Customised Lifting Beam for BAE Systems

Background

Building ships requires integrating large, high value critical sections safely progressively during the build.  To do this efficiently, BAE and their design partners designed a bespoke lifting beam for use in their Osborne facility.

MG Engineering’s scope included the supply, fabrication, NDT, painting and delivery of the swivel type lifting beam.

MG engineering managed the process including the subcontracted specialised works of this complex and challenging scope involving a high level of quality requirements for intended use of the component.

Challenges

One challenge was to comply with the stringent quality requirements within the very short lead time.  Although the design looks reasonably simple, the complexity of joining plates of many different thickness using multiple weld runs, while controlling distortion within tight tolerances proved challenging, but was achieved.  Some components/parts are made from processed plates involving machining, making it even more challenging.

Achievements

The MG Engineering team produced a solution and methodology on how to handle the complexity and challenging areas of the job. During the whole project, client involvement was important ensuring the client remained confident in the process and the final outcome.

Subcontractors performed to expectation. Valuable lessons were learned by all involved ensuring that South Australia is ready for the next phases of ship building in the State.

With careful execution and monitoring, the project was executed exceeding the quality requirements within delivery lead time and budget.