Russia Launches a Laser-Powered Ship Repair Facility
Pilot project pioneering laser repair works for the metal parts of ships and vessels has been launched in Russia's Primorsky Territory, reports Sputnik.
The technology of laser reordering of metallic parts in Russia's Primorye Territory was developed by the Far Eastern branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) jointly with the Far Eastern Federal University and the Vladivostok-based ship-repairing center Dalzavod.
Robot complexes will be equipped with high-power lasers which will allow overlaying repair coats of different metals on faulty parts automatically, fully restoring the operational integrity of separate units, the RAS Far Eastern branch said.
"With the use of lasers, coats of various metals will be put on broken parts to fully restore them. Lasers are a versatile instrument – it cuts materials, welds them, as well as cleans surfaces," it pointed out.
"The Primorye Territory is setting up a major ship-building plant Zvezda, ship-repair plants already need the services of the laser center today. It is much more profitable for them not to buy sophisticated and expensive spare parts, but to restore them by laser cladding. This technology is being developed at the center not just as a scientific experiment, but as a real order by industrial enterprises. The organizers of the center have already concluded contracts with several Primorye companies," First Deputy Governor of Primorsky Territory Vasily Usoltsev was quoted as saying.
The pioneering project is planned to be expanded to a full-scale repair facility in the coming three years.
