Location: Exmouth, Western Australia
Commodity: Natural Gas
Total Project Value: $20k
Time-frame: May 2020
People & Resources: Josip Rados (RS Project Lead), CAD design tools
Project Overview
This project involved three-tonne reduction gearboxes connected to Taurus 70 turbines, nestled tightly into their enclosures, with minimal headspace between the assembly and structural beams above.
In May 2020, our client approached Rotation Solutions to design and supply a solution that would allow for the safe and effective removal of the gearboxes.
The reduced headspace on this project presented a problem for our partners and meant that OEM lifting equipment was unsuitable for use when removing the gearbox for overhaul.
The Solution
According to RS Project Lead Josip Rados, the aim was to design and manufacture a permanent, safe lifting solution that the crew could then use repeatedly in the future.
“We initially measured the headroom while onsite at the facility and to design the reduction gearbox lifting tool,” Jos said.
“Once we had the specifics, we were then able to design a prototype using Solidworks, before having the tool manufactured, load tested and certified in Perth ready for use on the offshore vessel.”
“I was a little nervous before it was used for the first time, but the feedback we got was that everything went smoothly and the tool performed well and as designed.”
“It now belongs to our client, they were pretty impressed, and the project has maintained the good relationship between our teams.”
“It’s been rewarding to have someone conduct the same job with and without the tool, and really appreciate the difference it made in removing the gearbox safely and efficiently.”
One of the core values for RS as an organisation is to “Challenge the Status Quo”. By innovating to complete this project successfully, the team has highlighted their commitment to a broader vision of what’s achievable.
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