Based on the control area network, the Ship Steering Control Network forms the backbone of the Control System, which is one of the first to implement the U.S. National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) 2000 Data Communications standard.

NAVIGUIDE 4000 Follow-up (FU)/Non-Follow up (NFU)
 

Follow-Up and Non Follow-Up configurations are available for the NAVIGUIDE 4000. The different steering gear control system configurations are described as follows:

Non-Follow-up: (NFU)

NFU Steering control is the cost-effective and safest means of steering control, but not very comfortable. The rudder moves as long as the NFU-Tiller is operated and stops, when the tiller is released or the rudder limits are reached.

Follow-up (FU): (autopilot & manual)

The rudder follows the preset angle (rudder command) of the FU Handwheel and stops when this is reached. FU steering is a control of the rudder angle. It requires a Steering Control Unit (FU-amplifier) and a feedback unit in addition to the Handwheel. FU steering is more comfortable/user-friendly than NFU.

Dual Follow-up

Dual Follow-up provides separated controls to each steering gear by means of two SCUs, each controlled by a separate potentiometer of the FU-Handwheel. A single failure only causes a loss of control of one steering gear. Dual FU is mandatory with certain classification societies or notations.

It is mandatory by IMO/SOLAS to have two electric steering gears that are completely independent, also with regards to the power supply. Usually, there are two separate steering gears, each with its own steering pump, solenoid valves etc.

For more information about the NAVIGUIDE 4000 configurations, please contact us.