HYDRAULIC lifting technology introduced into Australia by Enerpac is currently being successfully applied to ship building programs for the Royal Navy.
Six Daring-class Type 45 anti-air warfare destroyers are being constructed and outfitted in Glasgow. The 152.4m vessels are constructed in five blocks, each weighing up to 1400t. These blocks are moved around the shipyard to be built and joined together.
The lifts are used at varies times of the process to manipulate the blocks into place and suspend them while construction slide tracks are put into place. The lifts are also used to weigh the blocks to check design specifications.
The hull is protected from structural damage by automating the controls of the hydraulics. Because the lifting is synchronised and the load balanced, the development and internal stresses is avoided.
Similar techniques are being employed in Australia with the splitting of a 3500t mining dragline in Curragh, Queensland and lifting bridges for maintenance.
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