Have you ever thought about how cables and pipelines are laid on the seabed? Well, it’s a challenging job but one that a Sandwell metal bending firm has made a lot easier for fibre optic telecommunications, electricity, oil and gas providers.

Barnshaw Steel Bending Group has used its plate rolling expertise to design and fabricate a main chute with side plates to help offshore vessels working on world-wide cable transition projects.

Working alongside its partner JBS Engineering – a leading supplier of services to the marine and offshore sector – Barnshaws manufactured the chute to channel cables and pipes into the water.

One of our recent #madeinsandwell Monday stars, Barnshaw Steel Bending Group specialises in metal bending services, plate rolling and bending, steel curving, pipe and tube bending, profile cutting, tube rolling and laser cutting.

The company was approached by JBS Engineering to manufacture the chute due to its renowned plate rolling capabilities. The brief for this application was to ensure that the chute is smooth and presents no opportunities for cable to snag, placing emphasis on ensuring the quality of the overall fabrication.

John Chalmers, sales engineer at Barnshaws, explained the process: “Utilising around five tonnes of high-quality steel plate, we employed our specialist plate rolling techniques to roll the main chute and its associated side plates. The rolling process ensured that the thick steel could be curved accurately with minimal welds, providing increased durability in the application. We were able to manufacture and deliver the fabrications to JBS Engineering within a week.”

Mr Chalmers went on to explain how Barnshaws’ focus on “digital design, quality and short lead-times” are contributing factors to its close relationship with JBS Engineering. He said: “Marine is one of the most challenging sectors in engineering, so to be supplying this industry is a real boost and demonstrates the diversity of our client base.”

Other sectors that the group supplies include civil engineering, rail transportation, power generation, offshore, oil and gas, and construction.

Congratulation Barnshaws, keep up the good work!

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