SAM XL develops smart robotic solutions for welding ship panels together. This is currently mainly done manually.
Dutch shipyards excel in their ability to build a wide range of unique, custom-built vessels using the same infrastructure for every ship and within a short lead time. These modern shipyards require new automation and robotisation technologies to remain at the forefront of niche markets.
To secure the Dutch shipyards’position and remain at the forefront, modern shipyards that are based on new digitalisation and robotisation technologies are required. This will enable cost reduction and partly tackle labour shortage. One of the biggest challenges in shipbuilding is the welding process. Although there is plenty of experimentation with automation worldwide, standard welding robots prove to be hardly applicable in Dutch shipyards, due to the wide variety of ship designs and working conditions. Within STREAM, the aim is to specifically develop technology that can handle this variety.
The shipyards, SAM XL and our partner fieldlab RoboHouse are working together to teach robots how to weld. The robots need to weld panels of various types and sizes together. This is currently still done manually. The labour is heavy and hazardous. In some cases the work is carried out in very confined spaces. The quality of the weld must be consistent: in addition to making a weld, the system must be self-learning. A weld that does not meet the required quality standards should automatically be identified and instantly corrected.
The aim is to become one of the leading European regions for the construction of complex ships. To this end, the parties are collaborating within the programme: Shipyard of the Future Drechtsteden – Rotterdam. The automation of processes addresses the growing labour shortage and contributes to cost reduction, ensuring that Dutch shipbuilding remains internationally competitive. Current standard welding robots are hardly applicable in Dutch shipyards due to the wide variety of ship designs and working conditions. Within STREAM, work is therefore specifically focused on technology that can handle this variety.
STREAM is supported by a grant from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, via the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). This grant forms part of the Grant Scheme for Maritime Innovation Projects.
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