The heaviest hydraulic cylinder ever produced by Netherlands manufacturer Bosch Rexroth, is ready for installation onboard the biggest ever piling barge.
The cylinder will provide stability alongside smooth mobility to the derrick, which will be able to reach parts of the seabed previously unexplored.
The Chinese barge is equipped with a 130-metre derrick, which can drive the housing for concrete pillars into parts of the seabed which couldn’t be reached before. This will allow the government to invest in more offshore wind farms and green energy solutions, and they will be able to build more bridges to help keep the growing population moving. It’s essential that the derrick can be kept stable in challenging conditions, and moved slowly and smoothly without any sudden changes in speed. The cylinder makes this possible, and the Chinese government chose Bosch Rexroth as their partner for this crucial piece of technology.
“They chose us because of our experience, and our trusted name,” says Rob Drabbe, Sales Manager for Large Cylinders at Bosch Rexroth. “We build cylinders like this all the time, so they knew they could rely on us to produce the equipment according to their specifications.”
During the procurement process, Bosch Rexroth provided valuable consultation about the initial plans for the construction of the cylinder, as the materials proposed by the Chinese representatives weren’t optimal in terms of how they interact with each other.
“They had suggestions for coatings, seals and bearings,” adds Rob, “but we were able to show them that although the individual suggestions themselves were good, they didn’t work as well when combined in a single system. We were also able to show them our research and development facility, where they could talk to our engineers, which gave them even more confidence in Bosch Rexroth.”
The cylinder itself was carefully engineered to ensure that no matter how challenging the conditions are, it will always be able to operate smoothly and reliably. Everything was taken into account in the construction, such as smoothness, corrosion protection, safety factors and tribology. The result is a robust cylinder packed with innovation, and coated with Enduroq to further enhance its durability.
By Jake Frith
