On Tuesday, July 4th, 2023, the fourth-year students (GGMM 2º) of the Degree in Mechanical Engineering taught at the Defense University Center at the Spanish Naval Academy (CUD-ENM) visited the facilities of the company Wärtsilä Ibérica SA located in Porriño (Pontevedra), accompanied by Professor D. Miguel Ángel Álvarez Feijoo.
The Wärtsilä Group develops technologies and solutions for the marine and power markets (combined heat and power plants and the oil and gas industry). Its main customers include navies from different countries.
The fourth-year students were welcomed by Mr. José Avalle (Safety Manager) and Mr. Ignacio Fernández Gil (Sales). The plant visited is dedicated to the design, manufacture and repair of bearings, couplings and tail shafts, among other elements necessary for the propulsion of a ship.
In the approximately two hours that the visit lasted, the students had the opportunity to visit different areas of the plant. First of all, during the visit to the workshop, the students went through the machining lines, where they were able to see the application of concepts covered in Fundamentals of Manufacturing Systems and Technologies and Naval Machines and Engines (fourth year subjects of the degree). Part of the attention was focused on laser coating technologies (proprietary technologies patented by the company) and those related to anti-friction materials. The development of these robotic manufacturing processes using laser technology has enabled Wärtsilä to reduce its production costs and successfully enter new markets.
Subsequently, the GGMM 2º visited the Engineering and Product Development department. In this context, it was explained how some of the conditioning factors of the company’s business model lie in the development of technological solutions adapted to the customer’s needs in the different fields of action. Thanks to this approach, the company’s developments can be customized to meet the design of specific vessels and their operational needs.
The visit ended with a commemorative photo of all participants.