Platform on civil engineering, underground infrastructure, energy, construction equipment & construction machinery
The golden company anniversary celebrated last September was not only a fitting time for VSE Industrial Automation to look back at the past. It also gave the industrial automation and motion control specialist every opportunity to look ahead to the next 50 years. Especially when it comes to providing smart and high-quality solutions for the infrastructure sector, a branch of sport within which VSE has developed from industry to a very prominent player in recent years. “We are ready for the future,” therefore believes Radboud van Dusseldorp, commercial manager on behalf of the Schoonhoven-based company. “All the ingredients are present with us to keep the infrastructure in full swing.”
Infrastructure is an increasingly important foundation within our society. To ensure that bridges, among other things, remain available and reliable at a high level, specialist knowledge of high-end engineering, industrial automation, functional safety and drive technology is essential. And that is exactly what they are so strong in at VSE Industrial Automation. “We are therefore heavily involved in large infrastructure projects,” says Van Dusseldorp. “Assignments where we can minimize risks with the help of digitalization and smart simulation. For this, we have everything we need both in terms of technology and manpower.”
The Netherlands has more than 1,500 movable bridges and nearly 2,000 locks. Many of these structures are due for renovation in the coming years. Clients in the infrastructure do not always have the knowledge of drive technology that is required for this. VSE does have that expertise. The company is therefore often called in for such projects. It was commissioned by the Mobilis and Croonwolter&dros combination to supply the new controls for the Haringvliet Bridge. When asked why such high-end infrastructure projects suit VSE so well, Van Dusseldorp's answer is clear. “During this type of work, our hardware and software engineers can fully exercise their expertise. Not everyone takes on such extensive and complex assignments. We do. Precisely because we can apply the latest technology in this. Among other things, Digital Twins and Virtual Commissioning are now standard for us and are demanded by clients such as the Department of Public Works.
Time windows for commissioning new electrical installations are scheduled far in advance and are often tight. We cannot afford to be delayed. Working with Digital Twins and Virtual Commissioning helps us with this.”
Van Dusseldorp emphasizes the great importance of virtual testing and simulation. “It's about minimizing risks. During the Site Acceptance Test (SAT) on site, you don't want to encounter any remaining points that could jeopardize the delivery date. That's why we and our partners tested all systems extensively in advance with simulation software and 3D models during the renovation of the Spijkenisse Bridge, among other projects. Pre-testing in the factory is faster, safer and more efficient than testing in the field. For the Spijkenisse Bridge, we used Siemens” NX MCD design software and the SIMIT simulation platform to simulate and virtually commission the drive system. We even linked the control boxes to a scale model of the bridge."
To ensure that infrastructure works are safe and responsible, VSE only works with a variety of technologies from renowned suppliers. At the same time, several employees hold the TÜV certificate in Functional Safety, a crucial aspect within mechanical engineering and systems integration. “In the context of safety, we ensure that our engineers have the right knowledge,” Van Dusseldorp continues. “Ensuring the availability of infrastructural objects is one of the things we do by equipping bridges with the 3B Building Block. This automation standard was developed by Yunex Traffic for Rijkswaterstaat to control, operate and monitor all dynamic functions in the bridge. These include signaling and barriers. Seven bridges in the South Holland region are gradually being equipped with this standard. This makes it less complex and at the same time more efficient for Rijkswaterstaat to manage the bridges. This contributes to high availability and thus smooth traffic flow. In 2020, the Wantijbrug became the first bridge in the Netherlands to receive the 3B standard controls, where we implemented the drives for the movable section for Vialis. This year we also equipped the Spijkenisse Bridge with this standard.”
One aspect that also receives plenty of attention at VSE during the project rollout is energy efficiency. Indeed, according to Van Dusseldorp, it is a hot topic for all parties involved in infrastructure projects. “Back in 2012, we made the Ramspol Bridge energy-neutral,” he says. “For the Spijkenisse Bridge, we applied Siemens UltraCaps, which can store and release energy briefly. Energy released during the closing of the bridge is reused for the upward movement of the bridge. We are increasingly applying UltraCaps and have even been able to halve the connection value of warehouse elevators with them. This allows us to smooth out peaks in electricity consumption. As a result, our customers can manage with less power, allowing them, for example, to install an additional installation without having to increase the capacity of their grid connection. Because of grid congestion, many companies can no longer get a heavier grid connection. Peak shaving using UltraCaps can be a solution. This has made the Spijkenisse Bridge more robust and improved its availability.”
Cooperation is also very important within VSE's field of work in order to achieve the intended end result. For example, the Wantij, Merwede and Ramspol bridges, but also the standardization of pumping stations for the Rijnland Water Board are good examples of infrastructure projects in which VSE was involved and in which cooperation proved to be the key to success. “Such large projects are not something you do alone, but rather together with partners,” said Van Dusseldorp. “We find it very motivating to think about solutions to complex issues as technicians among ourselves. That also leads to the best solution for the customer. For example, after the successful renovation of the Spijkenisse Bridge, the Yunex Traffic-Heijmans combination may continue with the renovation of the Bridge over the North. The team is now well attuned to each other, so we are working more and more efficiently. We are taking all the learning points from the Spijkenisse Bridge to this next wonderful infrastructure project.”
