The naval drives an intelligent technology unit in Porriño

Aimen and Wärtsilä create a joint research unit for a new generation of components

The Aimen Technology Center and the company Wärtsilä Ibérica will develop in Porrino a new generation of naval components characterized by high efficiency and value added. Both will work together to consolidate the worldwide market leadership for the shaft line through the Next Bearings mixed unit, which was presented at the Aimen laser applications center yesterday.
With a budget of 2.29 million euros –co-financed by the loan granted to the Xunta by the government -, the aim of this project is to achieve an increase of more than 15% of the productivity at the Iberian Wärtsilä plant as well as a 10% reduction in manufacturing costs and improved efficiency and functionality of the components manufactured by this company, such as shafts, bearings or support bearings for vessels. "Galicia is working to become a world leader in the design and manufacture of these products," the Regional Minister of Economy and Industry said. He highlighted the "high impact" of the project on stable and quality employment, with a group of 13 researchers. Francisco Conde stressed that this joint unit is set "as an essential axis of the value chain on the shipbuilding industry" and gave the example of the contribution to the smart factory, "facing this enormous technological challenge that should lead to naval 4.0".
Wärtsilä Ibérica is a subsidiary of the Finnish group Wärtsilä. It has plants in Vigo and Porriño (former Cedervall). It is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of components for the shaft line of vessels, providing a higher international market share over 30% in the case of bearings support.
Aimen has over 45 year experience in R & D and its laser application center opened last year is the largest in Spain in its category, where it carries out own and collaborative research projects.
(Source: Atlántico Diario)