28.09.2015

New products from Alimak

Alimak Hek launched several new products at a recent customer/dealer day held at its facility in Neuilly-en-Thelle, just north of Paris, France.

New products included the two tower crane operator elevators announced in June - the internally installed CabLift which is only available for Potain tower cranes and the externally installed Alimak TCL - as well as a medium range construction hoist and a new range of mastclimbing work platforms.
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The Cablift - developed with Potain - can be added to Potain K mast tower systems from 1.6 to 2.45 metres wide and pre-installed on new cranes.

As previously reported the internally installed CabLift was developed in partnership with Potain, while the externally-mounted TCL can be used with any make of tower crane.

The CabLift can be added to Potain K Mast tower systems from 1.6 to 2.45 metres wide and pre-installed on new cranes. Features include a platform at the top of the mast to help erect tower sections and ensure that the sections of elevator mast fit properly. All components are contained within the mast, making additional storage, transport and assembly unnecessary. If power fails during an emergency, the cabin is able to descend under gravity however there is also a fixed ladder.
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The Cablift winding mechanism ensuring the mast sections fit perfectly during installation

Normal elevator speed is 24 metres a second, although this can be reduced to 12 metres a second, for mast inspections etc... The cabin can be accessed through both the floor and the roof, and has a maximum capacity of 200kg, although this can be increased to 240kg for erecting work, in order to hold two men and their equipment.
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The externally mounted TCL has been designed for use on a wide range of tower cranes.

The externally mounted TCL has been designed for use on a wide range of tower cranes. It requires no mast modifications and offers greater tie distances for reduced assembly times. The 1,508mm long mast sections are made from galvanised steel and weigh 48kg. They also include centring notches and captive bolts. Capacities and lift speeds are similar to the CabLift, while a reversible cabin allows doors to be located either left or right to suit all cranes and site conditions. Maximum lift height is 90 metres, although 180 metres is possible by mounting the drive motor in the middle rather than at the bottom. The cabin’s internal dimensions are 1.2 metres by 630mm. Deliveries start early next year.

The recent interest in tower crane elevators has been driven by health/safety requirements in Sweden, Holland and Denmark where they are required on cranes over 30 metres. France’s 60 metre requirement will be cut to 30 metres in 2017. An aging pool of operators is also generating interest in other countries.
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Alimak has added the 45/30 medium-range hoist using the 450 mast

The company also unveiled the 45/30 medium-range hoist, using the Scando 450 mast and offering similar performance, but costing 20 percent less. Assembled at Alimak’s facility in Sweden, it is designed for both passenger and materials transport and is available in single or dual car configuration with capacities of up to 2,000kg per car.
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Offering very similar performance to the Scando 450 the 45/30 is said to cost about 20 percent less

Available with either a Direct on Line or Frequency Control motor system and high-efficiency helical gearbox, the hoist has a microprocessor control system with stop-next-landing control for ease of use. The Scando 45/30 offers the same payload, load space and lifting heights as the Scando 450 although speed is 42 rather than 54 metres a minute. The 450 also offers flexible car lengths and lightweight doors while the 45/30 does not.

Alimak Hek has almost finalised a new range of mastclimbers, driven by customer feed-back which said: “the current low rental rates do not justify the investment in the Hek MCM (M450) range, which is too sophisticated and costly to maintain”.
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The Hek MC 450 should be available in December and is said to be 30-35 percent less expensive than the current MCM range

The company hopes its new range will help it “remain market leader by offering the best ratio between technical specification, price and performance”. The first model to be launched will be the Hek MC 450 which the company says will be between 30 to 35 percent cheaper than the MCM range.

The new MC 450 will be available in either single or twin mast configurations and platform lengths of 4.2 to10.2 metres and 8.4 to 30 metres respectively with maximum platform capacities of 2,500kg and 4,500kg (1,500kg and 2,500kg with maximum platform lengths). Platform widths are 1.2 and 2.2 metres for both single and twin masts with speeds of eight and 9.6 metres a minute. The first tie position is at three metres, tie distances are between 8-10 metres and the maximum tied lift height is 200 metres.

The MC 450 should be available in December but further developments over the next few months include centrifugal brake, deck rotators, harness anchor points, an anti-collision device and a web tool for comparing the time and cost implications of a mastclimber compared to scaffolding.