VEEM Propellers

VEEM Limited began manufacturing propellers in 1956 and has since delivered tens of thousands of propellers to meet the needs of a multitude of users in the leisure, high speed naval and work boat markets. 

VEEM is at the forefront of propeller technology in the world. VEEM’s patented revolutionary Interceptor Propeller™ allows changes to the pitch of the propeller at any time. VEEM can rely on a database of thousands of vessels which it uses to constantly verify and fine tune its designs. This enables VEEM's Naval Architects to optimize each vessel's performance.

With over 50 years of propeller manufacturing behind us, VEEM offers a complete range of products and services to the marine sector. VEEM leads the industry in the development of propeller design and manufacturing technology. Application of state-of-the-art technology ensures that VEEM propellers are of the highest possible performance and quality. Ongoing research into both design and manufacturing is integral to our business.

VEEM's expertise extends beyond design of a product, our professional Naval Architecture and Engineering staff provide a solution, not just a propeller. We are able to design and manufacture a propeller tailored to your boat, allowing you to 'fit and forget'. In addition to new construction, VEEM is renowned for its prompt, high quality repair and refurbishment of propellers.

Based in Perth, Western Australia, VEEM supplies products internationally to clients who value quality and need confidence in what they receive.

As a quality endorsed company we strive to achieve best practice in all functions of our business and to exceed our customers' expectations at every opportunity.

VEEM Manufacturing

VEEM offers flexibility in propeller designs that no other manufacturer can match. 

Veems' technologically advanced manufacturing process allows a custom propeller design to be supplied for each vessel application, with no impact to price or lead time. Why settle for a standard propeller when VEEM can offer a custom design solution for your boat, ensuring you obtain maximum performance with the smoothest possible operation. All VEEM propellers are fully CNC machined using the latest equipment available, ensuring the highest accuracy and quality possible. VEEM has a strong list of base propeller designs and can provide you with the optimum propeller to suit each application.

VEEM propeller manufacturing is strictly controlled under the company's ISO 9001:2000 certified quality management system to ensure that VEEM products are of the highest quality. VEEM are pre-approved for internal processes by many Classification societies which reduces the manufacturing time and costs for propellers manufactured under classification.

All VEEM custom propeller designs are developed using the latest CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) and FEA (Finite Element Analysis) technologies and are validated using cavitation tunnel testing and full scale vessel testing. VEEM's primary test vessel is a 64ft Sport fisher powered by two off 2400HP engines which is used to validate 30 to 50+ knot propeller design, however VEEM is highly experienced within all market segments, and dedication to continuous product research and development ensures that VEEM is at the cutting edge of propeller design and manufacture. Why compromise performance and smoothness when you have ultimate flexibility in propeller design with VEEM.

Materials
Propellers are offered with a variety of material specifications, including aluminum, manganese bronzes, nickel aluminum bronzes (NiBrAl) and stainless steel. While aluminum and manganese bronzes offer less expensive options for general use, nickel aluminum bronze offers increased strength and reduced drag due to thinner blades. NiBrAl provides excellent resistance to corrosion, erosion and fatigue, while being easily repairable. Veems' Foundry Division is able to alloy all of its own metals using Veem's NATA (National Association of Testing Authorities) certified laboratory to provide chemical analysis to assist in meeting any material specification required.

VEEM Dynamic Balancing

Dynamic Balance Facilities 
Dynamic balancing is integral to VEEM's propeller manufacturing. Propellers are balanced to a very high standard using either ISO 1940/1 G2.5 or G6.3, and all propellers that leave VEEM have a balance certificate on record. Dynamic balancing is particularly important for high speed vessels to ensure that VEEMs' high performance designs are accompanied by excellent smoothness.

Propeller Balancing Notes
Caution must be taken when balancing marine propellers due to the critical nature of blade cross sections and the effect that this has on thrust (dynamic load) during operation. When balancing propellers, the allowable residual unbalance as defined by ISO 1940/1 should be calculated by taking into account shaft bearing spacing's and propeller added mass (due to entrained fluid). As propellers are generally balanced between machine pedestals, but operate as an overhung rotor, the allowable unbalance is commonly miscalculated. Of major concern is that by far exceeding the required balance standard, vibration can be introduced due to the effect of dynamic forces generated by distorted blade profiles. This introduced vibration greatly exceeds any benefit gained by reducing the unbalance in air. This provides a sound reason as to why balance standards for marine propellers should not be exceeded.

Dynamic Balancing Capabilities
The capabilities of the balancing division which is equipped with 4 Schenck and 2 CEMB balancing machines includes:

• Dynamic Balancing - 100grams to 28,000 kg. 3.5 meters in diameter and 12 meters long.
• Static balancing - 100grams to 28,000 kg. 7 meters in diameter and 12 meters long.
• General Balancing of - Propellers, fan and pump impellers, centrifuges, turbines, wheel hubs, machine spindles, brake drums, electric armatures and rotors, gyroscopes, rollers, beaters etc.
• Engine Balancing - dynamic balancing of all engine components for all currently available engines from single cylinders to V16 Alco diesels.
• Drive shaft Balancing - of all marine, industrial, automotive, agricultural, transport and earthmoving power takeoff shaft.

ISO 1940/1 Dynamic Balance Quality Grades
G16 Drive shafts, engine components, engine crankshafts
G6.3 Marine main turbine gears, pump impellers, electric armatures
G2.5 Gas and steam turbines, turbo compressors, computer memory drums
G1 Grinding machine drives, small electric armatures, phonograph drives
G0.4 Gyroscopes, Spindles, precision grinders

Nata Certification
VEEM is certified for dynamic and static balancing by the National Association of Testing Authorities and is controlled under an ISO 9001:2000 quality system.

Balancing Experience
Since its inception in 1968, the division has been a leader in the field of dynamic balancing and is equipped with modern, accurate equipment to meet the demands of its wide variety of clients. We are proficient in balancing to ISO 1940/1 and AS 3709 standards down to a quality grade of G1, where required.

VEEM Research and Development

VEEM has a continuous research and development program for the evolution of propeller designs, shaft-line equipment and new propulsion related products.

VEEM also has a parallel research and development program for manufacturing processes, which ensures the highest quality and accuracy during manufacture is achieved. Consequently, VEEM boast a series of market leading propeller designs, manufactured using the very latest robotic and CNC machinery, supported by a high level of factory automation.

Development Program
VEEM's development program is driven by planned milestones, which ensures that propeller and propulsion system design improvement is progressive. Dedication to advancing designs and creating innovative propulsion systems ensures that VEEM is always one step ahead of the competition.

New design revisions are developed using the latest Computational Fluid Dynamics software (CFD) and tested for strength using Finite Element Analysis (FEA).

CFD is now capable of accurately predicting incremental design improvements, and offers a significant time saving to evolving propulsion designs using multiple models and full scale trials.

Validation of Propeller Designs
Validation of propeller designs is of particular importance to finalize the design process. All proposed new designs are tested in a cavitation tunnel using a scale model, and then trialed on a full scale vessel to check other performance attributes such as maneuverability and acceleration.

Finally, the predicted improvement in efficiency and/or smoothness is verified with back to back trials on the full scale vessel using the current and proposed propeller designs.

VEEM's primary test vessel is a 64ft sport fisher powered by two off 2400HP+ engines. This vessel is specifically used for validating new propeller designs operating in the 30 to 50+ knot bracket. VEEM's commitment to research and development ensures you are purchasing a cutting edge product.