22 billion through its wholly owned and joint-venture operations. |
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