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Thyssenkrupp Estaleiro Brasil Sul is using technology to modernize Navy vessels

Written by Ruth Rodrigues
Published 30/01/2023 às 19:43
Updated 14/02/2023 às 12:04
Thyssenkrupp Estaleiro Brasil Sul is the setting for one of the country's largest technology projects in the modernization of Navy ships with new state-of-the-art resources.
Photo: thyssenkrupp

Thyssenkrupp Estaleiro Brasil Sul is the setting for one of the largest technology projects in the country, in the modernization of Navy ships with new state-of-the-art resources.

The Thyssenkrupp Estaleiro Brasil Sul project, considered the most innovative ever developed in the country, includes the construction of frigates Tamandaré class for the Navy. There will be four defense vessels, equipped with the largest and best existing technologies, which will even break with traditional methods, to include new technologies for the application of this project on ships.

See the Tamandaré Class ships

Source: Embraer

For Thyssenkrupp Estaleiro Brasil Sul: the environment and technology must go hand in hand

The Brasil Sul shipyard was acquired in 2020 by Thyssenkrupp and is one of the most modern in our country. It has an area of ​​310.000 m² and has a high level of automation and cutting-edge technology.

The shipyard has made great achievements, such as, for example, ships for offshore operations of approximately 90 meters in length and 19 meters in breadth.

Following the most historic means, all designs made were developed from a huge amount of printed documents: drawings, procedures and manuals that required numerous copies and recurring updates.

Therefore, a new scenario was created that promotes the benefit to the environment, in addition to being a totally innovative project. 

The shipyard, with the support of the headquarters of Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems in Germany, implemented an Engineering project called “Paperless”, which consists of eliminating paper drawings on the production lines.

Bearing in mind that the construction of ships without printed drawings is something completely new in the South American naval industry, completely innovating the Brasil Sul shipyard, so that it becomes a reference in the production of frigates.

João Aldo Filho Hoffmann even says that the model of the vessel presented in June was already 100% built in paperless, that is, without printing paper designs.

Technology innovation in naval environments

For the best functioning of the implementation of technology on Navy vessels, more than 20 totems with computers were installed in the production area of ​​the shipyard and about 25 tablets.

With this equipment, the workers responsible for the project can access the systems, drawings in 2D and 3D format, procedures and manuals and checklists, and, best of all, all these options are updated in real time by the engineering group from Brazil and the Germany.

As a result, the workforce's notes, internal request for consumables, traceability of plates, profiles, pipes and quality checks are all done digitally.

The next challenge to be undertaken is the use of Augmented Reality, which is even more innovative.

Through this device, it will be possible to superimpose holograms on the physical part, checking the assembly positioning, compartment layout, interference between sectors and quality verification.

And the best of all is that all this can be done by professionals who are here in the country or by specialists from Thyssenkrupp in Germany.

Project leadership

The leaders are confident and want the project to be just the beginning of a great technological innovation in the naval environment.

The CEO of Águas Azuis, Fernando Queiroz, says: “The delivery of a technological product begins with its production. These investments in innovation will guarantee the delivery of frigates with the highest standards of quality and excellence, within the deadlines established together with EMGEPRON and the Brazilian Navy”

Currently, the project is led by naval engineer Letícia Bodanese, who has been working at Thyssenkrupp Estaleiro Brasil Sul for two years.

For her, it has been a challenge, especially in innovative projects such as paperless: “People, naturally, tend to resist the process of change. But after an awareness stage, they learn to work in the new scenario and contribute to the process, incorporating changes in their habits, contributing to the personal development of each employee and the development of the company”, explains the leader.

The companies behind the great innovations

The relationship between SPE Águas Azuis and Brazil goes back a long way.

Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, a company of the Thyssenkrupp Group, is one of the major suppliers of systems for submarines and naval surface vessels, as well as maritime security technologies with a centuries-old history of shipbuilding.

Thyssenkrupp is an international group of companies and has around 96 employees in 48 countries. In the 2021/2022 fiscal year, it recorded a turnover of 41 billion euros, being responsible for creating value with innovative products, technologies and services that help make life better for future generations.

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Ruth Rodrigues

Graduated in Biological Sciences from the State University of Rio Grande do Norte (UERN), she works as a writer and scientific disseminator.

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