Massive mechanical animals
3rd Quarter 2013
Hydraulic systems & components
When it walks out of the large warehouse, the majestic 12 metre high mechanical pachyderm carries 50 passengers on board. It is like architecture in motion. The massive 48 ton elephant walks at speeds up to 3 km/hr, roars, moves its legs, ears, tail and eyes, sprays water and blows air from its realistic trunk. On the back of the Great Elephant, it’s like being on the fourth floor of a moving house, with a breathtaking view over the site of the former shipyards. Inside it is a hive of activity – propelled by a 450 horse power motor, 60 cylinders, 2000 litres of oil and a complex system of jacks, pulleys and gears.
Les Machines de l’Ile is an unprecedented artistic project. Born out of the imagination of two artists, it is a blend of the imaginary world of Jules Verne and the mechanical universe of Leonardo da Vinci. Previously a shipping yard, Les Machines de L’lle was conceived to attract tourism into a dilapidated area of the Nantes dockyard, the birthplace of Jules Verne.
The Great Elephant is driven by electrohydraulics. It pumps up to 600 lpm of hydraulic fluid from two 130 cc variable-displacement axial piston pumps. The pumps drive a pair of 60 cc variable-displacement bent-axis piston motors located in a drive module. In addition 44 hydraulic cylinders and six pneumatic cylinders create the lifelike motion of the star attraction. Most of the action is controlled by 51 proportional hydraulic valves with integrated electronics and fault monitoring control.
The company which produced the elephant also builds many other mechanical animals, but the sheer size and motion of this beast makes it the star attraction.
Further reading:
Axial piston pump series for next-gen hydraulic applications
Hydraulic systems & components
Moog has launched its new AXP Axial Piston Pump Series, a next-generation hydraulic solution engineered to deliver optimal performance, reliability and cost efficiency for industrial applications.
Read more...
Tuning into what your system is telling you
Hydrasales
Hydraulic systems & components
Hydraulic presses can run like clockwork, but often it’s the things you don’t see, or hear, that carry the most telling signs of irregular system health.
Read more...
A guide to common hydraulic system contaminants
CT Hydraulics (Nqoba)
Editor's Choice Hydraulic systems & components
Every engineer, machine designer and maintenance professional understands that the heart of any reliable hydraulic system is its fluid. But the moment that fluid is compromised, your system’s life expectancy and your peace of mind drop dramatically.
Read more...
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...
printer friendly version