2009
vahle
konkret
VAHLE powers world´s largest ferris wheel
p o w e r i n m ot i o n
Phase protection provides more safety
New technology replaces streetcar
overhead wire
Energy savings program at VAHLE
contents
www.vahle.de
Reliable electrical
accident prevention
VAHLE konkret
We were able to set a new mile stone for the port and
transloading industry, a gigantic growth market: VAHLE
developed an innovative current supply and control system for RTG’s (rubber tired gantry cranes). This system
does neither emit exhaust gases nor noise which currently trouble port facilities. As a bonus the quiet, electrically
powered cranes also safe fuel cost.
Dear Readers,
VAHLE has set a record during the past business year.
The enormous demand for VAHLE products generated
a worldwide turnover of over 100 mio. Euro. Especially
gratifying were many international orders placed by
steel mills and the clean room technology industry. We
expanded our product range to include newly expanding
industries, such as the aluminum industry.
Not only was the past year very successful economically,
also important decisions were made with regards to the
future direction of VAHLE. We started the development of
contactless current supply for streetcars which does eliminate the need for cumbersome overhead wire. Together
with an internationally leading partner VAHLE has now a
system available which will be very attractive especially
for historical inner city areas; please read our report at
page 6. We focused on innovation and have introduced
successfully to the market the VAHLE positioning system
APOS. APOS represents another building block which
perfectly integrates with our conductor systems. Our Powercom® Data transmission has been upgraded with a new
HD version.
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After the recent boom years 2009 is providing us with
the opportunity to catch our breath, concentrate on product innovations, develop new markets and continue to be
responsive to our worldwide customers. We can look optimistically to the future especially since we were able to
add recognized technology strategy experts to our project
team. They will add significant value and input when specific custom solutions need to be formulated.
As an important future project we plan to develop a new
application for our inductive current and data transmission system CPS®. We will offer a system to charge the
batteries of electric cars conveniently and safely, regardless whether this will occur at super market parking lots,
in the garage at home or even when the car is in motion.
Plug and connecting cable may be discarded, they are
not needed when the car battery is charged inductively
"through the air".
We very much hope that you will enjoy reading the latest
issue of "VAHLE konkret".
Cordially yours,
Michael Pavlidis
Dirk Korn
VAHLE engineers have developed a protective system for U 10 and VKS multi-conductor installations: a fail-safe
PE placement. This will prevent electrical accidents caused by incorrect PE collector placement.
"We place very high importance on the safety aspect
of our equipment and will in the future put even more effort into the enhancement of product safety" proclaimed
Michael Pavlidis, VAHLE’s technical director. "Our products are very safe when handled correctly and professionally, however incorrect operation or human error can
occasionally cause an accident. We would like to help to
avoid such self-induced accidents in the future by modifying components in such a way that it becomes impossible to make a mistake." In the past a few accidents occurred with Automated Electrical Monorail installations
when the PE double collector did not correctly enter the
PE conductor and the carrier received voltage. VAHLE engineers now eliminated this problem for our proven conductor systems U 10 and VKS by developing a solution
for the "remaining risk factor human error": the fail-safe
PE placement. The PE collector received a newly dimensioned PE contact brush which is larger, 1.5mm for U 10
and 2 mm for VKS, than the slot opening of the phase conductors. Additionally, the PE conductor contact surface
CREDITS
Publisher: Paul Vahle GmbH & Co. KG,
Westicker Str. 52, D-59174 Kamen
Responsible for content: Dipl.-Ök. Frank Niewerth
Writer: Sabine Hense-Ferch
Photos: Dagmar Frigge, Bombardier Inc., Lufthansa Technik
AG, IAV GmbH, Chris Suderman
Design: Mues + Schrewe GmbH, Warstein, Germany
www.mues-schrewe.de
Printing: Dassel-Druck GmbH, Arnsberg
Before
After
is placed higher at the insulation shroud so that contact
between PE collector and phase conductor is impossible
and accidental contact is a thing of the past.
The beautiful aspect of the new VAHLE development: it
is absolutely compatible with existing systems. System’s
dimensions and phase distance are the same. Existing
installations can be upgraded with this safety feature.
