Sunseeker Chooses Specialised Tensioners Designed and Manufactured by Tentec

Bolt tightening specialist, Tentec, provides luxury boat manufacturer and supplier Sunseeker with an innovative bolt tensioning solution. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) October 19, 2010 - To own a Sunseeker International luxury motor yacht is a unique experience and aspired to by many throughout the world. Not only does the company pride itself on manufacturing yachts that are the epitome of luxury and styling but also the performance is second to none. Behind every Sunseeker International yacht is a team of highly-skilled and dedicated craftsmen and engineers who combine the knowledge and use of modern technology with traditional principles to stunning effect.

The engineers are continually looking for new and novel solutions to ensure optimal performance and to provide their global support teams with tools that can optimise the scheduled service checks that need to be regularly undertaken. A recent innovation is the use of a unique tensioning tool in place of the torque wrenches originally used to tighten bolts in the engine room of vessels that had individual gearbox and coupling arrangements to twin 4" diameter propeller shafts.

The task facing the assembly engineers was to find a better solution to enable fast and efficient coupling shaft tensioning of the twin 4" diameter propellers when the boat is on the water, prior to delivery. Although the propeller couplings are assembled prior to launching the boats, the final tensioning of the 18 x 24mm bolts is not carried out until the vessel is in the water and the engine room is fully fitted out. This meant that space was severely restricted and using torque wrenches was proving particularly difficult.

At a meeting with Albert Garcia, Marine Yard Manager, Peter Koller knew that the design engineers at Tentec could provide a customised solution for Sunseeker that would solve this annoying problem. Following a series of presentations and discussions with the Sunseeker team, Tentec submitted a prototype design to prove that access was possible within the restricted space.

Using the previous torque values suggested by the propeller suppliers, Tentec converted this into an applied tensioning load of 273KN (27 Tons). The confined space of the gearbox to engine mounting limited the tool height to 90mm maximum, so the design team produced a customised tensioner with a unique tapered 'thread insert' for the 24mm bolt size. With an urgent order ready for completion, Peter Koller used the new tool to tension both the propeller shafts on Sunseeker International's new flag ship the 40m Tri-deck yacht and to show the assembly engineers the simplicity and ease of use of the equipment.

As a result of these initial trials further modifications were made to the "Sunseeker tool" that included 90º swivel connections, knurled inserts and a specialised 'C'-type Tommy bar arrangement. With the final version of the tensioner completed, it was further tested on a 130m yacht and received a seal of approval.

Further orders are expected to be placed for Tentec's tensioning equipment and the tools will be sent throughout the world to Sunseeker's support teams to carry out the 1,000 hour service checks to optimise yacht performance.

Further Details:
Paul Egginton. Tentec Ltd. Plymouth House.
Guns Lane, West Bromwich,
West Midlands B70 9HS.
Tel: + 44 (0) 121 524 1990
Fax: + 44 (0) 121 524 1999
E-mail: sales ( @ ) tentec dot net
Web: www.tentec.net
UK Press Contact:

Eileen Holmes-Ievers. In Press Public Relations Ltd. St John's Chapel, High Street, Lambourn, Berkshire. RG17 8XL. Tel. +44 (0)1488 674200

E-mail: eileen ( @ ) inpress dot co dot uk www dot inpress dot co dot uk

178TEN
October 18, 2010

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