THE cost of docking a vessel or ship for repairs is extremely expensive. Not only are the docking (layup) fees to be considered, but the cost of qualified repair staff along with the various other consumable costs, and the potential loss of income is something to be noted, therefore a multitude of criteria must be considered before deciding to dock a vessel for repairs.
There are however several reasons why a ship would be docked for maintenance, a specific reason is that ships have anti fouling paint to reduce the number of algae and barnacles that attach themselves to the vessel. Over time the anti-fouling efficacy is reduced, and it must be removed and repainted.
Grinding Techniques, a proudly South African supplier and manufacturer of specialised abrasive products and part of the Tyrolit Group are able to offer a wide range of abrasive products for almost every kind of application; it aims to provide the best abrasive product for manufacturing and or maintenance processes.
It is important for abrasives to be task specific to obtain the best value for money and minimise the amount of time spent on each operation in order for the vessel to be returned back to service in the shortest time possible.
Grinding Techniques has a Superflex 115×22.23mm rough cleaning disc which will quickly and efficiently remove algae and barnacles from the hull. It will also continue cleaning the hull down to the metal surface without damaging or removing any of the base material.
Once this operation is complete, the range of Velcro discs in various grits is available to remove and sand down any remaining anti fouling paint left on the surface of the hull. This will ensure that the surface is prepared and ready for a fresh coat of anti-fouling paint to be sprayed on in no time.
Steel hulls can and will inevitably become damaged and will rust during its operational life. When there is surface rust, a rough cleaning wheel will be utilised in much the same way as when cleaning the hull of algae and barnacles. For severe rust, the range of Superflex flap discs are able to remove the rust quickly and efficiently. This will ensure that the surface is correctly prepared for further operations.
Where there has been severe damage to the steel hull and a portion of the metal must be removed to weld new metal replacement plates in, the range of Superflex 115mm to 230mm steel cutting discs (dependent on the thickness of the material) may be utilised to efficiently cut away the damaged portion. Once the damaged section has been cut out, the Superflex range of steel grinding discs will quickly and efficiently remove any burrs and prepare the hull for the new plate to be welded into place. Grinding discs or flap disc ranges are ready to clean up the weld and blend it into the rest of the material.
For damaged aluminium hulls, the same procedure of preparation on steel hulls is followed except the abrasives used would be the Superflex Non-Ferrous range specifically designed for use on aluminium.
To cut out the damaged aluminium portion, Superflex aluminium 115mm to 230mm cutting discs would be specified, specifically designed to cut aluminium without contaminating the metal. Once the plate has been welded into place, Superflex Premium Non-Ferrous flap discs are then used to smoothly blend the weld. Velcro discs can once again be used to smooth out the surface in preparation for painting.
It is always important to ensure your required abrasives are task specific to fully take benefit of the product optimisation to obtain value for money.
Contact Grinding Techniques for training and technical assistance from product specialists.
Tel: +27 11 271 6400 | info@grindtech.com | www.grindtech.com
