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Damen: Remote inspections – an efficient tool

Posted on December 2, 2020

A DredgeWire Exclusive

Until recently Damen Field Service Engineers and its customers’ Quality Managers or Technical Superintendents travelled the world inspecting or commissioning Cutter Suction Dredgers (CSD). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, severe travel restrictions hinder these travels. Damen Dredging Equipment has found the answer in performing remote inspections using state-of-the-art equipment, enabling all involved to do their job from their homes.

Inspection at the building yard

Damen Dredging Equipment often received customers who wanted to inspect their CSD before it was shipped. Drawings and specifications in hand, the dredger was inspected to the last detail. These inspections usually took less than a day – yet travelling to and from the yard was more time-consuming. When it became clear that travel restrictions would not be lifted quickly, a solution had to be found.

This solution is a RealWear headset, which can be easily integrated in a standard Damen safety helmet. The unit is fitted out with a small camera and a screen. Moreover, it can be programmed adding software such as Teams etc. This RealWear unit has proven its worth in a number of CSD-inspections already.

The idea is very simple: all involved in the inspection convene in a Teamsmeeting. One member of the Damen team is on the dredger, carefully and slowly showing the details required. In the meantime, another Damen team member has all 2D and 3D drawings available, plus electric and hydraulic diagrams. Wherever the real-lifer inspector is, first the spec then the drawing is shown to the attendees, followed by the live inspection. As the RealWear unit is controlled by speech, inspection, it requires no hand-operation – safe and practical. As all are in contact with each other, is it easy to request to show a detail etc.

These remote inspections enable Damen to ship the inspected CSDs from the building yard to their first jobsite.

Indispensable for commissioning on site

It is common practice that, once a CSD has reached its first jobsite, a Damen Field Service Engineer jumps on a plane to assist during assembly and commissioning; the new crew or technical team will need guidance in assembling and starting up the dredger. Again, COVID-19 travel restrictions have blocked this possibility. And again, the headset is used to solve the problem.

The headset is programmed by the Damen Dredging team, then sent to the local agent. This agent, together with the customer’s technical crew operate the head set, with Damen Filed Service engineers in the Netherlands instructing on the assembly sequence, the start-up protocol etc.Hence, there are no delays and the dredger cab start its productive life straightaway.

These unprecedented times call for innovative ways to reach our goals – a satisfied customer, no delays in the delivery process and a smooth commissioning on site.

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