Kaizen for the world’s most powerful turbine
Pontis was commissioned to reduce takt times in the rotor blade production of the V164-8.0 MW® wind turbine from MHI Vestas (MVOW). First we focused on the rotor blade facility, where improvement projects were implemented based on “Kaizen” principles. Kaizen is Japanese for "improvement."
Meanwhile the Nacelle production has started up a Kaizen project in alignment with Blades. Pontis consultants Jouke Zoethout and Lex Zwang advise and support Project Leaders Hidehiro Urata and Masahiro Yoshida in the implementation. The project was started up in the yaw and PCM (power conversion module) area in the factory hall. After implementation and testing, the Kaizen setup for Nacelle will be spread out to the remaining work centers in the factory hall.
Pontis Design incorporates CATIA V5
As the demand for more customized, high-quality products and data in Pontis’ target markets (e.g. Renewables, Aerospace, Marine) is increasing, Pontis has decided to lift its in-house design capabilities to a higher level of standard. Therefore we have invested in a high-end CAD solution through CATIA. Combined with the hiring of an experienced CATIA specialist (Marijn Versteeg), Pontis Design is now ready to make a flying start with implementing and utilizing its elevated design capacity. To further facilitate this development, Pontis teamed up with NobleTek, a service company providing software and hands-on support.
CATIA (Computer Aided Three-Dimensional Interactive Application) is a high-end 3D CAD solution. It enables our engineers to work with optimal efficiency and accuracy and it has many functionalities to perform our complex design tasks. Hence its status as the most popular CAD software among OEMs and suppliers in complex industries such as Aerospace, Automotive and Renewables!
Working with CATIA has many advantages for Pontis and its clients. It provides the best surfacing tools, combined with a very high accuracy. This is an important requirement for the design of, for example, a plug (master mould) file for wind turbine blades. In addition CATIA provides advanced analysis tools for design assessment, evaluation and optimization. By using CATIA, the design process can be automated: from 3D to 2D design drawing for cutting packages and work instructions to the shop floor. With a powerful and accurate Kernell, Catia is ideally suited for the design of (very) large products. In short: CATIA is the industry standard in challenging markets and we look forward to surprise you with our improved in-house design solutions.
Pontis strengthens its design team
Pontis proudly presents two fresh design engineers to strengthen the specialist design team in the Netherlands: Jouke Zoethout and Marijn Versteeg.
In September, Jouke saw his graduation project turned into a permanent position as a Composite Design Engineer. Since November 2014 he had been a graduate for the European Wind Energy Master, a collaborative program between TU Delft and the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). At Pontis he worked on the structural analysis of composite products, specifically focused on a new design concept for large wind turbine blades. Last summer he successfully graduated for the studies Aerospace Engineering (TU Delft) and Engineering in Wind Energy (DTU). Jouke says: “I started to work as Composite Design Engineer in September and I have worked on various exciting projects ever since. These projects are mainly focused on further developing the design department and various projects in the marine sector. Working on so many different projects, in such various sectors is exactly what makes working in this team so much fun!”
Marijn joined Pontis as a CAD Design Engineer on September 1st. With a small 8 years of experience and knowledge from the Aerospace business, Marijn will be the new CATIA CAD specialist within the Pontis Design team. Marijn says: “In my new role at Pontis, I will particularly deal with designing composite products, high quality surfaces of wind turbine blades and associated master geometry to create plugs, moulds and tools. In Pontis I found a highly specialized organization which is smaller, younger and more flexible than my previous employers. From day one the team felt as family and this creates a pleasant working atmosphere”.
Changing the game @ MHI Vestas
Since July of this year Pontis’ Takt Time team is active at the rotor blade production facility of the world's most powerful wind turbine. The game changing V164-8.0 MW® wind turbine from MHI Vestas is larger than anything you’ve ever seen. With 8.0MW, 24/7 energy production and blades reaching 82 meters, this giant can count on great interest from offshore wind developers worldwide.
And as demand grows, so should production. Therefore MHI Vestas commissioned Pontis to implement a takt time reduction program for its rotor blade facility. Takt time, derived from the German word Taktzeit, is the rate at which a finished product needs to be completed in order to meet customer demand.
Pontis’ approach is based on Lean and Six Sigma principles. Lead Engineer Edgar Suselbeek explains: “We divide the entire production process into clear subprojects with hard targets. Together with the production team, every step in each project is analyzed and possibilities for improvements are determined and carried out”.
In order to make the assignment more tangible for everyone, the program has been visualized and made interactive via storyboards throughout the facility and departments.“Seeing and experiencing target achievements, learning curve effects and quality improvements will further enhance the team spirit”, Edgar continues. “With this joint effort the production team will be able to reach takt times that were not deemed possible beforehand”.
Pontis exhibits at Annual Conference Compoworld
"Composites Smart Solutions" is the theme of the 4th edition of the annual Compoworld congress which will be held on 25th & 26th November 2015 in Emmeloord, the Netherlands. The conference is organized by the Compoworld Foundation, who’s aim is to encourage a climate in which innovations in the field of high performance composites can flourish.
Over the past 3 years the congress proved to be a great success. Visitors and exhibitors value the combination of conference and exhibition. They all see a great future for composites and it is striking how open everyone’s knowledge is shared. An inspiring environment for everyone who is interested in advanced composites. Pontis participates as an exhibitor and we hope to welcome you on our booth!
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