A Structural Adhesive Transforms the Hovercraft Assembly Process
Hovertravel successfully completed sea trials on two 12000TD craft constructed with SCIGRIP’s adhesive bonding techniques.
Griffon Hoverwork, a designer and manufacturer of technically advanced hovercrafts, has collaborated with SCIGRIP to develop and produce its latest vessel. The newly completed 12000TD is a 22-m passenger craft that reportedly represents a significant shift in manufacturing techniques for the UK hovercraft company.
The craft was specially commissioned by Hovertravel, the world’s longest-running commercial hovercraft service that offers the fastest way to cross the Solent between Southsea, Portsmouth, and Ryde, Isle of Wight. Traditionally, Griffon Hoverwork had used welding methods to assemble the key components of its vessels. However, this method can result in heat distortion that leads to dimensional instability and other problems such as porosity or localized stress points.