Yachting has for some time been evolving rapidly and adopting on board electromechanical technologies, benefiting not only from high performance and quiet running but also high energy efficiency made available with very little bulk and lower environmental impact.
These are features that the Setec Group has packed into the high performance linear systems in the Electromast, Seard and Electrotraslo series, a range of components patented, designed and made specifically for applications on yachts.
“These linear systems,” says Fabio Seminatore, director-general and managing director, “are without doubt the natural evolution the yachting sector is undergoing, in favour of an increasing use of new electromechanical technologies. It’s a change that brings with it also a lower environmental impact, something an increasing amount of attention is being paid to.”
Added value that draws on the transverse competences and design and production experience built up by the Turin Group in all the main world markets.
Three telescopic units
Among the linear systems mentioned above, Electromast is a purely electromechanical telescopic linear cylinder made up of 3 rods in carbon fibre and activated by transmission components in special treated light alloy. Designed and made to hoist nav lights at the bow on vessels of more than 50 m, since it is completely electromechanical the system needs no hydraulic activation.
“This means it has no dedicated powerpack,” says Seminatore, “it has no tubes, valves and above all does not need hundreds of litres of oil for the long range of movement required. This means that in ecological terms, since it is a system with double effect cylindrical electromechanical development, the risk of oil spills into the hold and potentially into the sea are eliminated at the source. In addition, there are no risks of hydraulic pipes under pressure bursting with risk of fire and pollution in the sea.”
A quiet and energy-saving actuator
The actuator has been specially designed to be mechanically un-reversible: once in position, Electromast requires no electric power. This means it consumes little energy and only when it is activated.
“It is completely hollow inside,” says Seminatore, “and the system allows electric cables to power the lights to pass inside it. So the cables are fully protected, not insight and can be wound automatically at the base, ensuring an aesthetic as well as a functional advantage.
Bear in mind that all that protrudes from the deck are three carbon fibre rods and their flanges in thick anodised aluminium. In addition, thanks to the use of transmission systems with intrinsically low noise emission, the actuator is particularly quiet working overall.”
Note that the internal mechanical activating system of this actuator is two-directional. It acts in a positive way in both directions, extending and retracting the rods. So if there are any salt deposits that tend to block retraction, the internal transmission pulls the 3 rods down, overcoming the obstacle. Setec is attentive to market requirements and has taken much care over the ease of installation of the actuator, fitting and upper flange close to the base of the rods that can be used to fix Electromast firmly to the structure of the vessel. Yard technicians thus only need to fit a radial ring in order to avoid tilting.
“Once the adjustable electromechanical end stops on the standard version have been calibrated,” says Seminatore, “or using dedicated Controlmast electronics of the encoder of the Evo version, to complete installation you just need to connect a few electrical cables. So installation takes much less time than more typical hydraulic solutions.”
Remote activation of opening and closing and movement
Again for marine applications, Setec has also designed, manufactured and patented Seard, a purely electromechanical electro cylinder for linear activation of systems for opening and closing hatches, platforms, tender hoists, rudders and other equipment.
“As with the Electromast activators,” says Seminatore, “precisely because they are purely electromechanical, the Seard electro cylinder is also ensure compactness, respect for the environment, maximum energy efficiency and completely silent operation.”
If the main motor of the actuator does not work, it is possible to activate remotely. “Activation by remote control,” says Seminatore, “can be carried out by a mechanical unit with a special flexible cable or by an auxiliary electric motor. In particular for electric helming systems, the Seard system is the only one in the world with “Type Approval” certification from the R.I.N.A. naval registry for steering systems.”
As a natural consequence of Setec product evolution, the Electrotraslo linear handling systems are an interesting innovation in the yachting sector as they are completely electromechanical. According to the requirements of the layout of the tender garage of the yacht, they can be mounted on the floor, ceiling or wall.
“This latter solution, which is being patented,” says Seminatore, “makes it possible to keep the garage low so as not to increase the gross tonnage of the vessel.”
The Electrotraslo series offers load capacities of up to several tonnes. The aerial solution with two arms integrates the support, sliding and rotation of the hatch and the movement of the winch is holding the tender in a perfectly synchronised way, as the movements are effected through brushless servomotors controlled in position.
All Setec Group products can be supplied in a standard version, in special versions or designed and developed ad hoc for individual requirements.
“Supplying customised products,” says Seminatore, “as well as ex-novo solutions, is for us an important strong point and differentiates us in the market. We can guarantee this thanks to our internal mechatronic centre where engineers can develop highly customised technologies that are state-of-the-art and sometimes unconventional.”