For U 10 installations only the PE conductor and the PE
collectors must be exchanged. All existing components
and accessories will be available in the future. "Because
of the critical safety factor the fail-safe PE collector placement was extremely important to us. Our next project will
concern the elimination of contact sparking", contemplates Michael Pavlidis.
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www.vahle.de
High-tech electronics
support airplane
maintenance
VAHLE Powercom HD
The VAHLE Powercom HD data transmission system was
developed for conveying systems requiring automated
material flow. Powercom HD allows economical, uninterrupted data transfer between a central control station
and automation components installed on carrier vehicles.
Powercom HD assures reliable data transmission in halfduplex mode with the standard installed Profibus modem.
Transmission speed is 187.5 kbps.
Powercom HD opens new possibilities for the maintenance of airplanes
The maintenance building of Lufthansa Technology in Hamburg which can accommodate several types of airplanes
has become the most recent VAHLE high-tech demo project. Here, the new Powercom HD data transmission system
sends commands such as "stop ", "proceed ", "keep distance ", "slow down", or "speed up" directly via a VAHLE
conductor system and does it without time delay or interruption. Splendid from the perspective of system’s integrators.
The Powercom HD data transmission system which
uses VAHLE conductor systems enables data exchange
between a mobile user such an automated electric
monorail, crane or any other track guided carrier vehicle
and a central control station. "With this system we have
achieved a spectacular advancement" joyfully states
technical director Michael Pavlidis. The new development with integrated Profibus can transmit transparent
data via a conductor system with a notable speed of
187.5 kbps. A special modulation procedure makes this
possible. "In contrast to conventional RF systems there
is no time delay during the transmission. This is of high
importance for time critical events such as emergency
stop and enhances therefore the safety of the system"
explained development engineer Stefan Rabe. Powercom HD is designed that a continuous uninterrupted
transmission is possible even when the vehicle moves
through track switches, track lifts or other complex
track routing. Another advantage, aside from reliable
data transmission, is the fact that Powercom HD can be
easily installed and incorporated. Obviously, Powercom
HD is not only for airplane maintenance projects such
as the Lufthansa installation, it can play a significant
role with automated electrical monorail installations
at automobile assembly plants, material handling and
automated storage and retrieval installations, hangar
door movement, sewage treatment plants and transfer
shuttles.
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Extensive possibilities for system’s integrators
The utilization of the new Powercom HD for airplane
maintenance is remarkable because of the fact that it
is such a large installation: with a total maintenance
track length of approx. 250 m (820 ft.) this installation
is unique worldwide. For this installation Powercom HD
was integrated into the FABA 100 conductor system. Altogether 13 carrier vehicles loaded with turbines requiring
maintenance can now move at the same time along the
maintenance track whereby the turbines will be almost
completely disassembled and repaired. A staging spur
queues the carrier vehicles for deployment. All carrier
vehicles can communicate which each other. A VAHLE
APOS positioning system verifies distance between each
carrier vehicle. Seven data segments comprise the entire
maintenance track system. Meanwhile the Lufthansa installation is the third installation of this type. The other
two installations move huge hangar doors. According to
Michael Pavlidis: "We are convinced that this product
has immense possibilities for systems integrators and
we are ready to tackle future projects of this kind."
Tracking potential savings
Participation in the successful project ECOPROFIT benefits
pocketbook and environment
More and more companies change their mind: business success and environmental responsibility need not be
incompatible. To the contrary: with careful consideration one even can make money. The ECOPROFIT program of
the Northrhine-Westfalia regional administration helps companies to reduce the use of resources to preserve
the environment which in turn reduces operating cost. 530 companies are already in this program. VAHLE also
has decided to participate.
VAHLE and several other companies located in the
Dortmund region are actively engaged with a project
group to research and track savings potential and to
exchange ideas. The range of possibilities is huge: from
creating awareness of environmentally friendly behavior with regards to energy savings and the reduction of
refuse, handling of hazardous material, conscientious
maintenance of machinery and equipment and to work
place safety.
