Teignbridge Propellers 7366

TEIGNBRIDGE PROPELLERS

PRECISION PERFORMANCE

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TEIGNBRIDGE PROPELLERS

I PROFILE

A designer and manufacturer of precision performance propellers, stern gear and propulsion products, Teignbridge Propellers offers optimised solutions for motor yachts, fast patrol boats, super yachts and tankers.

Managing Director Mark Phare discussed expansion and specialised technology, in conversation with Antonia Cole.

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T

eignbridge Propellers utilises

stern gear, the company’s wealth of

advanced industry technologies to

knowledge and experience enables a

provide the most effective solutions

detailed and attentive customer service.

to clients, Managing Director Mark Phare

Over four sites, Teignbridge employs

said: “We use CFD, simulation software

over 150 people. The company is head-

and finite element analysis in our projects

quartered in Newton Abbott, UK, and

to guarantee superior performance.

has facilities in India, UAE and Indonesia,

“Our investment into a new five-axis CNC

totalling over 65,000ft2 of floor space.

Mazak milling machine has revolutionised

As the largest propeller and stern gear

the standard and quality of our propeller

producer of its kind in Europe, Teignbridge’s

manufacturing capability. We are dedicated

turnover has grown steadily by 10%

to innovation and using the best technology

every year.

to secure the highest quality results.”

“With the foundry and factory in India,

Established in 1974, Teignbridge has

plus the new facility in Batam, Indonesia,

recently celebrated 50 years in business.

our capacity is increasing in line with our

Offering premium bronze propellers and

planned growth,” added Mr Phare.

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BIRD STAINLESS We at Bird Stainless are proud to be a family-owned company based in the heart of the steel city of Sheffield.

Founded in 1987, we are a stainless-steel stockholder and precision grinders, specialising in centreless ground shafts. Situated on 2.6 acres, we have a large stockholding facility carrying over 2,500 tonnes.

Our in-house processing facilities consist of fourteen saws, five centreless grinding machines and two straightening presses.

editorial mention

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TEIGNBRIDGE PROPELLERS

I PROFILE

“We have also started building a new

of the Indian domestic market and sup-

factory at our Newton Abbot site. This

port the Made in India initiative, supplying

2,000m 2 factory unit will facilitate the

to Indian Government projects. Then, we

provision of robotics for the foundry,

also wanted a competitive manufacturing

a new fabrication shop, plus a number

plant in the Asia region. All these goals

of CNC lathes and mills.”

have been achieved, but there is still much more potential within this market

Expansion into Asia

to explore.”

The foundry and factory in Gujarat, India,

The new factory in Batam also aligns

has been in operation for six years, making

with Teinbridge’s strategy to increase

a significant impact on the success of

operations within Asia. Housing a modern

the company. With a melting capacity of

machine shop, capable of manufacturing

3,000kg, the modern foundry is approved

shafts up to 400mm diameter, stern tubes,

by IRS, LRS, BV, ABS DNV-GL, KR and more.

couplings, brackets and rudders, the

This technologically advanced machinery

facility is equipped to satisfy demanding

enables Teignbridge to offer a high-quality

requirements. As well as propeller repair

service to customers.

equipment, the site also has technical,

“Our site in India has been very successful in achieving the strategic goals of the

sales and administration offices.

“Having a local facility supports

company,” explained Mr Phare. “We

domestic Indonesian Government pro-

wanted to capture a significant portion

jects and provides valuable support to

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our many customers in this region,”

Advanced machinery

continued Mr Phare. “The importance of

Teignbridge has invested in a new five-

Singapore is clear to Teignbridge and our

axis CNC Mazak milling machine, with

facility is a short ferry journey away. This

the capability to fully CNC machine all

reinforces our growing activity there.”

propeller surfaces to the thickness of

In pattern making processes, the com-

a human hair. This results in an exact

pany uses the latest 3D printers and CNC

replication of the original design, better

machines to ensure the rapid and accu-

than ISO S Class tolerances.

rate replication of designed components.

“The CNC Mazak machine has revolu-

Modern moulding techniques are used

tionised the standard and quality of our

to produce high-precision castings and

propeller manufacturing capability,”

a large range of CNC lathes and milling

commented Mr Phare. “The finished

machines enable the versatility to meet

product offers enhanced performance,

individual customer specifications.

no vibration and complete repeatability

With several MRI Scanning Computerised

should a spare be required.

Pitchometers, Teignbridge guarantees

“As the machine is fully programmable

repeatable and high-quality manufac-

and has a two-pallet system, it could be

turing standards. Also, a fully integrated

loaded with two propeller castings on

Enterprise Resource Planning software

a Friday afternoon, to then produce two

system facilitates effective operations.

fully machined propellers by Monday

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TEIGNBRIDGE PROPELLERS

I PROFILE

morning. With a capacity of up to 2.2m

first full-sized, autonomous unmanned

diameter, it is an integral part of our

ship to cross the Atlantic Ocean.

growth investment strategy.”

Additionally, the company utilises

“We are also undertaking research to develop extremely quiet propellers, suit-

StarCCM+ CDF software to design shaft

able for military applications. Our R&D

brackets and rudders, ensuring maximum

department has a number of grant-

performance. Vessel rudders are subjected

funded projects investigating new types

to propeller induced velocities, where the

of propulsion to support our global cus-

flow angle varies along the rudder span

tomer base.”

and chord, plus reduced velocity magnitude on the top of the rudder due to the

Overcoming challenges

hull boundary layer.

The resilience of Teignbridge derives

Teignbridge undertakes transient CFD

from its global reach, industry relation-

simulations to assess the conditions

ships and presence within a variety of

surrounding the rudder. Monitoring the

marine sectors, including superyachts,

water flow along the leading edge, the

military, leisure and commercial. Through

company adjusts the blade section twist

strategically located facilities, the company

to align with mean inflow conditions. This

is close to most major markets and can

reduces drag and enhances the vessels

offer local support.

performance, typically by between 1kn and 2kn.

“We have a small number of suppliers that have supported us for many years,”

“We have a number of technologically

said Mr Phare. “As a large portion of our

advanced projects underway relating to

projects are custom-designed unique

electrically driven boats” added Mr Phare.

propulsion systems, we have very

“This includes work on The Mayflower

particular requirements. Therefore, we

400 autonomous vessel, the world's

work very closely with our suppliers and

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have established some very strong rela-

“We can be proud of the Teignbridge

tionships over the years. We value their

team who rose to the challenge on this

continued support.”

project,” continued Mr Phare. “The dedi-

Teignbridge is currently completing

cation of our staff has allowed us to com-

its largest ever order of 17 Robert Allen-

plete various projects like this. We invest

designed tugs, which are being built in Asia.

into our people and processes, having

The company’s UK facility is manufacturing

plans for expansion in the UK and over-

all the stern gear, except the Kort Nozzles

seas, as well as new R&D and machinery.

that are from a European partner.

“I am very proud of our 50-year history of

Despite the challenge of producing 34

innovation, quality, growth and expertise.

propellers and shaft lines in a short period

The Company is well positioned to continue

of time, without impacting existing cus-

on the same trajectory for the next 50 years.

tomers, Teignbridge has been successful

We are embracing the diverse propulsion

and the last boat sets shipped by the

systems being developed and expect to

end of August 2024.

remain a global leader far into the future.”n Inside marine 265