Introduction
AEGIR-Marine B.V. is a prominent player in the maritime industry with over 20 years of experience. Specializing in sealing systems, the company is known for its OEM-independent high-quality services in propulsion and stern tube sealing. AEGIR-Marine offers comprehensive solutions including repairs, replacements, and retrofits tailored to the specific needs of vessels. This case study examines the company’s initiative to enhance its quality control processes through the adoption of a non-destructive hardness testing device, the e-handy by Cisam-Ernst.
Problem Statement
One of AEGIR-Marine’s key priorities is ensuring the use of high-quality parts made from appropriate materials. The company works with a variety of metal materials, including hardened surfaces of different dimensions and geometries. Previously, hardness tests were outsourced to a third party, resulting in several challenges:
- Long Waiting Times: The outsourcing process typically took more than three days to complete, leading to delays in operations.
- Destructive Testing: The conventional hardness testing methods were destructive, often damaging the parts being tested.
Search for a Solution
Driven by the belief that operations could be more efficient and environmentally friendly, AEGIR-Marine sought a non-destructive testing device, portable and capable of handling parts with special geometries.
The company identified the e-handy by Cisam-Ernst as a potential solution.
Evaluation Process
AEGIR-Marine engaged in thorough communications with the supplier of the e-handy by Cisam-Ernst, culminating in an online demonstration of the device. Key features of the e-handy by Cisam-Ernst included:
- Material Dependence: The tester required knowledge of the material type to accurately assess hardness.
- Portability and Ease of Use: The device was user-friendly and portable, allowing for on-the-spot testing.
- Accuracy and Repeatability: The tester provided reliable and consistent results.
Implementation and Results
Upon acquiring the e-handy by Cisam-Ernst, AEGIR-Marine integrated it into their quality control process. The implementation led to several immediate and significant benefits:
- Reduced Testing Time: The ability to conduct tests on-site drastically reduced the time required to identify deviations from standard requirements. Non-conformities could now be addressed within minutes or hours, as opposed to days.
- Non-Destructive Testing: The e-handy by Cisam-Ernst allowed for non-destructive testing, preserving the integrity of parts.
- Cost Justification: The operational efficiencies and reduced lead times quickly justified the investment in the e-handy by Cisam-Ernst.
Impact on Operations
The adoption of the e-handy by Cisam-Ernst transformed AEGIR-Marine’s approach to quality control. The company could now swiftly and accurately assess the hardness of various metal materials without causing damage, ensuring that only parts meeting the highest standards were used. This not only enhanced the quality of their services but also aligned with their environmental and efficiency goals.
Conclusion
AEGIR-Marine B.V.’s strategic decision to adopt the e-handy by Cisam-Ernst for non-destructive hardness testing significantly improved their operational efficiency and quality control processes. By reducing testing times and eliminating the need for destructive methods, the company was able to provide faster and more reliable services to its clients. This case study demonstrates how innovation in testing methodologies can lead to substantial improvements in both operational performance and sustainability in the maritime industry.
