PRESS RELEASE NO: 03-2008
A unique magnetic crawler has been developed to provide inspection and servicing capabilities for ships’ hulls and large steel structures. The SteelClimber Mk 2® is hydraulically steered and driven and adheres magnetically to steel structures with considerable force.
A patented use of permanent magnets through two flexible belts enables the SteelClimber to operate above or below water and to travel at up to 30 metres per minute in any attitude. This makes it an ideal vehicle for a wide range of tasks such as hull cleaning and thickness measurement. Its developers; Miko Marine AS and Bratberg Producter AS are now inviting approaches from organisations with payloads that the SteelClimber can deploy for them.
The SteelClimber is manufactured in Hardanger, Norway and its inventor, Leif Stana, believes that it offers a number of advantages over existing hull inspection crawlers. It is capable of carrying a payload of up to 200 kg and, unlike thruster driven units, the SteelClimber does not need to be deployed by a crane and submerged before it can function. The unit can simply be attached to the freeboard of a hull, inspected to check that its payload is fully functional and then driven down the side of the ship and into the water. The design of the belt drive enables it to negotiate curved surfaces, to pass over marine growth with ease and to access all of a ship’s submerged surfaces.
Powerful magnetic rollers behind the belts each have an adhesion force of 40 Kg each. Normally 9 magnetic rollers are used and even through the heavy duty 2 mm thick belt an adhesive holding force of up to 360 kg can be measured. This gives the device its exceptional load carrying capability and ensures that it is unaffected by currents or vessel movement.
When it is being deployed out of water the SteelClimber offers a practical means of undertaking cleaning, inspection or maintenance tasks in otherwise inaccessible tanks, holds or superstructure. The simplicity and reliability of the hydraulic drive and steering system is also seen as a major benefit that will enable high value payloads to be deployed with confidence.
The SteelClimber has been developed as a partnership between its inventor and engineer at Bratberg AS and Miko Marine AS. This company is a world leader in the
application of magnetic technology and markets a range of marine and industrial products. These include magnetic lifting devices and magnetic patches that can be used for
emergency hull repairs. Organisations interested in developing uses for the SteelClimber can contact the company through its website at www.miko.no.
Photo caption; Engineer and inventor Leif Stana demonstrates the SteelClimber.
Press enquiries contact:
Paul Eastaugh, PEMS Marine & Offshore PR
Tel: +44 (0)118 934 1101, Mobile: 07889 432014, Fax: +44 (0)118 934 1137
Commercial enquiries contact:
Nicolai Michelsen, ggeneral manager
Miko Marine AS
Ruseløkkveien 26
PO Box 1534 -Vika
N - 0117 Oslo
Norway
Tel + 47 46 90 50 00 Fax + 47 22 83 65 15 Mob + 47 911 70 452
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