Automation/Process technology

Most processes on a ship are highly automated in order to increase the cost-effectiveness, reliability and safety of ship operations – and the degree of automation is steadily increasing. Large quantities of freight and cargo require transportation with as few personnel as possible. Or passengers on a cruise liner demand the highest levels of comfort and exclusivity when sailing the oceans of the world. All this is possible thanks to modern automation engineering.

The speed and propeller pitch of modern propulsion systems are controlled via the main engine control system remote operator. In order to ensure that the operation is possible from different points on the ship, the communication between different helmstand control systems with one another must be guaranteed.

Our compact PLC PS4 has stands out on a day-to-day basis for different manoeuvres on hundreds of ships. The control systems are located for example on the bridge or on the sides in the wings of a navigating bridge. Communication is undertaken with the central control station on the bridge or in the control station. The networking defines the priorities of the individual operating points and controls the overall communication to ensure that only a single person can be in control of the ship at any time.

Furthermore, our controls are used in the stabiliser systems. These anti-heeling compensation systems are used to compensate for the list (inclination) when the ship is loaded. Water is pumped into the ballast tanks on the opposite side of the ship to compensate for the weight of the load. Our controls process the incoming signals from the list (inclination measurement) sensors. The pumps and valves are controlled to compensate for the list. This is performed by networking with the bridge, the engine room and the cargo area.