Condition Monitoring Technologies (CMT) GmbH, Germany, has developed a flexible thruster monitor for the marine and offshore industry whose aim is to predict failures at the earliest possible stage, thus avoiding costly unplanned repairs, adjustments and downtimes, the German company said. In the modern shipping and offshore industry, unplanned thruster repairs and adjustments - both in dry dock and in situ - always lead to enormous costs, loss of productivity and decreased competitiveness. CMT has developed a unique flexible thruster monitor that ensures that any damage, wear or necessary adjustments are identified immediately, allowing preventative action to be taken. The CMT thruster monitor system is unique in that it provides real-time feedback on a whole range of both oil and vibration parameters, providing unparalleled comprehensive control and security. The fully automated system is said to be ideal for both new- buildings and retrofits as it can be easily combined with any existing thruster and ship management systems to create a single easy-to-use master system.
Avoid unnecessary changes of the thruster
According to CMT, it serves as a reliable early-warning system that ensures cost-effective operations by extending the intervals between class surveys, thus reducing dry-docking times and increasing the availability of ships and rigs. The CMT thruster monitor is designed for propulsion and positioning thrusters (tunnel and azimuth thrusters). It can be used for all brands and types of thruster, and comprises a fully modular system providing tailor-made solutions for all individual requirements, the company said. The system helps ship and rig operators to meet the CBM (condition-based maintenance) requirements specified by classification societies, and allows proactive maintenance and operational decisions based on actual thruster condition. According to the company it provides on-screen trending of all parameters and can be remotely accessed at all times using a standard internet connection.
Source/image: courtesy of CMT