Terje Akerholt
Full type approval has been granted to the new generation ‘plug and play’ L01 control lever, opening the way for widespread uptake of the integrated electronic shaft system technology Norwegian supplier Lilaas believes will change the entire ship control sector.
The all-electric L01 has secured type approval from Det Norske Veritas covering International Association of Classification Societies E10 standards for control units, EN60945 standards for Marine Navigation Equipment, and the International Protection standard IP56 covering protection against access to hazardous parts, ingress of solid foreign objects and water.
The L01 can be used for Azimuth, single and double thruster/propulsion control. It features a distinctive integral display that can be customised to suit individual users, with all information available in one place. The all-electric configuration also means that the L01 requires a very shallow space beneath the lever.
However, the L01’s most compelling advantages over existing technology available for marine use are its drop-in installation and the fact that force feedback is achieved without intermediary motors.
“Type approval has allowed us to switch to full-scale industrial production of the L01 to meet demand from end-users and marine system integrators alike, ” says Terje Akerholt, Lilaas Sales & Marketing Manager Maritime. “We know that the industry has been waiting for a step change in control lever concepts, not least because the leading marine system integrators have been allocating considerable R&D funds to simplifying their own designs. Lilaas is now in position to meet series orders from shipowners for L01 units, but also to work with system integrators to offer the ‘under the plate’ innovation they have been seeking while retaining the ‘look and feel’ of the consoles their customers expect.”
The L01 is configurable for force feedback, detents and friction, features an El shaft, LED indicators, and both redundant CAN open and analogue outputs in a compact modular design.
“The L01 is also extremely price competitive with older, less streamlined control units. The idea is not to increase prices; it is to increase possibilities. Rolling out production means that sufficient units are available for the tests that will corroborate Class type approval and demonstrate the ability of the equipment to function as intended, even in the harshest marine conditions.”
About Lilaas
Lilaas AS was established as Lilaas Finnekaniske AS in 1961 by Jan Lilaas. The company has over 50 years of experience in the manufacture of precision mechanics for both shipbuilding and offshore customers. The company’s products range from simple, one-axis control levers in different sizes, hand wheels and rudder controls to azimuthing control units and multi-axis joysticks. www.lilaas.no
