Floating Offshore Wind Platform Prototype
Sector: Energy, Marine
Services Provided:
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- CAD/CAM
- Fabrication
- Welding
- Turnkey Project Solutions
Technical Capabilities:
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- Welding (Aluminium)
- Manual Machining
- Fabrication
Scope: GMD were contacted by the University of Plymouth to see if we could assist in a critical research project focused around Floating Offshore Wind. This was of particular relevance to us given our location and the plans for the Offshore Wind Projects around the Southwest Coastline in the coming years. The scope of the project involved working with a research team to develop and manufacture a scale model of a Floating Offshore Wind Platform that could then be used in a test environment to determine balance, durability and suitability when scaled up to full size. Because of the scale factor, this called for higher precision and capability than is typical in fabrication and that’s why GMD were selected to partner with the University.
We worked with the University Team to develop technical drawings from rough concept sketches and advised suitable weld types and sizes based on the application. From there we were able to manufacture the pictured model from 6082T6 Aluminium, chosen for it’s strength and suitability for temporary use in a marine environment. We had to bore the three main tubes to achieve specific wall thicknesses that were not available as stock sizes, this involved using our large manual boring machine with precision boring heads and traditional manual machining techniques.
Read more about the Scope of the research project in the files attached:
Duration: 3 weeks manufacturing time