Ideas help to reach the target
"For instance, the companies are giving consideration
to the idea of removing equipment which "devours" electricity, removal of time delay switches for copiers, maintenance of heating installations and compressed air systems" reports project manager Dirk Falkenhahn. "We have
decided to participate in this project as we fully agree with
the concept of an enduring positive effect the acquisition
of ECOPROFIT certification will confer upon VAHLE" explains Falkenhan. "Certification provides us with a number of advantages: We will obtain a more precise overview
of our operating expenses, usage and emissions. This will
allow us to reduce our expenses and at the same time protect the environment. We can profit from the experience of
other companies and motivate our employees for this very
important endeavor – all in all a splendid idea."
Energy savings must be approached from many
directions
The Dortmund ECOPROFIT group conducted workshops to provide information in order to systematically
ferret out pertinent areas. Ideas had been exchanged
and a list for action was compiled. Now implementation
is under way: Including installation of modern inductive
lighting systems. A new refuse collection system was organized as it was discovered that most of the collected
office trash should actually go into the "yellow recycling
bag". Energy intensive heating installations will we replaced shortly. A cost analysis was prepared for vehicles
such as fork lifts. Motion detectors to control lights were
installed, wooden pallets will be recycled in the future,
CO2 free printer paper was purchased and importance
was placed on the economical operation of vehicles. All
light bulbs will be replaced with energy saving fixtures.
"We have calculated a total savings potential of 34,000
Euro per year" states project manager Dirk Falkenhahn.
After the ECOPROFIT recognition VAHLE can continue
with environmental management to receive certification
as per ISO 14001 or validation as per EMAS decree.
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www.vahle.de
Streetcars without (overhead) wire
"Fill-up" with electricity –
without cable and plug
VAHLE moves streetcars with CPS®
VAHLE development establishes new standard for electro mobility
VAHLE introduces an exciting innovation: inductive electrical current transmission for streetcars. The highly
developed, proven technology moves streetcars as with invisible hands. There is no need for miles of unsightly
overhead wires which usually obstruct the view of beautiful old facades in historical city centers: a conductor cable
buried in the ground between the tracks inductively powers the streetcar of the future. The technology is already
in operation at a Bombardier test facility in Bautzen, Germany.
The automobile industry faces great challenges: cars must be environmentally friendly, comfortable and economical. The topic electro mobility therefore becomes a major focal point. This was also the case at the International
Automobile Exhibition (IAA) 2009 in Frankfurt, Germany where VAHLE could demonstrate its technology leadership
with prototypes leading into a new era. With the inductive current transmission CPS® VAHLE offers a revolutionary
solution: "We have mastered this technology, have utilized it several hundred times with material handling installations and we are the world leader in this technology segment" states technical director Michael Pavlidis.
Streetcars had become somewhat unfashionable a
few years ago. However, energy problems and emission considerations for city centers have made electrically powered transportation more desirable then ever.
A fly in the ointment: the over head wires needed are
obstructing the view of beautiful old facades. VAHLE,
together with its customer Bombardier Transportation
has developed a solution which resolves this problem once and for all: a conductor cable, buried in the
ground between the tracks, supplies the streetcars
with electrical current. VAHLE engineers developed
contactless current transmission CPS® which as of now
had been utilized in clean room installations, material
distribution, sorting technology and floor carrier systems for automobile assembly plants. Together with
Bombardier CPS® was modified and adapted to power
the drive motors and all auxiliary equipment required
to operate the streetcars.
Electrical current from the ground
The principle of electric induction is used to power
the streetcars. Protected conductor cables are installed
in the ground between the tracks. Track segments are
switched "active" as soon as a streetcar enters and a
magnetic field is generated. "Pick ups" installed below
the streetcar’s floor inductively supply the streetcar
with electrical current. This technology is absolutely
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safe for passengers and pedestrians: the magnetic field
is induced only at areas which are entirely covered by
the streetcar, also the passenger compartment is completely shielded.
Successful cooperation
Presently, material handling systems with contactless
current transmission are operating successfully worldwide. "Several hundred installations around the globe
already utilize CPS® technology" explains development
manager Ulrich Reker. "In less than nine months our engineers, together with Bombardier Transportation engineers, accomplished the feat to develop this new application for streetcars although the requirements went
substantially beyond of what was available at the time.
