BUSINESS

How is your company doing overall? I think we can say that all indicators are developing favourably. Given the current situation on the market where the demand for automated and robotised solutions continues to grow, it is time for us to consider our future development and direction. Currently, we already know in advance that we will be operating at full load for a fairly long time, which is a good thing of course, but it also means that we need to keep looking for new approaches and develop new capacities in order to preserve our signature strong connection with our existing customers, employees and suppliers, and to create such a connection with new customers as well. Are you preparing something new for the next year or the near future? We have been operating in the market of the Czech Republic and neighbouring countries since 2004 and our team has grown since that time from the original two individuals to the current total of around 15 people. Our turnover in the above mentioned countries is in hundreds of millions of Czech crowns. Since we have seen similar growth among our colleagues in other European countries, we decided to build a new base in the MS Region for our business activities and to expand it in the future. This step will also involve development and production of the most advanced robotic systems on the territory of the region. 28

|

POSITIV 2017/2018

Interesting Projects in Valk Welding: 3D Printing of a Ship Propeller A prototype of the world’s first 3D printed propeller was recently introduced in Rotterdam. Thanks to the knowledge and experience gained during the production of the prototype, a second certified piece will be printed next year and installed onto a tug boat for practical testing. The production of this 400 kg propeller is a milestone in the technology of 3D printing with the use of a welding robot. It means that large metal components can now be produced using this technology with lower cost and time requirements. This 1,350 mm large propeller was produced by a consortium of companies which included Valk Welding. The nickelaluminium-bronze alloy propeller was created using Wide Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) technology utilising a robotic welding system by Valk Welding. Production of the New York Ferris Wheel The beginning of 2016 marked the start of production of the largest observation wheel in the world. With an impressive height of 192 meters, it will be located on Staten Island in the New York Harbour in the St. George neighbourhood. One of the suppliers for the project is the company Huisman, providing the hub and spindle, A-frames, drive towers and rigid spokes. The connection of the rim with the centrepiece and the 11 metre long spokes are

produced by the Czech division called Huisman Konstrukce using the welding technology of Valk Welding. Huisman Konstrukce has two welding robots and one robot for the preparation of edges via plasma cutting thick plates. The company has considerably expanded its knowledge base and experience with the use of welding robots over the last four years with support and training from Valk Welding. Production of Ecological Boilers In recent years, Valk Welding supplied several welding robots for the welding of ecological boilers which aid in improving the environment, especially in regions with high air pollution. Several such projects were also implemented in the MS Region, which is undoubtedly one of the regions facing issues like that. Text and photo: Jakub Vavrečka, redaction

Valk Welding CZ, s.r.o. Podnikatelský areál 323/18 CZ-742 51 Mošnov tel.: +420 556 730 954 fax: +420 556 731 680 info@valkwelding.cz www.valkwelding.cz