Lack of system integration can cause problems, regardless the existance of rules and regulatons

Systems become more sophisticated and knowledge about interaction between systems is getting more complex.
Ship builders often do not have the knowledge or capacity to perform the necessary checks on correct system integration.
Ship builders and ship owners are reluctant to contract third parties to provide the necessary knowledge.
In some cases there is not enough knowledge about real operating conditions in practice.
The communication between sub-suppliers is insufficient, partly due to globalisation of the production of subsystems.
Knowledge and experience concerning root cause failures and system integration is not passed on to the next generation of engineers which means that nowadays the same problems arise again. Porblems, that were already solved 20 years ago.
Measurements performed during sea trials and commissioning are far below the absolute minimum that is necessary to obtain the desired
insight in dynamic behaviour of ship (propulsion) systems.
Ship owners often assume that systems will be trouble free if they are Class approved.

Techno addresses all these aspect when evaluating the design of a ship, or plant.

	Cases Techno Fysica BV is a Dutch-based engineering company, highly specialised in solving all kinds of problems related to the dynamic loading of machinery and installations. For this, several measuring and analysis techniques are used. In a series of articles, we will give examples of what can go wrong in the engineering and operating of vessels, and what errors lie at the root of the damages observed.
	With lack of system integration, even of the best components can suffer serious problems

	In spite of the growing number of calculation tools and consultants, and the stringent rules imposed by classification societies, on the market and the increased involvement of Classification Societies in the design and engineering stage of ships, the number of failures, caused by a lack of system integration increases. According to Techno Fysica B.V.’s experience, this is by far the most important cause of failures and outnumbers causes due to faulty material, machining or assembly.
	There are several reasons for this phenomenon: Systems become more sophisticated and knowledge about interaction between systems is getting more complex. Ship builders often do not have the knowledge or capacity to perform the necessary checks on correct system integration. Ship builders and ship owners are reluctant to contract third parties to provide the necessary knowledge. In some cases there is not enough knowledge about real operating conditions in practice. The communication between sub-suppliers is insufficient, partly due to globalisation of the production of subsystems. Knowledge and experience concerning root cause failures and system integration is not passed on to the next generation of engineers which means that nowadays the same problems arise again. Porblems, that were already solved 20 years ago. Measurements performed during sea trials and commissioning are far below the absolute minimum that is necessary to obtain the desired insight in dynamic behaviour of ship (propulsion) systems. Ship owners often assume that systems will be trouble free if they are Class approved. Techno addresses all these aspect when evaluating the design of a ship, or plant.
	For more info, please contact techno Fysica BV in the Netherlands at: Techno Fysica BV p.o. box 351 2990 AJ Barendrecht The Netherlands Tel. +31 180 620211 Fax. +31 180 620705 info@technofysica.nl www.technofysica.nl