Launched the first Voith tugboat "Harbour 108" in China
The first Voith tugboat, "Harbour 108," recently made its debut at the Sanlin Shipyard in Pudong, Shanghai, with a grand launching ceremony. This vessel was developed by Shanghai Deepwater Port Shipping Co., Ltd. and built by Sanlin Shipyard under the Shanghai Port Renaissance Shipping Company. It is equipped with cutting-edge Voith Turbo Technology, a global leader in drive and braking systems. The tugboat features the world-renowned Voith Schneider (r) propeller, known for its straight blade paddle design that allows full rotation, making it highly efficient in maneuverability. The ship is expected to be completed and delivered by October this year, marking a milestone as the first Voith-type tugboat designed, built, and deployed in domestic Chinese ports.
Dr. Fulunbach, Director and Vice President of the Voith Turbo Group, along with Dr. Su Mingyue, Managing Director of Voith Turbo China, and other key stakeholders from Shanghai Port Renaissance Shipping Company and Shanghai Deepwater Port Shipping Co., Ltd., were present at the event.
Shanghai's deep-water port is one of Asia's largest and most significant projects, playing a vital role during the "Eleventh Five-Year Plan." Since 2002, the project has been progressing rapidly, and by 2006, preparations for the Harbour 108 began. After extensive research and analysis of international tugboat technologies, the company chose the unique Voith-type tugboat, setting a new standard for their fleet in 2007.
"Shanghai's deep-water port project is not only crucial for China’s development but also draws global attention. Voith Turbo is proud to support this major initiative. Over the past two years, we have provided six Voith Schneider (r) propellers for the tugboats, achieving a breakthrough in our shipping business in China and laying a strong foundation for future growth," said Dr. Furenbach.
The Voith tugboat is a high-performance, multi-functional vessel used in major ports worldwide. It is the only tugboat to receive the prestigious BAT (Best Marine Technology) award. It ensures high safety levels for large ships and ports. Compared to traditional Z-type rudder propellers, Voith tugs use direct-leaf propellers from Voith Turbo Drive GmbH, which are more powerful, reliable, and less affected by harsh weather conditions. They offer greater maneuverability, lower failure rates, and reduced maintenance costs. Additionally, the advanced unmanned cabin design reduces crew workload and increases the technical value of the vessel.
As the first mainland Chinese company to build a Voith tugboat, the initiative aims to elevate the technical standards of the company’s fleet and introduce advanced European and American tugboat operation models. This will help better serve the Yangshan Deepwater Port and establish a top-tier tugboat enterprise, according to Jiang Huiliang, General Manager of Shanghai Port Renaissance Shipping Company and Director of Shanghai Deepwater Port Shipping Co., Ltd.
Voith Turbo, a subsidiary of the Voith Group, is a global leader in hydraulic drives, couplings, and brake systems for marine, rail, and industrial applications. In the fiscal year 2005/2006, the company achieved total sales of 894 million euros, representing 24% of the group’s overall revenue. Orders grew by 13.1% compared to the previous year, reaching 931 million euros.
Founded on January 1, 1867, the Voith Group is Europe’s largest family-owned company, operating 250 branches globally, with 34,000 employees and annual sales of 3.7 billion euros. The company is also the official partner of “Germany – the Country of Creativity.â€
Induction forging system is a modern metal forming technology that utilizes the principle of electromagnetic induction heating to locally heat the metal without direct contact, followed by plastic deformation treatments such as forging and extrusion, in order to change the shape of the metal and enhance its physical properties. This method is widely used in various industries such as automotive, aviation, and military due to its high efficiency, precise control, and environmental protection characteristics.
Basic principles
The induction forging system mainly generates an alternating magnetic field in the induction coil through high-frequency or intermediate frequency current. The metal workpiece generates eddy currents under the action of the magnetic field, and the Joule heat generated by the eddy currents heats the workpiece to the desired temperature. Next, place the heated workpiece into the mold for forging, and use external force to cause plastic deformation, forming a predetermined geometric shape.
System composition
Induction heating unit: comprising an induction coil and a power supply device, used for heating metal workpieces.
Forging mechanism: Hammer head, press machine, etc., implementing external shaping force.
Control system: Monitor and adjust various parameters of the heating and forging process.
Cooling system: Ensure that equipment and workpieces operate at suitable temperatures.
Core advantages
Fast heating: Short heating time and higher efficiency than traditional methods.
Precise control: adjustable heating depth and temperature, conducive to refining grains and improving material properties.
Low energy consumption: Compared to flame heating, it saves energy consumption.
Environmentally friendly and clean: almost pollution-free, in line with green manufacturing standards.
Wide applicability: Suitable for various metals and their alloys.
Application scenarios
The induction forging system covers multiple industries, as follows:
Automotive industry: the molding of complex parts such as engine components, transmission shafts, connecting rods, etc.
Aerospace: High temperature alloy components, titanium alloy forgings.
Tool manufacturing: cutting tools, drill bits, mold steel.
Oil and gas: high-pressure fittings such as valves, flanges, and pipe fittings.
Military equipment: armored vehicles, ship structural components.
Development prospects
With the continuous advancement of new materials and technologies, induction forging systems are moving towards greater efficiency and intelligence. Digital and networked control systems enable remote monitoring and automated production; Adopting higher frequency induction heating technology to improve heating speed and accuracy; Explore new manufacturing models by combining additive manufacturing technologies such as 3D printing. These innovations will further promote the application of induction forging technology in the field of high-performance metal materials, promote industrial upgrading and sustainable development.
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