The first installation of this kind operates successfully at a Bombardier test facility in Bautzen, Germany."
Aside from the architectural aspect this VAHLE innovation has another significant operational advantage: Current transmission cannot be impeded by environmental
conditions, such as ice, snow or sand storms.
If one wants to drive a electric car today one must
use a charging cable and find an outlet to "fill-up". This
process will take several hours, moreover, even a fully
charged battery has a limited range. Contrast this with
VAHLE’s revolutionary solution: a contactless charging
system based on the CPS® product line. Charging stations for electric vehicles may be installed in parking
lots and in garages installed invisible and protected
below the concrete surface. The vehicle’s batteries can
be charged without having a direct connection when it
is parked above the charging conductor cable or even
when it drives over it, so there is no wasted time charging batteries. The vehicle need not be positioned precisely above the charging cable a postioning tolerance
has been engineered into the system.
The current transfer uses the induction principle similar to a transformer. The primary is the conductor cable
embedded at the charging station in the floor. The secondary is a pick up installed on the vehicle. The current
in the primary cable generates a magnetic field which
induces current in the pick up; this current is used to
charge the batteries.
Contactless energy transfer systems offer a multitude
of decisive advantages, e.g. very simplified battery charging; potentially hazardous connecting cable and plugs
are completely omitted and obviously need
not to be carried in the
vehicle; above ground
charging stations are not
needed thus the system
is accident and vandal
proof. Technical director Pavlidis reiterated
the VAHLE breakthrough
innovation which incidentally was successfully tested with streetcars: "Since
there is now plug-in connection to charge the batteries,
there can be no wear or willful damage. We are in a position to engineer the system for absolutely reliable every
day use."
That VAHLE is in the forefront of the new technology
is evidenced by the fact VAHLE is a member of a standard specifications commission originated by the Government of the German Federal Republic. The members,
which included also leading automobile manufacturers,
agreed preceeding the IAA on a so called low field standard to eliminate hazards, such as possibly developing
heat which could occur during charging. VAHLE was the
only IAA exhibitor who could show fully functioning prototypes which already confirm to this new standard.
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www.vahle.de
Unforgettable 34 minutes
VAHLE technology decisive for the world’s largest Ferris wheel
It is the new landmark of Singapore: the Singapore Flyer, the world’s largest ferris wheel! Installed above a fourstory high shopping center with view of the famous Marina bay of this city-state it reaches 165 m into the sky and
whoever dares to ride in one of the 28 air conditioned steel and glass gondolas is rewarded with an unforgettable
view. The panorama stretches from the skyscrapers of the city to Malaysia and the island world of Indonesia. One
of the participants: VAHLE GmbH & Co. KG, located in Kamen, Germany.
Mitsubishi Industries constructed the Ferris wheel, it
opened for the public in March 2009. To make certain
that the gondolas are supplied with current was the task
VAHLE engineers. VAHLE GmbH & Co. KG is located in
Kamen, Germany and is a worldwide leading manufacturer of electrification and data transmission systems
for mobile users.
VAHLE products were used to ascertain that the Ferris wheel passengers can enjoy the unforgettable panorama in safety and comfort during the half hour ride.
One task for the VAHLE electrification system was to reliably supply the 4 m by 7 m sized gondolas with current
for air conditioning, lighting and video screen. "Here it
was very important the sliprings and current collectors
were as compact as possible so that they could be hidden in the bottom of the gondola. Obviously, the VAHLE
components could not obstruct the view for the passengers", explained Michael Pavlidis, technical director of
VAHLE GmbH & Co. KG.
In order to assure adequate current supply for all 28
gondolas the entire circumference of the Ferris wheel
features a 13 conductor installation consisting of U 35
and U 25 Unipole and a F 35 copperhead conductor. The
uninsulated F 35 copperhead conductor has an interesting dual function: it is used as a grounding conductor
and additionally as a lightning deflector! "For appearance reasons all components, even the isolators, had to
be white as the Flyer is illuminated during the night with
colorful flood lights", reports export manager Karsten
Schmidt. "We also had to guarantee that all exposed
components are UV resistant. A special UV safe material had to be used to withstand Singapore’s aggressive
solar rays. Mitsubishi rightfully issued very stringent
requirements for materials and technology for this project. The reliability, maintainability and excellent reputation of our products most likely was the reason that Mitsubishi placed the order with VAHLE", proudly relates
Karsten Schmidt.
