Engineers from across Europe met in Flimby earlier this month to demonstrate a revolutionary welding technology that will transform the way repairs are carried out in the shipping industry.
Cumbrian engineering solutions firm Forth Engineering invited 12 partners from across Europe to showcase RESURGAM (Robotic Survey, Repair, and Agile Manufacturing), a project that combines in-water Friction Stir Welding (FSW) technology with artificial intelligence and robotics.
The firmhosted partners from across Europe at its Flimby headquarters on Tuesday 16th and Wednesday 17th January for the first demonstrations of the RESURGAM technology, which has been in development for three years.
Partners from Belgium, The Netherlands, Ireland, Turkey, France, Spain, France, Poland, and the UK witnessed the new technology in action for the first time, showcasing Forth’s part in the project, and bringing together expertise from across the continent.
The new technology will enable ship owners to repair vessels in the water, removing the need for a dry dock. The innovative approach will be utilised by shipyards and naval architects across Europe.
Once rolled out across shipyards, RESURGAM will offer significant benefits to specialised repairs – improving safety, cutting costs, and saving time when compared with the existing approach to 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.
“This milestone not only showcases our abilities at Forth, but also puts a spotlight on the effectiveness of the partnership in shaping processes that will ultimately benefit people globally.”
The successful demonstration marked a critical step forward in the journey toward implementing this cutting-edge technology across the shipping industry, bringing forward a new era of efficiency and innovation in maritime repairs.
The first of the demonstrations offered visitors an opportunity to see Forth’s FSW equipment in action out of the water – with a clear view of the welding site.
Partners then watched the process take place underwater – affirming its abilities for commercialisation across the industry.
Numerous smaller and medium-sized shipyards and shipbuilders in Europe face challenges in manufacturing and maintaining large ships due to insufficient resources and capabilities, including finding appropriately sized dry docks.
Robert Sneesby, operations manager at Forth Engineering’s Barrow site, and project manager on RESURGAM, said: “This has been a collaborative effort from start to finish, it’s been fantastic to see everyone in person and show them the progress we’ve made using the FSW technology.
“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.
“We do the work we do to find solutions. We hope that these developments will provide a cost effective solution to problems that are faced globally.”
