K&W Transmissies’ product specialists in collaboration with the supplier of a renowned chain factory carried out a project involving transport chains for an offshore lifting platform.

How does such a process work?

The customer contacted us about a lifting platform. This platform is to be pulled by a ship out to sea where work would be carried out, for example in the Wadden Sea. In the Wadden Sea, the four spud poles of this lifting platform are pulled to the bottom, so that the work platform is pushed upward. The chains that ensure that the legs can go down needed to be replaced.

The problem with this lifting platform was that the chains had started to rust over time. The chains had become stiff and bent and could no longer rotate around the sprocket properly, which made the platform unusable. K&W Transmissies had not been involved in the original installation, but now that the chain was not functioning properly, we were called in. The chains run in salty sea water and there were shells and sand in the chains. The latter must be prevented since this what caused the problem. K&W Transmissies’ product specialist, who has knowledge and experience in the offshore sector, first of all talked to the customer on location, observed the problem and determined what improvements to the chain were needed.

The challenge

The challenge for this K&W Transmissies product specialist was to work together with the factory in Germany, where the chains are made, to create a chain which would have a high degree of reliability and yet be a responsible investment. K&W Transmissies’ task is to translate the problems that the customer experiences to the factory and then direct the factory’s production of an improved solution.

The solution

From the position of the customer, K&W Transmissies has solved the problem pragmatically and has come up with a solution, whereby less sand etc. can get into the hinged parts of the chains. Moreover, the solution is also in the economic interest of the customer, as the chain has even become cheaper.

More information

For more information about the possibilities for such an engineering project within your company, please contact our product specialists!