NEW ON BOARD
Flexible design work useful in challenging maritime projects
by: MERJA KIHL AND ARI MONONEN
The Finnish engineering company Alvars Ltd. was founded in 2007. For a decade already, the company’ s core areas of expertise have included innovative design and R & D project services for the marine cluster.
” We often carry out challenging design projects for shipbuilders, e. g the shipyards in Turku and St. Nazaire – but we also engage in subcontracting projects ordered by the marine industry,” says Mr. Mika Laiho, CEO for Alvars Ltd.
He notes that Alvars is specialised in large-scale glass structures in particular.
” Such demanding glass projects have included all-glass coverings on top decks of ships. For instance, the decorative glass structure installed in an outdoor area on an Oasis class cruiser was designed by us.”
Another structure was a sliding glass roof for a different cruise ship.
” The glass elements were designed to slide on steel railings, enabling the roof to be opened for an area of 300 square metres in total. Similar glass structures may be utilised to provide coverings for, say, swimming pools,” Mr. Laiho recounts.
In this project, Alvars was responsible for detail design and structural analysis of the steel structure, as well as the glazing, outfitting, and interior design.
” Our resources provide efficient design services and solutions. We solve the structural concepts and design, do the math for the strength calculations, and carry out the engineering for the mechanics and operational principles – right through to 3D models and blueprints. Our partners in the field of machine workshops then manufacture the parts accordingly,” Laiho explains the comprehensive process.
” With flexible configuration, even the main dimensions of the parts can be altered up until the final blueprints are about to be printed.”
Furthermore, Alvars Ltd. is experienced in designing solutions for lifting and securing in marine transport.
” It is important that sea cargo is secured properly and that its structures will not get transformed while they are being lifted onboard,” Laiho emphasises. n
46 seatec 1 / 2017