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Workshop Equipment
Workshop Equipment covers the machines in a rig or vessel workshop: centre lathes, milling and drilling machines, grinders, hydraulic presses, saws, arc welding and cutting sets, and complete workshop modules lifted on and off as a unit. A used machine is judged on its capacity against your largest workpiece, its measured accuracy, and whether it runs on your supply.
What a rig workshop does
A rig workshop repairs and makes parts on board so the crew is not waiting for the next supply run. Typical jobs are turning pump shafts and bushings, chasing threads, making spacers and flanges, pressing bearings on and off, and fabrication welding. Some units carry a self-contained workshop module with machines, benches and ventilation, lifted on for a campaign and off again.
Configurations
- Manual centre lathes, the core of most rig workshops
- CNC lathes and machining centres on larger units and shore bases
- Turret or knee-type milling machines and pillar or radial drills
- Hydraulic workshop presses, bench or floor-standing
- Arc welding sets for manual metal arc (MMA), metal inert or active gas (MIG/MAG), tungsten inert gas (TIG) and gouging
- Workshop modules, in a pressurised version for use in a hazardous area
Key specifications
| Parameter | Why it matters | Typical classes or units |
|---|---|---|
| Lathe swing and centre distance | Sets the largest part you can turn | mm or inches |
| Spindle bore | Sets the bar stock that passes through | mm or inches |
| Mill table and travel | Sets workpiece size | mm or inches per axis, spindle taper |
| Welding output and duty cycle | Sets continuous welding current | Amps at percent duty cycle |
| Press force | Sets bearing and bushing work | Tonnes or kN |
| Supply | Must match the rig | Volts, hertz, phases |
| Module mass and rating | Sets crane and deck limits | Maximum gross mass in kg, fire integrity class |
Standards and certification
The IEC 60974 series covers arc welding equipment. IEC 60974-1 sets the safety requirements and the duty cycle rating, measured at 40 C over a ten-minute cycle. IEC 60974-4 covers periodic inspection and testing of welding equipment in use. IEC 60974-14 covers calibration, validation and consistency testing. You need it where welding procedures depend on the machine's displayed current and voltage. ISO 230-1 gives the test code for geometric accuracy of machine tools. A workshop module lifted offshore needs its frame and lifting set certified to DNV-ST-E271 (2.7-1) or DNV-ST-E273 (2.7-3), and its equipment and safety systems often to DNV-ST-E272 (2.7-2), renamed "Equipment assemblies" in 2024. In the UK, PUWER covers machine guarding and maintenance.
Failure modes and inspection
- Lathe and mill bed ways wear near the chuck, where most work happens. Check with a straightedge and dial indicator.
- Spindle bearings wear, giving run-out and chatter. Measure run-out at the spindle nose and on a test bar.
- Lead screws and cross slides develop backlash. Measure it at the dials.
- Headstock gears chip and get noisy. Run through every speed.
- Welding inverters suffer corroded boards and failed fans in salt air. Open the casing and check output with a calibrated load.
- Press cylinders leak and frames crack at welds. Check the seals, the frame welds and the pressure gauge calibration.
A test cut on a bar, measured for roundness and taper, shows a lathe's state better than any photo.
Documentation
- Nameplate photos with supply rating and serial number
- Accuracy test results to ISO 230-1 or the maker's test chart
- Welding set inspection records to IEC 60974-4, and calibration to IEC 60974-14 where needed
- CNC parameter backups, software version and option licences
- Module certificate, lifting set certificate, fire rating and hazardous area documents
- Manuals and spare parts lists
Integration and compatibility
Match each nameplate to your supply. A 50 Hz motor on 60 Hz runs about 20 percent faster, which changes spindle speeds and gearbox loading. Check floor loading and holding-down points for heavy machines on a moving deck, and access for a crane or gantry and overhead cranes. A module needs power, fresh air, drainage and, if pressurised, gas detection that trips power on gas ingress. Its lifting set and padeyes belong with offshore containers and baskets.
Refurbishment and recertification
Manual machine tools rebuild well. Regrinding or scraping ways, new spindle bearings and gibs, and a new motor for your supply give years of service. Older CNC machines are harder, because control boards and drives may be out of production. Welding sets are cheap to replace, so buy used only when the process range suits your welding procedures. Modules need a periodic inspection and a valid lifting set before their first lift.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What size lathe does an offshore rig workshop need?
Size a rig lathe for the largest part your crew repairs on board, such as a pump shaft or a large bushing. Compare the swing over bed and the distance between centres with that part, and the spindle bore with your bar stock. Most rig workshops run a manual centre lathe.
What should I check on a used lathe?
On a used lathe, check bed way wear near the chuck, spindle run-out, cross slide backlash and headstock gear noise at every speed. A test cut on a bar, measured for roundness and taper, shows its accuracy best. Also confirm the motor matches your supply voltage and frequency.
Does a used welding machine need calibration?
A used welding machine needs calibration or validation to IEC 60974-14 when your welding procedures rely on its displayed current and voltage. All welding sets should also pass periodic inspection and testing to IEC 60974-4 before use. Open the casing to check for salt air corrosion on the boards.
What certification does an offshore workshop module need?
An offshore workshop module needs its structure, padeyes and lifting set certified as a lifted unit, usually to DNV-ST-E271 or DNV-ST-E273. A DNV-ST-E272 certificate often covers its installed equipment and fire integrity on top. A module used in a hazardous area also needs pressurisation, gas detection and shutdown that suit the zone.
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