When the wheel ascends the ascending gondolas rotate so that wheel spokes or other structural components
will not obstruct the maginificent view. The gondolas are
encircled with two slipring sets which supply the motors
with current to rotate the gondolas. The slipring sets are
comprised of a six conductor unit and a five conductor
unit using insulated U 15 Unipole conductors.
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www.vahle.de
"Parking" made easy
Huge coil storage facility benefits from APOS positioning system
A magnetic crane lifts one coil after another off the truck bed. Then the very heavy coils are transported along
the storage area to a pre-determined specific floor space. VAHLE technology is responsible to make certain the flat
steel coils with approx. 2m diameter land precisely at their parking space. The APOS positioning system together
with a VAHLE conductor system has been installed for the very first time on a crane runway with a length of over
200m. Location: centralized coil storage facility and semifinished products of the sheet metal fabricator Becker
Stahl Service GmbH., Boenen, Germany.
Typical application for VAHLE APOS positioning systems can be found with crane installations, storage facilities and automated electrical monorails. APOS is ideally
suited for automated component transport as utilized for
material flow requirements. The system assures that the
component, in this case steel coils to be slit into split
coils or to be used for the sheet metall fabrication, will
be precisely placed at a pre-determined location. And
this is accomplished as follows: The positioning system
consists of a code tape with magnetic longitudinal code
and a reading head with integrated logic. The intelligent
reading head determines the position from the code
tape, processes the data and transmits it via an interface
to a controller. The controller is enabled to continually
request the absolute position from the reading head and
thus verifies the position of the mobile equipment. Our
customer, Becker Stahl Service, is specialized in the processing of rolled steel sheets and coils, split coils and
steel cutting. In order to assure material flow for absolutely punctual delivery to customers in the automobile
industry a thoroughly organized and space efficient material management system had to be implemented. This,
Becker found by VAHLE: APOS was used at the storage
facility. At a height of 10 m (33 ft.), just under the ceiling
of the storage building, 220 m VAHLE Unipole conductors were installed over the entire length of the building
together with APOS, integrated into a KBH housing, on
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either side of the building. The APOS positioning system
is used to monitor the travel of two cranes which unload
the trucks at an adjacent unloading area. It is also used
to synchronize the movement of the two cranes.
Current conductors and positioning from one source
Remarkable on this project: This is the first implementation of a large process crane installation with a
length of 220m where continual absolute positioning is
assured. The numerous advantages of VAHLE APOS conviced our customer: APOS is a solution which is not only
very compact and directly integrateable with the current
conductors, existing installations may also be upgraded.
The absolute position of the mobile equipment is shown
at once as soon as the system is turned on and also after
a power interruption. Moisture, low light or dust cannot
interfere with position recognition as APOS is not based
on an optical laser reader. Possible system’s length max.
524m and the installation is virtually maintenance free.
Another positive aspect is the speed of the system. Travel speed of this very compact system is up to 5m/sec.
No noise, no fumes – VAHLE
revolutionizes container handling
Environmentally friendly and highly efficient: VAHLE develops
technology to power Rubber Tyred Gantry Cranes (RTG’s) with electricity
Container shipping grows three times faster than the world’s economy. Technological progress for port logistics and efficient container handling have therefore high priority. VAHLE has already a very good reputation with
many innovations for crane and port applications. VAHLE now introduces a spectacular new development, a semiautomatic telescoping arm which links RTG’s inside a container aisle to a conductor system.
