400t ship propulsion units on air
July 17th 2008

The Azipod-system (AZImuthing electric POdded Drive) is an electric propulsion unit developed by ABB. It ensures superior manoeuvrability and reduces noise and vibration substantially. Considerable savings in fuel consumption are achieved by the Azipod-system – a safe and environmentally-friendly solution used in a wide variety of ships.

ABB has already used an air film Mover from Solving for many years to handle its Azipod-units through production. New premises were built and at the same time it was necessary to upgrade their existing air film equipment to a 400t capacity Mover.

The remote-controlled air film Mover allows ABB to move the propulsion units through production and between the different parts of the assembly hall smoothly and with great precision without using cranes or other external lifting devices.

"The safety risk has been reduced by the air film Mover because cranes are now used to a lesser extent," says production manager Jyrki Ritalahti. "Moving the units is now also more flexible, since the air film Mover can be operated in places out of reach for cranes."

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