Guido Pfister No Comments

At QuantiServ, we are dedicated to providing exceptional in-situ machining services to the maritime industry.

Over the past three months, our team has successfully completed five significant crankpin machining assignments on large two-stroke marine main engines. These projects, carried out on four different engine types built by the two market-leading OEMs, highlight our versatility and expertise.

Project Highlights

  • North America: We performed extensive crankpin machining on a container vessel, ensuring the engine’s optimal performance and reliability. Almost simultenously, we also worked on a bulk carrier, deliverig high-quality crankshaft machining services that meet the stringent standards of the maritime industry.
  • The Caribbean: Our team tackled a challenging crankpin machining job on an oil tanker, restoring the crankshaft to its full operational capacity in less than two weeks.
  • North Asia: On a Ro-Ro ship, we executed a complex crankpin machining task, demonstrating our ability to handle diverse vessel types with ease.
  • South East Asia: Another successful project involved a gas tanker, where our team ensured the engine’s reliability and efficiency through crankpin machining and other repair works.
One of the crankpins undergoing repair
One of the crankpins undergoing repair

In all these cases, we worked on crankpins from Ø 600 to 900 mm and machined off anywhere from 4 mm to 10 mm, due to excessive hardness and cracks following a bearing failure. Typically the repair work involves machining and then machine polishing of the cylindrical crankpin surface and of the fillets1. On some of these vessels our specialists worked in a single-shift modus, while on others they worked around the clock in two shifts. It always depends on the customer’s wishes and on her operational requirements.

*The fillets are the radial undercuts at the transition of the crankpin to the crank web.

One of the crankpins prior to repair
One of the crankpins prior to repair
After machining and polishing
The same crankpin after machining and polishing

Comprehensive Services

In addition to the crankpin machining work, we also provided a range of related services, including:

  • Planning: Remotely assisting the customer to find the best repair solution  and to make arrangements before the vessel even reaches the location where the repair is to be carried out.
  • Sourcing of Under-Size Bearings: : Ensuring the availability of tailor-made bearings, with short lead time. Under-size bearings have a thicker white metal layer and are usually not available off-the-shelf. They have to be produced on a case-by-case basis. Some of these bearings we produce in-house, others we source from specialized manufacturers.
  • Reconditioning of Engine Components: Extending the life and performance of critical engine parts in one of our four reconditioning centres.
  • Other Repair Works: Addressing various repair needs not related to the crankshaft, ensuring comprehensive engine maintenance.

Commitment to Excellence

Each of these projects underscores our dedication to providing reliable and efficient in-situ machining services. Our ability to mobilize almost instanteneously and to perform these tasks on-site in a 24/7 manner, saves our clients valuable time and limits loss of income. Whether it’s a container vessel, tanker, Ro-Ro ship, bulk carrier, or gas tanker, QuantiServ is equipped to handle the unique challenges of each job with precision and professionalism.

We look forward to continuing our tradition of excellence and supporting the maritime industry with our specialized in-situ machining services.

Crankpin machining whereby the cutting tool moves in a continous orbital path around the crankpin, resulting in uniform material removal
Crankpin machining whereby the cutting tool moves in a continous orbital path around the crankpin, resulting in uniform material removal
Blueing test to verify that the bearing shell makes full and even contact with the crank pin.
Final blueing test to verify that no high spots are present and that the bearing shell makes full and even contact with the crankpin

Note: All photos in this post originate from the five projects, they are not depicting the same project.

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