SECTION SPONSOR NEW ERA BLOWS IN
Heavy lifting specialist, Sheffield- based Mechan, is spearheading development of jib cranes, designed specifically for use on offshore wind turbines.
UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD – 2 YEAR PROJECT
The manufacturer is a world leader in the creation of standard and bespoke handling equipment and with help from the University of Sheffield, it has devised a platform crane that can transfer goods to and from supply vessels in high seas.
The University’s Mechanical Engineer, Tom Iverson, has been working with Mechan on the two year project, which comes to an end in September. He has helped devise a crane with a three metre outreach that can be attached to the base of a wind turbine to load/off load materials and maintenance equipment from boats.
Tom Iverson working on the crane’s design
INDUSTRY SPECIFIC Richard Carr, Mechan’s Managing Director, said: “Although we have produced jib cranes for many hazardous applications and environments, finding a design that would work with vessels moving unpredictably presented additional technical issues. We knew the University of Sheffield would have the research skills to overcome these
challenges and we are very pleased to finish the design within the development window.”
KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER PARTNERSHIP Tom’s project at Mechan has been facilitated by the Knowledge Transfer Partnership, which offers businesses access to collaborative funding and academic expertise, to design new products, improve processes, introduce new systems and discover new markets.
RAPID INDUSTRY GROWTH Richard added: “Rapid growth in offshore wind farms has brought the logistical needs of these developments to the attention of suppliers such as Mechan. We are now looking forward to producing a prototype that will enable us to showcase our new crane and demonstrate how it will improve the efficiency and safety of construction at sea.”
LOGISTICS
COMPANY SPEARHEADING DEVELOPMENT OF JIB CRANES SPECIFICALLY FOR THE INDUSTRY
SPECIFICATIONS
The crane is suitable for operation in Sea State Three, in accordance with the Lloyds Register Code for Lifting Appliances in a Marine Environment. The jib has a 1300kg safe working load, 20m/min hoisting speed, 270-degree manual geared slew and will be given a marine specification paint finish.
IMPRESSIVE CLIENT LIST Mechan is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of cranes and hoists, supplying clients from across the power generation industry, including Areva Transmissions, Siemens and Rolls Royce.
Mechan
www.windenergynetwork.co.uk
35
HULL & HUMBER SPOTLIGHT ON
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100