Page 14 - Industrial Technology EXTRA 21st June 2021

mooring tensioner XL cylinders in
carbon steel with built-in
accumulators. Featuring a 600
mm diameter and 4500 mm
stroke length, these hefty
hydraulic cylinders have a design
pressure of 230 bar (3335 psi).
Each one is also equipped with
high-grade stainless-steel piping
and manifold blocks.
Throughout this multi-million-
euro project, Eaton’s application
and manufacturing experience
were crucial to the customer,
fluid can also leak into the sea creating enabling a high-quality product that combines
environmental problems.” performance, reliability and safety advantages. The
To create the coating, a laser beam spot existing close relationship was also invaluable,
impinges the piston rod surface, producing a empowering Eaton to understand the customer’s
shallow molten pool. Following the injection of needs in-depth and collaborate effectively on the
Eatonite powder, the pool solidifies as the piston rod best solution.
cools, leaving cascading weld beads. The rod is
then turned and polished to the final surface Low cost of ownership
parameters. As a point of note, Eatonite is fully field By combining exceptional corrosion protection with
repairable, which further reduces the cost of any an excellent sealing system, Eaton’s solution is able
necessary upkeep. to withstand the application’s tough environment,
“Usually, cylinders would need to be dismantled substantially extending the lifetime of the mooring
and sent for recoating, but we can do repairs locally tensioners and enhancing operational safety. At the
in application, minimising both the cost and time same time, Eaton’s solution lowers total cost of
required,” says Claessens. ownership by minimising the risk of unplanned
Eaton also integrated a stroke measurement maintenance or equipment downtime.
system, further enhancing the performance and “Our customer focus was key to the success of
safety factor of the mooring tensioners. The system this project, as was an expert manufacturing plant
enables the customer to know the position of the that always lives up to its promises and has a 100%
piston in the cylinder and accumulator at any on-time delivery record,” says Claessens.
moment. This capability also allows the early Eaton now stands ready to provide the customer
identification of any accumulator leaks, making it with long-term support for repairs, spares, servicing
possible to deal with issues promptly. Without such and upgrades as required in the future. Concludes
a system, the first sign of a problem would be Kubica: “We’re always ‘in it together’ with our
performance loss, or even sudden failure. customers, working towards mutual success. This
With just a 10-month lead-time, Eaton’s project really brought that to life.”
Eindhoven facility designed and delivered 12 www.eaton.com

June 2021 • INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY EXTRA • p14