NEW MANIPULATOR ARM  PROTECTS CREW FROM  HAZARDOUS MANOEUVRES

The new hydraulic manipulator arms with force feedback function as extensions of  the operator’s own arms. They can lift, grip, turn and rotate a number of different  components while at the same time the operator can easily feel the forces in play through the sensitive control system.

“The ODIM RAHS™ (Remote Anchor Handling System) test programme is in progress. If as expected all results are positive, it won’t be long before we can start delivering a finished product,” says Project Manager Alf Gunnar Skogen. He is standing in the production hall at  ODIM in Hjørungavåg looking at the prototype of a manipulator arm for anchor handling vessels that has been mounted on a test rig. He has worked on the project that will contribute to increasing levels of safe working on deck during anchor handling operations for more than three years, and knows that the objective of developing a remote-controlled manipulator will soon have been achieved.

A CHALLENGE FROM THE OIL COMPANIES

“The project is a co-operative effort between A.P. Møller, Innovation Norway, Statoil and ODIM,” Skogen tells us. It was originally the oil companies that issued a challenge to the shipowners, naval archi-tects and equipment suppliers to develop safer anchor handling operations. He continues; “The co-operating participants have had the clearly defined objective of developing a work deck where the crew is protected from dangerous work operations. Even though one of the major oil companies has participated in the project, this is a product that ODIM can sell freely to all those who are interested in the solution.”

SAFE DECKS

The manipulator arm from ODIM is mount-ed on a beam on a traverse crane that can be run over the deck of an anchor-handling vessel. Two arms work together with other equipment, including a QS connector that replaces the traditional shackle. This means that it is not necessary for the crew to be on deck when the anchors are being handled. In addition to the gains in safe operation, the manipulator arm can also cut down on time usage in connection with anchor handling operations.The equipment is remotely controlled from the bridge, where a crewmember experienced in the operation operates the equipment from a dedicated work place.“Each arm can handle in the region of 300 kilograms, and is not simply a piece of ordinary lifting equipment. It replaces the human effort involved, and performs the tasks that deck crew normally carry out in hazardous anchor handling operations,” explains Alf Gunnar Skogen.

ADVANCED ENGINEERING

“Is this a product that has demanded major resources in development?”“ The manipulator is both complex and tech-nically advanced, in particular the control systems. We have had three to four ODIM employees engaged full time on the project during recent months, with assistance from several others – as well as from external  co-operating partners.”“And now you can see that you are getting close to completion?”“Yes, all trials thus far have been highly successful. Working on a project of this calibre has been exciting and interesting, and the high point will be when we present a demonstration for our co-operating partners and customers and they realise how good the solution really is. The manipulator will be able to pour a cup of coffee from a  thermos,” laughs Alf Gunnar Skogen.