Brosa Invests in High-Power Calibration Technology
Tettnang, south Germany-based Brosa, the manufacturer of high precision and robust load cells and pressure transducers, has a history reaching back 80 years. With its customers demanding sensors with an ever-increasing measurement range, Brosa has invested in its most powerful calibration machine to date. Brosa applies the machine to calibrate force sensors for its clients. One of these is GustoMSC, which use the sensors for force measurement on jack-up rigs.
Brosa is a leading manufacturer of load cells and pressure transducers, as well as electronic components. The company has a vertical range of manufacture over 95 percent and specialises in customer specific sensors for safety-related applications. With over 100 employees, Brosa produces upwards of 12,000 sensors per year. Brosa has an impressive portfolio of work in the offshore industry including sensors for offshore cranes, pipe-laying vessels, chain stoppers for FPSOs, hoists and quick release hooks as well as many examples in other maritime fields.
Development & Innovation
As a manufacturer of customised sensors, Brosa requires a strong R&D and construction team. Manufacturing takes place at the company’s large facility in Germany. To ensure proximity to its clients, Brosa has operated subsidiaries in the Netherlands and Singapore for many years. More recently, the company opened a third subsidiary in Norway in 2014.
Martin Wagner, Managing Director of Brosa says investment in the new machine is all about providing a high standard of service to clients. “We always try to accomplish current and future requirements of our customers. This is only possible through permanent further development and innovation. And we are proud to be one of the few leading companies in Europe which is able to calibrate such high loads.”
The test machine is being used to calibrate the sensors and to verify compliance with the customer specifications, regarding the measuring of accuracy.
Fit & Forget
Mr Wagner explains the benefits to both client and company alike: “Now we do not have to take our sensors to an external institution to calibrate them – we can do it in-house. This saves time and money – benefits that will be passed on to our customers.
“Furthermore, our sensors only have to be calibrated once. This means that the customer can assemble the sensor in their machine and start working. They never have to recalibrate – fit and forget. And, due to the fact that we overload the sensor to a specific extent, our sensors have long-term stability.”
All Under One Roof
The high loads Mr Wagner refers to are as much as 12MN – this is because GustoMSC required that it be able to measure within a range of -3,400 and +5,700kN.
As a result of this investment, the company will be able to process client orders faster and more cost-effectively – with all types of production taking place beneath one roof.
This, Mr Wagner says, provides the additional advantage that every step of the work is carried out to the high in-house standards that are a hallmark of the company.
Positive Economics
The new machine comes as a direct result of the company’s successes, Mr Wagner states, and with the new addition he trusts he will see a wider penetration of the offshore sector.
“The purchase was only possible due to our positive economic situation and increasing order numbers. I feel confident that we can expand our share in the offshore market thanks to the acquisition of this calibration machine as well as constant further development in the field of sensor technology,” he says.
One Step Ahead
The company is of the philosophy that only those who are passionate about developing products will never stop asking questions. The aim is that, continual evolution of the product range, with the intention of exceeding client expectations, will ensure Brosa stays one step ahead of market requirements.
“We wish to continue to cope with future technical challenges and innovations together with our customers. With regards to increasing automation, higher and higher measuring ranges and more robust sensors are needed. With our new calibration machine we can manage fundamental research in sectors we have previously been unable to penetrate.”