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Training = Efficiency Climax's initiative is far from a tool's based solution, as the company is cur- rently putting the finishing touches on its all-encompassing training program that is designed to fill a void. Though worlds apart, the needs in the U.S. and China, for example, are strikingly simi- lar, as the U.S. shipbuilders have watched experienced workers exit with market attrition, and a recent influx of business means a young new generation needs training. In China the situation is different, yet similar, as a massive workforce is in need of training as the newbuild market quickly ramps up. China also realized the need to invest in modern facilities and tool systems in order to attract new, higher level customers, Gilmore said. Through the solutions package, Climax engineers help shipbuilding and repair organizations develop cost-effective solutions for the building process, and for the retrofit or re-design of outdated equipment. The company's training offerings also help diversify the skill sets of overspecialized workers or expand the skills of under-trained machinists. Climax Portable Machine Tools pro- vides its solutions to shipbuilders like Northrop Grumman/Ingalls, General Dynamics Electric Boat and Northrop Grumman/Newport News, as well as to service organizations within these industries. Climax Meets North Sea Challenge A few years ago Norse Cutting & Abandonment a.s., a service company in Stavanger, Norway, had a contract to square up eight 5 x 10-ft. (1.5 x 3-m) steel plates that had warped after being welded into place on Odin, a freighter. Odin was being converted into a mobile drilling rig, so the plates had to be milled within I mm and laser aligned The Climax PM6000 portable milling machine used to mill eight 5' by 10' steel plates on the Odin, in Stavanger, Norway. The silver cloth on the bottom is used to contain chips form falling through grates below the plate. to the other plates to later accept the oil tanks. Norse contacted Climax for help. The Climax engineers analyzed the situ- ation, recommended the right tool and fixturing, and provided onsite supervi- sion and training for the job. Ship conversions like this typically include extensive modifications and involve large amounts of additional steel welded to the structure. It is common to see warping under these circumstances. Since such structures are immovable, and grinding does not provide the need- ed precision, portable machine tools were an appropriate fit. Climax met the challenge, helping Norse to finish the job in 18 days, three days earlier than scheduled. Climax con- Repair & Conversion tinues to provide Norse Abandonment with comprehensive services that include engineering consulting services specialized training in machining tech- niques, as well as its widely-utilized, comprehensive line of portable machine tools. Climax is currently helping Norse remove oil wells from the North Sea. Circle 33 on Reader Service Card Please send your inquiries to: Client & Agent Communication Department Phone: (599)9-733-0266/276 Telefax: (599)9-736-5580 E-mail: cac@cdmnv.com Website: www.cdmnv.com Circle 207 on Reader Service Card October 2003 41 Curasao Drydock Company, Inc YARD Shiprepair • Conversion • Engineering PRS Portrepair • On-Voyage Services w TAKK LONDON