New BRUNNHUBER special crane for the largest research institute in Switzerland

The new circular travelling crane at the SLS of the Paul Scherrer Institute.

The new circular travelling crane at the SLS of the Paul Scherrer Institute.

Production of the crane in Berlin.

Production of the crane in Berlin.

Transport of the crane from Berlin to Villigen (CH).

Transport of the crane from Berlin to Villigen (CH).

Transport of the crane from Berlin to Villigen (CH).

Hoisting the crane through the open roof of the SLS.

Hoisting the crane through the open roof of the SLS.

[Translate to Englisch:] Einheben des Krans durchs offene Dach des SLS.

The large-scale research facility SLS in Villigen, Switzerland, is unique in Switzerland. It is located in a circular hall with a diameter of 288m and consists of a large particle accelerator and an electron storage ring.

In order to generate the special synchrotron light, electrically charged particles (electrons) circle in the SLS facility at almost the speed of light in a ring-shaped system (electron storage ring). In order to keep the electrons on the approximate circular line of the storage ring, special magnets are required that deflect the electrons from their otherwise straight path. At certain points, special magnet arrangements also force the electrons onto a wave-shaped path, with the electrons then emitting light - the so-called sychrotron light.

This emitted light from the electrons is then led to more than 20 experiment stations, where it is available to researchers from all over the world to investigate various research questions.

New BRUNNHUBER crane for upgrade at "Synchrotron Lichtquelle Schweiz" (SLS)

In the course of the upgrade of the SLS research facility, the aim is to be able to obtain even brighter synchrotron light. This high-energy radiation enables new, better and even more in-depth research than before. For the expansion of the research facility in Villigen, BRUNNHUBER CRANES designed, manufactured and installed a special crane that was adapted to the round shape of the SLS hall. The so-called rotary crane runs on a circular crane runway, which is located both in the center of the hall and on the inside of the outer wall. This means that the crane runs and works with a span of 41.6 m over the entire radius of the hall.

Synchronization of the crane system with the help of QR codes for position determination

In order to create synchronism when operating the crane, the respective position of the crane is determined with the help of QR codes, which are attached to the inside and outside of the crane runway, and the speed is then automatically adjusted by the PLC control.

For its use, the crane is equipped with an integrated and traveling aerial work platform, which can be used for uncomplicated repairs on the hall roof and walls.

The single girder overhead traveling crane was manufactured as a rotary crane at the BRUNNHUBER CRANES location in Berlin and was sent on its way to Switzerland by heavy load including police escort.

Assembly with the help of a 500t mobile crane through the open hall roof

The assembly through the roof of the highly sensitive facility was particularly challenging: the best weather conditions had to prevail to open the roof and lift the crane in, as not a single drop was allowed to get on the highly sensitive measuring devices and systems. The trapezoidal opening of the roof through which the 40t heavy crane and almost 42m long crane had to be lifted was also limited. Particular precision and a careful approach were required here in order not to damage the crane and the facility when lifting it into place.

The project video can be found here.


Back