Dec 16 2015
The renowned, UK-based high performance yacht builder Green Marine Ltd. has selected Virtek® laser projection systems to enhance its state-of-the-art composite production facility in Hythe, Southampton, England.
Virtek's LaserEdge® 3D laser projection system, paired with Virtek LTG® (Laser Template Generator) 2D system will assist Green Marine's skilled workforce in composite manufacturing activities called for in the creation of the high-performance racing and superyachts for which the company is famous.
"We're all very proud to be able to count Green Marine as our customer," Virtek's Axel Rieckmann, Director of Sales, EMEA and Asia Pacific commented. "The Green Marine team doesn't compromise on any part of its tool kit, and it's the highest compliment to see our solutions selected by a company of that caliber."
The multi-projector LaserEdge system will project into the hull molds from the high ceiling of the facility's build boxes, enabling rapid and accurate positioning of pre-cut sheets of composite material and structural components without the need for manual measurement. Virtek programming software is part of the overall solution for Green Marine's engineering team to create the laser projection programs for use in the build boxes.
In another area of the facility, where bulkhead components are built and cured for later assembly into the composite hulls, the Virtek LTG system will assist with direct projection of CAD drawings at full scale, onto the two-dimensional work surfaces, again eliminating the need for time-consuming manual measurement.
Green Marine's Technical Director, Geoff Stock, said: "Due to the competitive nature of our business, and the accuracy standards to which our yachts are built, we're constantly evaluating new technologies. When we first saw the Virtek laser projection system, its ease of use was immediately apparent. It is also vital that each element of our high-performance builds are accurate to very small margins, as well as being time effective, which is where the Virtek system comes in."
About Green Marine: Green Marine is a leading manufacturer of composite yachts and carbon fibre composite structures. Founded in 1982, the company has built more than 180 composite boats, including many high profile race designs such as TP-52s, Open 60s, Mini Maxis, Wallys, multihulls and challengers for the America's Cup and Volvo Ocean Races. Green Marine is at the forefront of carbon fibre composite technologies, and is constantly innovating, both through our products and our talented workforce. www.greenmarine.co.uk
About Virtek: Virtek Vision International Inc. is the global leader in laser templating and quality inspection systems, providing exceptional expertise and engineering for manufacturers around the world. The Virtek name has become synonymous with precision, reliability, and innovation.
Founded in 1986, and today a part of Gerber Technology, Virtek is based in Waterloo, ON, Canada, and has a global presence in the USA, across Europe and in Asia. From the aerospace to the construction industry, and from sheet metal fabrication to wind energy, our tailored laser-based solutions featuring LaserEdge®, LaserQC®, TrussLine®, Iris™ and others, give customers the competitive edge needed to succeed in their fields. For more information, please visit www.virtek.ca.
About Gerber Technology: Gerber Technology delivers industry-leading software and automation solutions that help apparel and industrial customers improve their manufacturing and design processes and more effectively manage and connect the supply chain, from product development and production to retail and the end customer. Gerber serves more than 78,000 customers in 130 countries, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies in apparel & accessories, home and leisure, transportation, packaging and sign & graphics. The company develops and manufactures its products from various locations in the United States and Canada and has additional manufacturing capabilities in China.
Based in Connecticut in the USA, Gerber Technology is owned by Vector Capital, a San Francisco-based, global private equity firm specializing in the technology sector and managing more than $2 billion of equity capital. Visit www.gerbertechnology.com for more information.