Efficiency, speed and reliability is an absolute requirement for port installations, very low noise and
environmentally friendly is also desirable. VAHLE has
in the past developed a number of innovative products
which meet or even surpass the requirements for the
port and transloading industry. Especially notable are
Copperhead conductors and insulated Unipole conductors as well as cable carriers which can accommodate
crane trolley speed of over 600m/min. Now VAHLE has
introduced an innovation which will soon make container handling in ports all over the world more efficient, environmentally friendly and less dangerous: the
electrification of Rubber Tyred Gantries. RTGs are not
track guided and they can move from aisle to aisle between stacked containers at port facilities. Presently all
RTGs use onboard diesel powered generators to supply electricity for drive and hoist motors. Now our engineers have developed a system which can supply RTGs
directly in each aisle with electrical current. Expensive,
noisy and polluting diesel generators need not run continuously. Existing installations can be upgraded. The
system works as follows: When the RTG drives into an
aisle a telescoping arm engages with a conductor system installed at the aisle and supplies current directly
to the RTG, The diesel engine for the generator can be
turned off. Advantages: harmful exhaust emission is
avoided, engine wear and maintenance are substantially reduced thus minimizing equipment downtime.
Also a cost analysis turns out to be highly favorable as
high fuel costs can be offset with the more reasonable
electricity cost. And another plus, the facility operates
with a substantially reduced noise level.
Efficient logistics become increasingly important
This new development garners significant importance
from the fact that because of the worldwide increase in
shipping efficiency plays a decisive role: an electrically
operated, semi-automatic facility increases storage efficiency tremendously while lowering operating cost.
VAHLE offers the system in two variations: one system
uses a plug-in version. The connection to the conductor system must be done manually, this saves initial
system’s cost but is obviously less efficient. A second,
more advanced version operates semi-automatically
and utilizes a telescoping arm which inserts a current
collector set into the conductor system when the RTG
drives into an aisle, no manual assist is needed.
11
www.vahle.de
Spectacular end of the
"Journey of Harmony"
Successful combination:
conquest of a new crane segment
VAHLE installation enables the "flight" of the Olympic torch bearer
across the stadium
For the first time SMG and Unipole conductors installed
on a machinery trolley
The 2008 Olympic games in Peking created great excitement with one of the most spectacular opening ceremonies in the history of the Olympics: Li Ning, a 1984 triple gymnastics gold medalist and final torch bearer, lit the
Olympic flame at the "birds nest", high above the spectators. Suspended on steel cables like a puppet he "run"
high in the air across the length of the stadium using technology courtesy of VAHLE.
A container crane at the Spanish port of Algeciras at the Mediterranean is for VAHLE the first step into a new market
segment: For the first time the successful combination (insulated Unipole conductors for current supply and the SMG
slotted microwave guide for data transmission) has been installed in an STS container crane to replace a worn out festoon cable carrier installation. The project was so successful that additional orders have already been announced.
The "Journey of Harmony", at 137,000km the longest
torch run in Olympic history, did end in Peking at the
"birds nest" Olympic stadium on August 8 of last year
with a spectacular aerial display. High up, suspended by
only two steel cables, close to the stadium roof, Li Ning
lit the Olympic flame. Whoever witnessed the spectacle
will not soon forget it. Accompanying the torch bearer
across the stadium was a huge banner projected onto
the wall of the stadium which recounted China’s history
from antiquity to the present. VAHLE engineers made it
possible for Li Ning to "run" for over three minutes with
his torch some 500m through the air.
In the past the combination SMG slotted microwave
guide and Unipole conductor has been installed at less
complex STS cranes with steel rope driven trolley to replace heavy, maintenance intensive festoon cable carrier or cable chain systems with a modern and reliable
state of the art product. SMG to transmit control and
safety data and Unipole conductor to supply electrical
current to the crane trolley has proven to be a successful combination with several advantages: data transmission occurs without delay in real time. Interference is
impossible and there is very little component wear. In
comparison with conventional cable carrier systems or
cable chains the SMG/Unipole combination permits a
substantially higher trolley speed, up to 600 m/min. and
thus faster container loading and unloading. New crane
design and construction can be simplified because of the
reduced weight and dynamic load, which in turn reduces
susceptibility to high winds, of the new concept. In addition, the SMG/Unipole combination increases operating
reliability and system’s availability as there is very little
maintenance which obviously results in substantial operating cost savings.
