THIS IS HOW CRUISE SHIPS ARE POWERED TODAY
Few people know that large cargo and cruise ships today are powered by electric motors – with the electric motor hanging directly with the shipās propeller on a rotating bearing in a nacelle underneath the ship. Today, the well-known āshipās dieselā only generates
the electricity required for this purpose and can now run highly efficiently and therefore much more fuel-efficiently and environmentally friendly, regardless of the shipās speed.
These innovative electric drive systems from ABBĀ® are called AzipodĀ® and not only lead to a lot of advantages for the environment and economy. Thanks to the compact design, space requirements are also significantly reduced: no rigid shaft, no control system also means more space for cabs and cargo, fewer wearing parts and less vibration..
This innovative propulsion system, which is part of the equipment of a new and āgreenerā cruise class, was to be impressively presented at the visitor center of MEYER WERFT in Papenburg. Therefore, ACCENTFORM received the order to build a 1:1 model of an AzipodĀ® propulsion system – no problem for the ACCENTFORM team.
After the production molds for the nacelle and the five different blades had been prepared, the individual components were manufactured in hand laminate with a wall thickness of 5mm. A FRP hemisphere serves as the tip of the propeller. Attachments for the floor and ceiling are located on the individually removable wings. All segments were primed, the nacelle was also painted in our factory. The painting of the five blades was done by the client.
After completion of all remaining work, the propeller was assembled in Papenburg. The impressive model can now be admired in the MEYER WERFT visitor center.
