Machine floated to the upper floor: Move-in with crane platform and transportation with heavy-duty dolly

Soft landing at a height of six meters: ZEISS is one of the world’s leading technology companies in the optical and optoelectronic industry. For example, the company manufactures optical and mechanical components and systems for medical, measurement, and semiconductor technology at its Jena site. A machine tool and a robot system had to be installed on the upper floor of the production hall. The SCHOLPP team from the Erfurt site completed the job for the long-standing customer ZEISS within one day.

SCHOLPP has enjoyed a good working relationship with ZEISS in Jena for many years. Over the years, the Erfurt installation team has handled various machine move-ins and internal relocations in the optics and mechanics production departments. This was usually in the context of renovations or production modifications.

Move-in of machine tool and robot system

This time, a DMG Mori CTX 800 machine tool and an associated robot system needed to be installed. The compact machining center for complex turning and milling operations had a total weight of 13.5 metric tons. Due to the dimensions of around 4 x 2 x 2 meters, bringing it in directly on the upper floor was the only option.

The bottom of the building opening was six meters up. All equipment for unloading, lifting, and transporting the machines and components was brought along by the experienced installation team from the SCHOLPP site in Erfurt: a tool container, suitable lifting and auxiliary equipment, a crane platform (16 metric tons) and a forklift, several hoists, and the Robot 40 heavy-duty dolly (40 metric tons).

Special occupational safety regulations for installation at heights

An 80-ton truck-mounted crane was set up directly in front of the production building to unload and lift the machine. The parts were loaded from the truck onto the crane platform, which was then positioned in front of the building opening exactly at floor level and without a crossover gap. Occupational safety regulations are especially important for this type of move-in solution at heights. These were precisely defined in advance by the project manager and installation manager based on the expected risk.

Precision heavy-duty dolly: One-day installation completed on time

The machine was placed directly onto the Robot 40 heavy-duty dolly, which was already on the crane platform. This meant that it could be moved seamlessly from the platform into the building and immediately transported to its final location. With the self-propelled and flexible Robot 40 system, the winding lateral transport inside the production hall was no problem. The SCHOLPP fitters efficiently managed the positioning between the existing machines as well, with precise maneuvering and millimeter accuracy. The one-day installation job was completed on time.