Moving an 80-ton tool holding press

If it were easy, anyone could do it: WASA Compound GmbH & Co. KG in Neubrunn/Thuringia expanded its production with a tool holding press for the manufacture of PU molds for concrete block production. And the team from SCHOLPP’s nearby Erfurt site was deployed to move the 80-ton machine. One challenge was to find a technical solution for the initially unsuitable options for slinging the press. SCHOLPP’s design department worked with WASA Compound and the press manufacturer to design a suitable sling for the machine. This variant was mounted directly on the machine by the manufacturer before delivery.

Attachment options needed: customized sling construction

80 tons in weight and measurements of 5.50 x 3.10 x 3.50 meters are hefty starting sizes for transport and installation. With SCHOLPP equipment this would not have been a problem had it not been for issues with the appropriate attachment points before the move-in. These were not suitable for transporting the machine in the conditions on site or for the technical equipment required for the load. However, the SCHOLPP design engineers and the press manufacturer worked together to identify the right approach to this issue. The biggest challenge was to design a sling that was not only safe, but would also be approved for heavy goods transport in order to move the machine by road. At the same time, the installation work had to be completed as quickly as possible so as not to exceed the tight time frame.

Five-step move-in: positioning and installation in five days

Once the technical solution for moving the press to WASA was in place, the SCHOLPP fitters quickly began preparations. All the technical equipment was delivered in just one day; the core of the installation technology – the TG 320 hydraulic four-post lifting gantry – was erected over the following two days. Just one day later, the mobile crane (250 tons) that would be unloading the press was set up next to the hall. Once the heavy load arrived at WASA, unloading and moving began immediately.

The SCHOLPP fitters used a 100-ton machine dolly and 12-ton forklift to move the press into the workshop, transferring the load to the TG 320 gantry directly at the installation site. Now the operator of the lifting gantry had to have a very delicate touch, because the sensitive 80-ton colossus had to be positioned very carefully. Thanks to their extensive experience, the SCHOLPP team successfully positioned the machine on the very first set-down attempt.

On the fifth and last day of the project, the construction site was finally cleared, including the dismantling and removal of the lifting gantry. So the project was represented a precision landing, in terms of both space and time.