Marco vahrmeijer:
THIS IS WHAT MAKES OUR MECHANICAL DEPARTMENT SPECIAL
Fine-tuning or making a part for Tata Steel roller mills more robust? Realizing a radio frequency-tight test chamber for huge wind turbine components from Siemens? Or design of a Diving Board to supply an Ariane 4 rocket of ESA with liquid Helium? Our employees at the Mechanical department in Amsterdam do not break a sweat.
In Amsterdam, highly trained engineers work on custom solutions in 3D modeling combined with Finite Element software. In this way, they ensure that (parts of) machines and equipment do what they’re supposed to do, solve problems or make adjustments according the customer's wishes. Their technological feats are used all over the world, but their roots lie in the Dutch heavy industry. ‘The department was created because we were increasingly commissioned by the then Hoogovens to make modifications to their machines,’ says Discipline Manager Marco Vahrmeijer. ‘They bought their machines from suppliers, but in practice, adjustments were and are often necessary to get them completely according to their wishes or Tata-proof. That is why current Tata Steel also relies on our knowledge and skills for this.’ Finite element software
What makes the department special? ‘Our design knowledge with the help of scanning, 3D modeling and the use of Finite Element calculation software,’ explains Marco, ‘We are happy to use that expertise for various clients. In addition to Tata Steel, for example, Comtest. From them we got the assignment to devise a solution for hermetically sealing a radio-frequency-tight test chamber. It is intended for testing with enormous wind turbine parts from Siemens for a wind farm at sea. The hole in the roof through which these parts enter the test chamber is ten by ten meters. In a multidisciplinary collaboration we have developed the solution to close this hermetically. The test room will be ready later this year.’
Satellite
Another striking example of the expertise is the design of a “Diving Board”: an installation to supply the ISO satellite in the nose cone of an Ariane 4 rocket with super liquid Helium, while being kept at temperature of -271° C (2° C above absolute zero). ‘This is necessary to keep it at the right temperature,’ says Marco. ‘The installation has since been used at launches in French Guiana.’ So whether it is chemical, steel production, offshore or aerospace, the Mechanical engineers of the Mechanical department know how to handle it.
services
In addition to the above services, the department can also provide:
• 3D Feasibility studies
• Finite Element analysis
• 3D Basic Design
2D Detail Design• Design Risk Analysis
• Design Failure Mode Effect Analysis
More information about our mechanical services, please contact Marco Vahrmeijer.