Shaft Power Measurement - Using miniaturised radio telemetry strain gauge data acquisition systems, Vipac's engineers are able to measure instantaneous horsepower and R.P.M. on main propulsion or auxiliary machinery. This technique is extremely useful during performance trials, twin screw loading balancing, hull fouling determination, fuel consumption and engine loading measurements. This system requires only 8cm of exposed shafting, is unaffected by harsh marine environments and requires no shaft redesign or disassembly.
Shaft Dynamics - Torsional vibration in diesel propulsion machinery, whirling vibration of line shafting, and ax-ial vibration of thrust blocks are all specific areas of ship design which require special attention to ensure safe and reliable operation. Vipac provides classification society approved design assessments and "T.V. analysers", certification measurements and specialist investigation techniques to solve operational problems.
Machine Vibration - Predictive maintenance programs have the advantage of minimised maintenance costs, avoidance of catastrophic breakdowns as well as scheduling of overhauls and inventory. Vipac carries out periodic vibration surveys of rotating machines to define specific maintenance actions.
Hull and Structural Vibration - Vibration of ship hulls and structures present
major hazards and design limita-tions to the design engineer. An understanding
of these limitations is necessary to anticipate and control vibration levels
which may have adverse effects on the structure of the ship and the comfort of
passengers and crew. Vipac provides techniques such as finite element modelling
for natural frequency calculations and stress analysis of hulls and attached
structures. Prediction of vessel and structure characteristics allows changes to
be made early enough in the design process to make constructional or equipment
changes. Verification of computer models or solving of existing problems can be
made using Modal and Response Shape analysis or by direct measurement of surface
strains. Vipac maintains state-of-the-art structural vibration analysers and
strain measurement equipment to provide efficient diagnosis of your dynamics problems.
Shock - Vipac's engineers undertake applied shock research on transport equipment as well as shock simula-tion to help ship designers deal with the effects of shock resulting from underwater explosions. Numerical shock qualification of large defence equipment is also carried out as an alternative to MIL STD901 testing.
To find out more about these services, please email: