Ground-breaking Project successfully crosses the Atlantic Ocean

A pioneering project, supported by Rotec Hydraulics Ltd, has achieved a fully autonomous ship sail across the Atlantic Ocean.

Solo and unaided, the Mayflower Autonomous Research Ship (MAS) set sail from Plymouth harbour in the UK and reached its end destination of Plymouth USA on 30th June 2022 after 36 days at sea and 3,900 miles, having made two stops in Horta (Azores) and Halifax (Canada).

The futuristic vessel was powered by AI and powered using renewable solar energy technology, and a backup diesel generator for night sailing. Throughout the journey, the vessel collected data that researchers hope will provide critical information in the battle to safeguard the future of our oceans. A challenging project relied on a diverse team that spanned 10 countries and 3 continents, including Rotec Hydraulics Ltd.

ProMare, a US based non-profit organisation with a branch in Plymouth UK, teamed up with IBM to build the third Mayflower and asked Rotec to supply a range of hoses and hose assemblies to support the project. Rotec was also pleased to be able to help spread the word of crowdfunding efforts at the start of the project.

Brett Phaneuf, Managing Director of the MAS Project, commented:

 “[The Mayflower Project is] ushering us into a new phase of oceanographic and climatological research with state-of-the-art technology.”

Paddy Dowsett – Project Manager, MSubs says:

“This project brings a number of new  technologies together in a way that hasn’t been done before. There are some smaller autonomous crafts in existence, however nothing anywhere near this scale in terms of size and technicality.”

Find out more about the project, including live video stream when the vehicle is on a mission and footage from previous journeys at https://www.mas400.com/.

Rotec deliver custom upgrade and HPU builds for leading manufacturer

Recently designed and manufactured, engineers at Rotec Hydraulics Ltd have completed a bespoke project for a market-leading manufacturer.

The British-based company specialise in the manufacture of electronic valve actuators for large fluid flow applications, for example within the oil and gas, water and power industries. The actuators produced are a considerable size and as such, part of the development process includes dynamic load testing. The actuators connect to a test cylinder via a screw thread; as the actuators move the screw thread up and down, this in turn pushes and pulls a hydraulic cylinder.

 Full of hydraulic fluid, the operators were manually operating needle valves to restrict the flow of the hydraulic fluid within the cylinders in order to vary the amount of load on the actuator. Thus, Rotec design engineers developed two key upgrades to this current setup which were:

  • Electrify the load control valves so they can be operated by a computer.
  • Create a power pack which can induce a given pressure inside the test cylinder bores.

 The newly custom-designed system reuses the current cylinders that vary in size from 63mm in diameter to 203mm. To accommodate for this, different sized stands with varying tank sizes have been manufactured to accommodate the extra capacity whilst the control components remain the same. The stands consist of:

  • A custom powder coated steel frame.
  • An aluminium reservoir.
  • Dual electronic proportional pressure relief valves.
  • Dual manual needle valves.
  • Dual ball valves.
  • Quick connect ports for the power pack to connect to.
  • Output ports which connect to the test cylinder.

In addition to this, Rotec developed and built three identical standalone hydraulic power unit (HPU) systems which can create steady state pressures inside the test cylinders bores to eradicate erroneous pressure lag errors. Features include:

  • Powder coated mild steel tank construction.
  • 3 phase motor coupled to a gear pump.
  • Air blast oil cooler.
  • Direction control valve.
  • Dual proportional relief valve.
  • Electronic control box.
  • Stainless steel tool tray.
  • Whole unit is mounted on castors for easy manoeuvrability.

For more information on Rotec’s capabilities, including project case studies, visit www.rotec.net.

Stroud Engineers Deliver Major Refurbishment Projects at BMW

Rotec engineers carried out a major refurbishment of the Feed Line and Press at a BMW plant in Gloucestershire.

Over 160 hydraulic hoses on the Feed Line, and 66 hoses on the Major Press were removed and new hoses made and fitted.

This was a challenging job due to the complexity of the machinery and included hoses on the Feed Line HPU (hydraulic power unit), Press and Overload/Protection/Lubrication HPUs. Feed Line Pneumatic cylinders, valves and tubings were also supplied and fitted, in addtion to a total of 48 existing hydraulic cylinders on the Feed Line removed and new cylinders fitted.

Further work taken on the Feed Line, Press and Overload/Protection/Lubrication HPUs included:

  • Draining of the working fluid and cleaning of the reservoir.
  • Replacement of pressure and return hydraulic filters, pressure and return.
  • Replacement of pressure and return hydraulic filters, pressure and return.
  • Resealing of duplex filter block.
  • Removal of existing and refitting of new motor pump sets.
  • Thorough cleaning and inspection.
  • Removal of existing and refitting of new air blast coolers.

All refurbishment works were carried out on time, in budget and to the client’s expectations and standards.

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Rotec Deliver Vessel Overhaul at A&P Falmouth

Rotec’s Electrical Mechanical Services team have recently carried out significant maintenance and overhaul works on the vessel Norbay at A&P Falmouth.

Originally built in Rotterdam in 1994, Norbay and her sister Norbank were two of the first of a new generation of ‘super freighters’. The vessel is currently used as a car, passenger and freight ferry in the Irish Sea for P&O Ferries.

Specialists in alternators and generators, Rotec’s Electrical Mechanical engineers have completed a significant overhaul project on the vessel Norbay, on-site at A&P Falmouth. The work included:

  • On-site Aft Bow Thrust Overhaul inc. internal inspection, replacement bearings, rebuild, testing and full works report
  • Port Alternator Clean and Bearing Change
  • Main Vehicle Deck Aft Cargo Fan Overhaul inc. collection from dockside to Rotec workshop inspection, steam clean, re varnish, new bearings, dynamic balancing, testing and reinstall
  • Cargo Fans motors overhaul.

The work carried out will ensure the continued performance and availability of the vessel. Greg Sandy, Business Development Manager and part of Rotec’s Electrical mechanical Services team said:

“Rotec are proud of their strong relationship and partnership with A&P Group in Falmouth, which sees us providing quality services and solutions.

“Our extensive range of services and products, combined with the experience and knowledge of our technical team has given us the well-deserved reputation for being a trusted provider of quality Electrical Mechanical Services.”

Rotec have been trading for over 30 years and take pride in delivering project specific solutions, sustainable results and added value to their clients. For more information on our Electrical Mechanical Services offer, click here.

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Rotec Celebrate as Double Finalists at the Somerset Business Awards 2022

Rotec Hydraulics Ltd celebrates being double finalists at this year’s prestigious Somerset Business Awards (SBAs) for ‘Best Use of Technology’ and ‘Somerset Manufacturer and Producer’ Award.

The awards, run annually by the Somerset Chamber of Commerce, received a record- breaking number of entries and only the most outstanding businesses with a head office in Somerset were named finalists.

Our investment and integration of Parker Internet of Things (IoT) technology earned us a place at the grand final in the ‘Best Use of Technology’ award category. IoT enables engineers to remotely control and monitor various performance and safety parameters using strategically placed, wireless sensors to provide data and control systems over the internet.

Named finalist for the ‘Somerset Manufacturer and Producer of the year’ category is testament to the team’s innovative development of several bespoke winch systems for both leading regional and national names within the Utilities sector.

Somerset Chamber Executive Director, Emma Rawlings, said,

“These awards are the largest in Somerset and are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate all that
is great about [Somerset’s] diverse business community.”

Paul Prouse, Managing Director, commented,

“Being named finalist in two categories is a testament to our team who have continued to provide solutions and outstanding products and services to our customers throughout a challenging period for all businesses.

“Investing in and utilising cutting-edge technologies and providing innovative solutions for our clients has always been at the heart of our business.”

The winners were announced at the Grand Final on 11th March, which celebrated the extraordinary organisations within the county of Somerset. Rotec finished as double finalists – a great achievement amongst such a high calibre of local businesses.

Pictured below (left to right): Roger Carne, Paul Prouse, Rachel Worth, Richard Lang, Mark Conniff, Josie Chamberlain, Richard Renfree and Andy Rimes.

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Rotec named finalists in two categories at Somerset Business Awards 2022

Rotec Hydraulics Ltd has been announced as a finalist in two categories at the Somerset Business Awards 2022 – ‘Best Use of Technology’ and ‘Somerset Manufacturer and Producer’ Award.

The awards, run annually by the Somerset Chamber of Commerce, received a record-breaking number of entries and only the most outstanding businesses that Somerset has to offer have been named finalists. 

Rotec’s business ethos is to embrace new and emerging technologies, in order to provide their clients with robust and innovative solutions. Their investment in Parker Internet of Things (IoT) technology has earned them a place at the grand final in the ‘Best Use of Technology’ award category.

IoT enables engineers to remotely control and monitor various performance and safety parameters using strategically placed, wireless sensors to provide data and control systems over the internet.

IoT technology can lead to a reduction in downtime, better response rates and speed of intervention for predictive maintenance. For more, visit the Rotec website.

Named finalist for the ‘Somerset Manufacturer and Producer of the year’ category at this years’ awards is testament to Rotec’s innovative development of several bespoke winch systems for both leading regional and national names within the Utilities sector. Rotec is proud to have a team with diverse skill sets and capabilities including specialist design engineers, allowing them to be able to deliver on such challenging projects.

Somerset Chamber Executive Director, Emma Rawlings, said,

“These awards are the largest in Somerset and are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate all that is great about [Somerset’s] diverse business community and I’m looking forward to the grand final next month.”

Paul Prouse, Managing Director of Rotec Hydraulics, commented,

“We’re delighted to be announcing Rotec has been named a double finalist at the 2022 Somerset Business Awards. We have been named among the most innovative and forward-thinking businesses operating in the county.

 

“Being named finalist in two categories is a testament to our fantastic, and diverse team of employees who have continued to provide solutions and outstanding products and services to our customers throughout a challenging period for all businesses.

 

“We are extremely proud to have been named finalists for two Somerset Business awards. Investing in and utilising cutting-edge technologies and providing innovative solutions for our clients has always been at the heart of our business.”

This year is the 17th anniversary of the awards with the grand final taking place at the Winter Gardens Pavilion, in Weston-super-Mare, on 11th March, hosted by BBC presenter and journalist, Claire Carter. To find out more, click here.

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