Verlinde Hoists To Move Eiffel Tower's Hydraulics

Baudin Chateauneuf will replace hydraulic systems, press cylinders and accumulator cylinders in the Eiffel Tower's west elevator, after being awarded a contract by SETE. Verlinde Eurobloc VT 12.5-ton capacity hoists will remove the existing machinery and replace it with new equipment.

The press cylinders and accumulator cylinders of the Eiffel Tower's elevators have been in service for one-hundred years, and this is the first time they will be changed. They are to be replaced with systems that are technically as similar as possible to the original equipment.

Baudin Chateauneuf has installed a 17-metre gantry that enters the tower by a window through the metal framework. Radio-controlled Verlinde hoists will handle the hydraulic systems, which are 16-metres long and weigh around 20 metric tons. Eventually, both of the Eiffel Tower's hydraulic elevators will be renovated in this way.

Verlinde Releases Hollow Profile Handling Rails

Verlinde has introduced a hollow profile for its range of handling rails in Eurosystem Alu aluminium. Intended for car manufacturing markets, this fourth profile, AL08, is intended for loads up to 500kg Eurosystem Alu is intended for setting up tailor-made handling systems for loads up to 2000kg. The AL08 profile will be the meeting point between the AL06 and the AL10 (which goes up to 2000kg).

The lightness of the hollow aluminium profiles makes them easy to assemble. They can all be moved and positioned manually without hoisting equipment. The elements are bolted to each other, as are the system and the load-bearing structures, and do not require special tools. This makes the external groves on the profiles compatible with the Item standardised attachment system. The profiles are then manufactured by extrusion which gives them substantial geometric homogeneity.

The profiles can be assembled without mechanical adjustment. The full handling system in hollow aluminium profiles is 50 per cent lighter than a traditional steel structure. In the case of new buildings, renovations or extensions, substantial savings can be achieved on the load-bearing structure, the dimensions of which could be calculated to the minimum according to this equipment.