Technica Lift Pads Case Study
Why Technica Lift Pads?
Technica performs all physical testing in Sydney, Australia
Ships or Submarines are lifted from the water using steel cradles which usually have soft wood covering the contact points on the cradle that protect the hull from damage when lifting. The soft wood provides compliance however, it only gives the required amount of compliance two or three times.
After a number of lifts the wood cannot supply enough compliance and damage to the hull is almost certain. The ships or submarines are very expensive items and a repair to the hull could run into hundreds of thousands of dollars. Another problem faced is the amount of force each contact point of the cradle obtains. It is very difficult to ensure each point of the cradle obtains even weight distribution once the wood has lost its compliance. In turn, that cradle contact point is subjected to a larger load than normal; damage will almost certainly occur.
The final and most frustrating problem at this time is the availability of soft and hard wood. The wood supply is becoming very scarce, with more lifting locations being built all the time and the increase in the number of ships that need lifting. Wood is a very important part of the procedure and without the purchase of new wood, damage will almost certainly occur.
The Solution
Technica Lift Pads replace the soft wood. Technica Lift Pads provide the correct amount of compliance with each and every lift. Technica Lift Pads are specially designed to suit the weight of the ship or submarine whilst matching the hull perfectly. The Technica Lift Pad, whilst having steel plates to obtain the correct load characteristics, can have rubber covering these steel plates thus reducing the corrosive surroundings (salt water). The pad can be designed to withstand a constant load whilst having the ability to handle spike loads. The Technica Lift Pad has a design life of 10 years depending on lifting frequency.
Current Project
Technica Lift Pads are currently being supplied to the Australian Submarine Corporation for the new floating dock facility in Henderson Western Australia to suit Australian Defence Department Collins Class Submarines.