Raising the waterfront to new heights
Second quarter 2006
Hydraulic systems & components
The new Gulmarn lifting bridge at the V&A Waterfront forms part of the Marina residential development currently under construction. The bascule type bridge stretches across the 20 m upper basin canal, connecting the south and north sides of the Marina. The bridge will provide pedestrians and club-car access across the canal and with the touch of a button; it can be lifted out of the way to allow yachts and other small leisure craft through.
Hyflo Southern Africa, the largest hydraulic company in the Western Cape, with its many years of experience in hydraulic system design, was an obvious choice for undertaking the design, manufacture and supply of the hydraulic system moving the structural steel bridge.
The bridge is pivoted on the northern side of the canal. One large, trunnion mounted, hydraulic cylinder below the fixed ramp is connected to the counterweight on the bridge. The bridge lifts through 90° in 60 seconds. At the bridge tip, another hydraulic cylinder locks the bridge in the down position.
With the required 50 years life expectancy of the system, Hyflo, which has recently entered into a distribution agreement with German cylinder manufacturer Hunger Hydraulik, used a special cylinder rod coating for the application. The Hunger P.T.A. coating, a first in South Africa, was specifically developed for piston rods operating in the extremely corrosive salt laden environments in the offshore field. The P.T.A. layer provides full corrosion resistance to salt water, prevents salt water ingression through to the base material. Furthermore, local mechanical damage can be repaired in situ. The P.T.A. layer has a hardness of 43 HRC with a honed and polished surface finish of Ra<0,1 micron, providing good wear resistance and low friction properties for stick-slip free operation. A new EVD sealing system is also incorporated into the cylinder. For the first time it is possible to compensate for seal wear without the need for replacing the seal.
The sequence of operations to open and close the bridge is automated using a PLC-based control system. The sequence will be triggered with a wireless remote control unit. In addition to the remote control it is also possible to operate the system manually.
In order to move the bridge smoothly with wind loads up to 19,6 kN, Hyflo used the latest proportional hydraulic technology in combination with integrated manifold block circuit design. The manifold block is mounted directly on the cylinders in order to improve the overall rigidity of the system and bridge.
Further reading:
Making lines safer with smarter connection
Hydrasales
Hydraulic systems & components
Imagine connecting multiple hydraulic lines or a combination of hydraulic, electrical and grease lines with one single, confident movement. That’s the everyday convenience operators get from Faster’s MultiFaster multi-coupling systems.
Read more...
Hydraulic system upgrades to boost performance and save money
CT Hydraulics (Nqoba)
Hydraulic systems & components
Those working with hydraulic or pneumatic systems know that keeping your machinery running at peak performance balances productivity and cost. As systems age, they often become less efficient, requiring more energy and more frequent repairs. The good news is that you don’t always need to invest in an entirely new machine to solve these problems.
Read more...
Navigating ISO standards in hydraulic cylinder manufacturing
Hydraulic systems & components
For hydraulics professionals, understanding and leveraging ISO standards is a powerful way to ensure quality and gain a competitive edge. Here is a guide to the most critical ISO standards for hydraulic cylinder manufacturing, showing how to use them to your advantage.
Read more...
Heavy impact, smart control
Axiom Hydraulics
Editor's Choice Hydraulic systems & components
Every now and then a project lands on your desk that’s equal parts heavy machinery and fine control - a tantalising mix for any engineer. A client approached Axiom Hydraulics with a project exactly like this.
Read more...
Axiom expands its hydraulic solutions with Powerstart piston accumulators
Hydraulic systems & components
Axiom is proud to announce a unique partnership with Powerworks, introducing a new generation of piston accumulators into the South African market, the Powerstart piston accumulators.
Read more...
Hydraulic systems in heavy machinery
Hydraulic systems & components
In this article, we explore how hydraulic systems function, their role in powering heavy equipment, and why they are the preferred choice for industries requiring immense power and precision.
Read more...
How manufacturers achieve zero-leakage demands in hydraulic cylinders
Hydraulic systems & components
Imagine a world where your hydraulic cylinders never leaked. The answer lies in a holistic approach that focuses on the fundamental components and their interactions, particularly the cylinder rod and its surrounding environment.
Read more...
The seven different types of hydraulic fittings used for cylinders
Hydraulic systems & components
Hydraulic fittings are crucial for maintaining the integrity of hydraulic circuits, Selecting the right type of hydraulic fitting is not only essential for preventing leaks but also for ensuring minimal downtime and enhancing overall system efficiency.
Read more...
The seven different types of hydraulic fittings used for cylinders
Hydraulic systems & components
Hydraulic fittings are crucial for maintaining the integrity of hydraulic circuits, Selecting the right type of hydraulic fitting is not only essential for preventing leaks but also for ensuring minimal downtime and enhancing overall system efficiency.
Read more...
Powering southern Africa’s industrial evolution for over five decades
Editor's Choice Hydraulic systems & components
Established in 1974, Oilpower is a recognised name in South Africa’s hydraulic and pneumatic sector. What started as a small, family-run business has matured into a highly structured operation with specialised teams, experienced engineers and a reputation for technical excellence and reliability. Oilpower is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
Read more...
printer friendly version