Working with a customer who is literally on the other side of the world is never easy, and when that customer has a complex military grade project that has to be delivered in very short timelines for a demanding overseas user, the difficulty rises substantially.Auto-Maskin has been working flat out in the later months of 2010 with the Caterpillar Government Marine Excellence Center in Perth, Western Australia to develop a unique multi-station alarm and monitoring package to suit a pair of 3500 series main engines on waterjets, C 4.4 generating sets plus other associated equipment for a fast delivery at the start of a major long term contract.
With only a top level functional specification available, engineers from both parties had to design from scratch a series of complex cabinets and functions, including redundant Ethernet networks to meet the demanding requirements of protection, logic and multi-station (redundancy protected) operating stations required by the users. Communications and collaboration were key as both companies drove into the finer details of design and implementation, with production deadlines drawing closer and closer.
With the design of local and remote paneling required, integration of water jet control, exhaust flap valve fail safe operation plus a multitude of direct functional requirements from on board vessel needs, the team found themselves working long hours into the night to prepare drawings and responses prior to and during production. The installation of Skype free messaging and teleconferencing on everyone’s computer was probably the best download of the year!
After an incredible amount of work, perseverance and collaboration the joint teams of CAT GMEC and Auto-Maskin created ergonomic designs that well satisfied the final customer. Comprising of a Main Engine local operating cabinet, a version of this cabinet for the generating sets, plus bridge and flying wing panels, the first ships set were delivered in time for the first Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT).
The commitment at Auto-Maskin production to achieve this goal meant long hours in evenings and weekends, including building test equipment, harnessing and several rebuilds as the design had to flex to meet the on-going requirements of the design teams.
Henning Bredesen, the lead engineer from Auto-Maskin, traveled to Australia to meet with his opposite number Lee Ho Ong of CAT GMEC to perform final functional tests and calibrations prior to these important first tests and were rewarded with a fully functioning system running prior to the FAT’s.
This project was a great example of what can be achieved when two organizations collaborate, communicate and are both committed to providing World Class Excellence to their mutual customer.
It also serves as an example of the versatility of the Auto-Maskin Marine Pro system.
