Pemamek LLC, North American subsidiary of Finland-based Pemamek Ltd., specializes in modular customized proven automated welding systems for large offshore wind energy platforms. Difficult-to-weld components comprising monopile and floating platform bases can be joined by combining a customized selection of fit-up and adaptive robotic welding technologies, roller beds, column & booms, and other systems—all controlled by one operator and one powerful software system.
The thick heavy plates found in most monopile and floating platforms must be welded together perfectly lest they lose their strength and ability to hold towers weighing in the thousands of tons. A long stick-out tandem head combined with a semi-narrow gap SAW welding technique is recommended for plates thicker than 1.9 in. (50 mm) to reduce seam volume and decrease the amount of filler material needed.
Pemamek’s 100 to 1,200-ton roller beds are designed to handle this process, featuring a hydraulic anti-creep function to prevent axial movement during welding. Multiple roller beds can be included in the overall welding system, communicating weight shifts via positioners for optimal alignment when joining the top and bottom sections of the monopile. One person controls the entire system using the WeldControl 100 and 500 weld management systems, eliminating the need for multiple welders on one job, cranes to reach tough joints, and creating a safer work environment.
“Welders can preset all welding parameters based on data collected via scanning,” said Michael Bell, Sales Director, Pemamek North America. “Several welds can be performed at the same time by one operator, working from digital measurements taken from the actual workpiece. The guesswork is eliminated and there will be virtually no mistakes with the weld with our adaptive fill technology. This is crucial when joining large plates that will be placed in harsh marine conditions.”
The PEMA Flange Fitting Station can be added to the workshop configuration, enabling fast, safe, and accurate fitting and welding of flanges to wind tower and monopile foundation sections. The FF station is flexible enough to handle many different variations of flange designs and can be integrated with PEMA Column & Boom, which enables welding to be done in the same place, reducing weld time and increasing welding efficiency.
Pemamek provides welding automation technology and integrated manufacturing solutions to a wide range of industries including shipbuilding, alternative energies, heavy fabrication, oil & gas, wind energy, and boiler manufacturing. The company offers welding positioners, column and boom units, roller beds, and robotic solutions as well as the proprietary PEMA WeldControl operating and control software, among other technologies.
Pemamek Oy is a global technology leader in designing and manufacturing automated welding and production solutions. Founded in 1970, Pemamek is a family-owned company with 230 employees at its Loimaa, Finland, headquarters in addition to hundreds of others at its sales offices in the United States, Russia, Brazil, and Poland.