The path to shipyard 4.0, seeking the implementation of technological solutions to deal with naval component manufacturing processes, advances through the F4ST initiative, developed by Navantia, together with its technological partners Aimen, Electrorayma, Intaf, OMT and Tecoi , which presented via telematics the progress achieved so far, with the horizon set in 2022 and a budget of around ten million euros.
Representatives of the companies that participate in this initiative explained in detail each one of the works that is being developed.
The F4ST project seeks the implementation of these technological solutions, with the optimization of the manufacturing processes of complex naval components in the manufacturing lines of sub-blocks and offshore wind components.
In fact, the application of these 4.0 technologies is focused on two manufacturing lines that are developed in the shipyard and on which the investment for the Ferrol-Fene shipyard will focus, the sub-block manufacturing line and the substructure manufacturing line. for the offshore industry.
Technologies such as robotics, artificial vision, digitalization of processes or the development of digital plant and process twins are applied to modernize the factory’s work systems.
Advances
The representatives of the different companies involved in this initiative announced the advances that have been made so far within the framework of the project, both in the manufacture of sub-blocks – it aims to find a technological solution to integrate a digital platform that communicates field devices heterogeneous among themselves– as in offshore wind –development and demonstration of a knot workshop for the advanced manufacture of offshore components-, in order to achieve an increase in efficiency, productivity, sustainability and quality in the products made .
The ultimate goal is for these advances to achieve a greater degree of differentiation for the Navantia shipyards in Ferrol and Fene and thus consolidate its position as a benchmark in the construction of military ships and offshore structures.
The F4ST project is subsidized by the Galician Innovation Agency, supported by the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Industry of the Xunta de Galicia and co-financed by the European Union, through the European Regional Development Fund for the period 2014-2020.