Renishaw Fanbeam 5 | Laser Dynamic Positioning Reference System

Renishaw Fanbeam 5: The Standard in Laser Dynamic Positioning

The Renishaw Fanbeam 5 is a high-tech laser-based position reference system that offshore vessels use to stay in the right place when loading, unloading, and building. The Fanbeam 5 uses a 360° scanning laser to follow passive tube or prism clusters. This is different from DGNSS, which can have problems with signal blockage near tall buildings.

This model has better tilt correction and more complex filtering algorithms that can tell the difference between real targets and reflecting sea spray or crew PPE. This makes sure that the DP system only obtains high-quality data.

Technical Specifications

Key Features

1) Intelligent Target Identification: Employs sophisticated software to screen out false reflections from reflective safety gear, rain, or seabirds.

2) Enhanced Vertical Tracking: The system’s wide vertical fan beam enables it to maintain a focus on targets even as the vessel pitches and rolls in heavy swells.

3) Robust Marine Construction: Enclosed in a hard-anodized aluminum casing with a heated window to prevent freezing and condensation in sub-zero offshore conditions.

4) High-Speed Data Output: Provides the DP desk with real-time position updates, thereby minimizing the thruster hunt and reducing fuel consumption.

5) User-Friendly Interface: The Fanbeam Controller software provides a clear visual representation of the objective status and working environment.

Applications

• Platform Supply Vessels (PSVs): They keep the station running while cargo is transferred to oil rigs.
• Diving Support Vessels (DSVs) provide solid reference points for subsea operations.
• Shuttle Tankers: Precision positioning for tandem loading operations.
• Offshore construction involves aligning heavy-lift boats with jacket structures or wind turbine foundations.
• Anchor Handling: Safe movement in close proximity to other assets.

Our Expert Engineer Insights:

1. To avoid multipath interference that might cause ghost targets, don’t mount near horizontal bulkheads or stainless vents. Use software sector blanking to tell the sensor to ignore areas where reflections are causing problems.
2. Keep your optics clear: Salt buildup scatters laser light. Apply a hydrophobic ceramic coating to the lens glass behind the wiper to keep salt from sticking and to keep the signal steady during heavy rain or other precipitation.
3. Make sure there is no debris on the power and ground: Using a separate UPS for the 24V DC supply is a good idea to keep the sensor from getting dirty ship power. Make sure that static doesn’t get into the RS-422 data stream.