Development and manufacture of oceanographic measuring instruments and monitoring systems for coastal protection and hydraulic engineering
ARGUS Gesellschaft für Umweltmesstechnik mbH
Ritterhude near BremenNew on Amplifa
About ARGUS
ARGUS Gesellschaft für Umweltmesstechnik mbH develops and manufactures oceanographic instruments and systems for monitoring projects, in particular for the detection of ship-induced waves and currents in coastal areas and estuaries. Key products include the ASM (Argus Suspension Monitor), a multi-stage turbidity profiler, the AWG (Argus Wave Gauge) wave measuring system with a compensated stainless-steel measuring wire, the DAC data monitoring container, and the DPS wireless rotary-joint communication network. In addition to in-house manufacturing, the company offers custom instrumentation, contract development (R&D), real-time data acquisition systems based on Campbell data loggers, as well as planning, installation and maintenance of complete monitoring stations. The in-house laboratory features pressure vessels, vacuum chambers, a circulation tank and facilities for sediment specification. Customers include BAW, WSV, Hamburg Port Authority, universities and international research institutes. The company is based in Ritterhude near Bremen.
- Site
- Ritterhude
- Processes
- Development and manufacture of oceanographic instruments and monitoring systems, Sensor and controller development / contract development (Custom Development, Contract development,, Software development for data acquisition and control (Labview, C++, MFC, PIC Microchip, Atmega), Assembly of monitoring stations (planning, sensor technology, hardware construction, programming,, Turning (threads/bolts on lathe) in the mechanical workshop area, prototype construction, Milling of prototypes, Welding of structures, Electronics manufacturing (soldering work, assembly, component warehouse for standard and military
- Materials
- Stainless steel alloy (compensated measuring wire, 3 mm), Stainless steel alloy, Compensated measuring wire, Sediment
- Certificates
- In-house laboratory (pressure, vacuum, circulation tank), ISO 9001
- Founded
- 1990
- Industries
- Oceanography, Coastal protection, Hydrography, Hydraulic engineering, Science/Research, Port and waterways administration
- 01
Engineering and sensor development
- 02
Mechanical manufacturing (turning, milling, welding) in the in-house workshop
- 03
Electronics manufacturing (assembly, soldering)
- 04
Software development (Labview, C++, MFC, PIC, Atmega)
- 05
Laboratory testing (pressure, vacuum, circulation tank)
- 06
Assembly and installation of the monitoring stations
- 07
Maintenance over the project duration
Materials & Processes
Stainless steel alloy
Compensated 3-mm measuring wire of the AWG wave measuring system, capable of withstanding wave heights up to 4 m.
Compensated measuring wire
Wave sensor of the AWG for high-frequency wave measurement at shorelines and dikes.
Sediment
Sample material for grain specification using sieve machines and precision balances.
Locations
Ritterhude
DEHead office with office, laboratory, electronics laboratory and mechanical workshop
- Lot size
- Single items and small series
- Materials
- Stainless steel, electronic components
- Lathe
- Milling machine for prototypes
- Welding system
- Pressure vessels and pressure sources
- Circulation tank
- Vacuum chamber
- Sieve machine
- Precision balance
- Oscilloscope
- Soldering station
- Precision power supply
- Campbell data logger
Instruments & Components
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Development and manufacture of oceanographic instruments and monitoring systemsEngineering | – | – | – | – | Stainless steel alloy (measuring wire) |
| Sensor and controller development / contract development (Custom Development, Contract development,Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Software development for data acquisition and control (Labview, C++, MFC, PIC Microchip, Atmega)Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Assembly of monitoring stations (planning, sensor technology, hardware construction, programming,Assembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Turning (threads/bolts on lathe) in the mechanical workshop area, prototype constructionMachining | – | – | – | – | – |
| Milling of prototypesMachining | – | – | – | – | – |
| Welding of structuresJoining | – | – | – | – | – |
| Electronics manufacturing (soldering work, assembly, component warehouse for standard and militaryAssembly | – | – | – | – | Electronic components |
| Testing and laboratory analysis (pressure vessels, pressure sources, circulation tank, vacuumTesting | – | – | – | – | Sediment |
| Manufacture of measuring buoys (Spar Buoy Wave Detector) and data monitoring containersAssembly | – | – | – | – | Stainless steel alloy |
12 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lathe | – | – | – | – | Ritterhude |
| Milling machine (for prototypes) | – | – | – | – | Ritterhude |
| Welding system | – | – | – | – | Ritterhude |
| Sieve machine | – | – | – | – | Argus laboratory |
| Precision balance | – | – | – | – | Argus laboratory |
| Vacuum chamber | – | – | – | – | Argus laboratory |
| Pressure vessels and pressure sources | – | – | – | – | Argus laboratory |
| Circulation tank | – | – | – | – | Argus laboratory |
| Oscilloscope | – | – | – | – | Argus electronics laboratory |
| Soldering station | – | – | – | – | Argus electronics laboratory |
| Precision power supply | – | – | – | – | Argus electronics laboratory |
| Campbell data logger | Campbell | – | – | – | Ritterhude |
Additional services
Reference customers
Quality
Instruments and systems are tested in the company's own laboratory – including in pressure vessels, pressure sources, vacuum chambers and a circulation tank; electronics manufacturing is carried out with oscilloscopes, precision power supplies and tested components from standard and military electronics.
| Evidence | Ritterhude |
|---|---|
| In-house laboratory (pressure, vacuum, circulation tank) | |
| ISO 9001 |
Company History
- 1990
Founded in Oldenburg as an engineering office for coastal monitoring and consulting; main clients were public authorities.
- 1995
J. R. Gutkuhn acquires 30 % of the shares and becomes technical managing director.
- 1995–2016
Development of several oceanographic instruments and systems (including ASM, AWG, DAC, DPS); regular participation in Oceanology International in London.
- 2001
Relocation to Ritterhude near Bremen; J. R. Gutkuhn becomes sole managing director and 100 % owner.