A successful "run"
Here is how it was accomplished: On the inner edge of
the stadium roof surface VAHLE U 15 Unipole conductors
were installed at a total length of 490m. U 15 Unipole is
usually used for crane electrification. Several track guided carriers, supplied with current and data by the VAHLE
U 15, could move along the roof. The carriers had outriggers which extended several meters beyond the roof
edge. Li Ning was suspended from one of the outriggers
and was carried at a speed of approx. 3 m/sec. along the
roof edge. The "run" to the Olympic flame took just about
190 seconds. Two sets of 9 collectors each were installed
on each vehicle. The 490 m runway has 13 conductors.
The data transmission was relegated to the VAHLE high
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performance Powercom® 485 with PROFIBUS DP which
usually is utilized on material handling and crane installations.
The Chinese organizers of the Olympics and the
world’s sport enthusiasts were highly satisfied with the
conceptualization and the result of this project. It has
also become an outstanding reference for Li Xiang, the
General Manager of the VAHLE subsidiary, VAHLE Mobilizing Electrification Trading Co., Ltd. Shanghai, who was
responsible for the order and its implementation.
Refurbishment of cranes
Best of all for our customers: the VAHLE breakthrough
is not only for new cranes it can also be used to refurbish tired cranes as it happened with the Algeciras, Spain
project. The container crane was already 13 years old and
the festoon cable carrier installation was ready for major
refurbishing when the decision was made to replace it
with the VAHLE SMG/Unipole combination. The aspect of
virtually no maintenance for SMG/Unipole was the main
factor when the decision was made to remove the festoon
cable carrier system and take a risk on the new VAHLE
concept.
Also the consideration of a prospect of long term reduced operating cost was a decisive factor. VAHLE entered
a new era with this project. Previously VAHLE engineers
had experience only with another type of STS cranes, the
less complex steel rope driven trolley. The difference: formerly only 4-6 conductors were required for the current
supply of a rope driven trolley STS, here it was necessary to install a far more elaborate 19 conductor system.
However, during installation our engineers concluded
that in the future a 15
conductor system will
suffice. With a special
interface the SMG
transceiver can transmit speedometer signals from the trolley
lift even more reliably
than the U 25 Unipole
conductor.
13
www.vahle.de
VAHLE Internally
VAHLE athlets
VAHLE employees strike a good figure not only during the day at the office, a VAHLE team comprised of 52
colleagues gave proof that they are no couch potatoes
when they put on track shoes during a recent AOK (German health insurance provider) sponsored 5.5 km run.
3517 participants from 238 regional companies ran,
jogged, walked or walked with nordic equipment for a
good cause. Start and finish was at the city hall square in
Unna leading through the inner city and the Bornekamp.
The VAHLE team proofed to be not only very fit, they were
also in very good humor: after the run it became evident
that they are even better in celebrating until late in the
evening at the after-run-party.
New jerseys for mini kickers
VAHLE donates new jerseys for young soccer talents
The eyes of the young soccer players lit up when they
saw the new complete set of soccer jerseys which VAHLE donated to the young talents of SSV Muehlhausen/
Uelzen and SV Kamen. "As a family owned company with
450 employees in
Kamen and Dortmund we obviously feel obligated to
the region" stated
Managing Director Dirk Korn. With
great enthusiasm
the young soccer
players
practice
their dribble and
passing skills as
they want to be
14
ready for the 2022 World championship. They play almost every weekend against other regional teams and
are eager competitors. "VAHLE offers every year ten
young people the opportunity to apprentice and to be
educated at the commercial office or the production facilities. "Power in motion" is our company’s slogan, similar as with Carrera track and slot toy cars, our products
transmit electrical current to moving equipment such as
cranes, lifts or roller coasters" explained Managing Director Dirk Korn the company’s products to the amazed
future soccer stars during the uniform presentation.
Lucky winners
VAHLE’s treat: a weekend at the "Europapark"
VAHLE was very
generous at the
LogiMat 2009 exhibition. Every day
during the exhibition, booth visitors
could
participate
in a drawing which
awarded a two day
visit at the "Europapark", an amusement park in Rust,
Germany, for two
persons to the lucky
winner. The winners,
Chrstian
Boehm
with
Eisenmann
company Boeblingen, Juergen Stoeckler with MTU Friedrichshafen and
Axel Ruhnar with FAB Waldshut-Tiengen can look forward
to an exiting weekend.
