Crane Alternatives to Improve Maintenance Capacity, Efficiency and Safety
NCMS Project #: 142057
Problem: Currently, naval shipyards are operating their lifting and handling processes with equipment and technology that is, in some cases, decades old. In addition, shipyards are predominately reliant on portal cranes for heavier lifts into and out of the dry docks. Portal cranes require rail systems throughout the shipyard for movement and require crane teams consisting of a minimum of three personnel to watch, monitor, and supervise movements and lifts of this equipment.
Benefit: Development of these solutions will establish a means for any industry suffering from aging infrastructure to not only determine whether to invest in capital improvements but will generate the ability to improve maintenance capacity, efficiency and safety.
Solution/Approach: There are newer solutions available in industry, which could not only enhance safety, work force utilization, and operational capacity, but would not require rail systems to operate. The intent of this initiative is to perform research, identification, evaluation and assessment of potential new technologies in lifting and handling. It will also include the identification and assessment of industry best practices to improve crane safety and ensure continuous reliability.
Impact on Warfighter:
- Improve shipyard operational capacity and performance
- Enhance safety and workforce utilization
- Reduce maintenance and sustainment costs
- Increase warfighter readiness
DOD Participation:
- U.S. Navy
- U.S. Fleet Forces Command
- Naval Sea Systems Command PMS 555
Industry Participation:
- Engineered Rigging
- NCMS
Benefit Area(s):
- Cost savings
- Repair turn-around time
- Maintenance avoidance and reliability
- Positive environmental impact
- Safety
- Improved readiness
- Reliability improvement
Focus Area:
- Advanced/additive manufacturing