Numorex plasma cutting system starts work on aircraft carrier

When the programme to build the nation's new aircraft carriers gained further momentum during February 2010, ESAB Cutting Systems' plasma cutting technology was centre stage. Portsmouth Naval Base is the future home of the Queen Elizabeth Class ships and Secretary of State for Defence, Bob Ainsworth, pushed the button on BAE Systems' new state-of-the-art ESAB Numorex plasma steel cutter to mark the start of full-scale production there.

The team at Portsmouth is building Lower Block 2, one of the large structures, that forms part of the hull on the first ship, HMS Queen Elizabeth. Housing machinery spaces, stores, switchboards and some of the ship's accommodation, this block alone will weigh around 6000 tonnes and will stand over 18m tall and 70m long.

ESAB's Numorex meets the strict demands of BAE Systems for a cutting machine that has the capability to provide all the metal cutting requirements in the production of the aircraft carrier. It is a highly productive machine offering process flexibility. It can cut, mark and bevel cut using both the plasma and the oxy-fuel gas processes while also operating to high health and safety and environmental standards through its underwater cutting capability.

In all, six shipyards across the UK will be involved in the manufacture of the ships' hulls, supporting up to 8000 jobs in the construction and up to another 3000 throughout the supply chain. ESAB Cutting Systems has already supplied a large Telerex cutting machine equipped with plasma cutting technology and ink jet marking to BAE Systems' shipyard in Govan.

For further information about ESAB Numorex and Telerex cutting systems, contact ESAB Cutting Systems by calling +44 (0)1264 332233 or email [email protected].