Health protection starts at
primary school
VAHLE supports prevention project "Class 2000"
Bernd Hauptreif, VAHLE plant manager, is convinced
that one cannot start early enough to protect oneself
from health or work place related problems and he
wants to proof it with VAHLE’s participation in project
"Class 2000". Within
the framework of this
health initiative for
primary school children VAHLE has taken
over the sponsorship
of class 2b attending
the "Glückauf" school
in Kamen. A nutritional
expert will advise the
children to become or
remain fit and self confident, to better understand their body and their emotions, with the hope that
this will forestall violent behavior and addiction problems. The children learn about exercise, relaxation and
healthy nutrition. VAHLE will sponsor the children, the
school is situated just
one street over from
the VAHLE facilities.
During their visit to the
class Bernd Hauptreif
and apprentice Julia
Assmann received a
nice "Thank you", the
children had made a
collage with class picture and hand written
notes.
International summit
VAHLE representatives from 27 Nations learn about the
latest innovations
From all over the globe VAHLE representatives and
employees of VAHLE subsidiaries joined a four day
meeting at Park Inn in Kamen. A total of 27 nations was
represented at this international get-together, including
Brazil, China, Dubai, USA, India, Singapore and most
European countries. Great interest was generated by
new developments of the VAHLE development department, such as the astonishing electrical current supply
system for the world’s largest Ferris wheel in Singapore
or the inductive current supply system for streetcars
which eliminates the unsightly trolley overhead wires.
During the meeting the participants had also the opportunity to make suggestions for improvements and to
elaborate on the particularities of their local business
environment. The evenings were spent at local restaurants to sample regional fare, relax and engage in convivial conversation.
Widen the horizont
Using continued education for advancement
Life long learning is written in large letters at VAHLE:
several VAHLE employees have enrolled at the BfW (continued professional education) organized by the DGB
(German Trade Union Association) in Unna to become
qualified as component specialist. "The result: absolutely positive" summarizes Bernd Hauptreif, plant manager.
The continued education effort culminates with an examination at the IHK (German Industry Association). The
BfW offers several additional interesting courses such as
SPS, management seminars, Excel and other computer
courses.
15
www.vahle.de
economical, practical, one-piece:
the "new ones" from VAHLe
VAHLe just introduced two interesting newly developed components: the one-piece VKS 10 connector and the
also one-piece U 10 connector/feed terminal. Both new designs offer several advantages.
Out of five make one: what previously had to be assembled with five component parts is now a single piece,
the new VKS 10 connector which has replaced the old
standard connector. A newly available material, spring
steel sheet metal, makes it possible that a component,
which previously hat required three discrete materials,
can now be fabricated from this new material as a onepiece part. Tests for over a year at the VAHLE test installation have provided conclusive proof: the new VKS 10
connector, quite a complex component fabricated from
the new copper coated spring steel sheet metal, is absolutely reliable. The new VKS 10 connector is produced in
two versions, a 60 A and a 100-125 A. A major advantage
of this innovative component for our customers is the increase of reliability and quality: the fewer parts a component has, the fewer sources for problems there are. And
there is another welcome benefit for the new component,
which is fully compatible with existing installations, the
installed new connector increases system’s rigidity.
And another interesting new VAHLE design replaces
its predecessor: the new U 10 connector/feed terminal.
The new component replaces the current standard UV 10
connector as well as the standard UE 10 feed terminal.
It can also be installed at air gaps and transfers. This
component uses the same copper coated spring steel
sheet metal and had been previously comprised of six
discrete parts is now also fabricated as a single part.
The new material again makes it possible to eleminate
parts. The new U 10 connector / feed terminal is compatible with existing installations and as the name implies,
can be used as a connector or a feed terminal or both.
And as with the VKS 10 connector, reliability and quality increase when innovative parts elimination reduces
potential sources for problems.
p o w e r i n m ot i o n
Kamen/Germany +49(0)2307/704-0
www.vahle.de · [email protected]