Ampelmann

Ampelmann develops solutions and services that allow people – literally – to cross safely at sea. From walkways that connect ships to wind turbines to drones that deliver parts at a height of 150 meters. We spoke with Nick de Lange, innovation manager of projects at Ampelmann.

Ampelmann originated from a problem: How do you reach a wind turbine from a heaving ship? During an offshore wind conference in Berlin in 2002, the founders came up with the idea of a dynamic platform that could compensate for these movements. “The solution had to be as simple for the user as crossing the street, but at sea,” explains De Lange. Since then, Ampelmann’s global offerings include advanced gangway systems that provide safe access to offshore installations 

Hexapod: six degrees of freedom

The technology of their dynamic walkways is unique: six hydraulic cylinders compensate for all six degrees of freedom of movement. In fact, a ship can move in six directions: over the three axes (x, y and z axes), the ship can translate – moving from front to back, left to right, top to bottom – and rotate about those three axes. “From a ship, we can use a walkway to reach a structure at sea, such as a wind turbine. Our installation on the ship, the hexapod, makes the walkway so stable that you don’t feel any movement,” De Lange says.

Innovation from practice

Ampelmann considers itself a service provider. “We are not a classic product supplier, but deliver complete solutions: including installation, maintenance and 24/7 service,” says De Lange. An example of another solution the company provides are drones for delivering parts at height. Furthermore, Ampelmann is also developing a “mobile maintenance platform” that allows mechanics to repair wind turbine rotor blades. These solutions stem directly from customer needs. De Lange: “Our sales people pick up ideas from the market. An innovation team with colleagues from multiple disciplines then develops an idea into a feasible, realistic concept. We then test with the customer whether the concept can be a solution to the problem. If it catches on, we take it to work.”

‘We use patents primarily defensively, particularly to protect the technology we develop ourselves’

Nick de Lange – Ampelmann

People and knowledge make the difference

To protect their intellectual property, Ampelmann works closely with V.O. A number of Ampelmann’s inventions, such as the software that controls hexapods, have been patented. “We use patents primarily defensively, particularly to protect the technology we develop ourselves,” De Lange explains. “But our strength is not only in the technology. The know-how of our people and our services are often also a barrier for competitors. This is also where we really make a difference.”