Hart’s shutter delivers groundbreaking pressure resistance to extreme winds.

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Hart’s Typhoon shutter is the product of the moment says Hart’s chairman Doug Hart. It delivers groundbreaking wind resistance in windy environments where the inherent weakness of relatively light weight wind class 5 roller shutters is not good enough.

Early examples of World-class, Hart installations are in Hong Kong for the airport terminal doors and data centres with access doors going up to 20 stories installed over the last few years. In the UK, current contracts in construction include the Highlands and Islands of Scotland where significantly enhanced shutter design is being used to secure building and their access.

Tested and third party verified to a level which is up to four times the BSEN Class 5 wind resistance requirements, the shutter is currently available up to eight metres in width.

Hart’s Typhoon roller shutter range has been tested in a vertical plane, as a fully operational door with door operation cycle testing after the specimen was fully load tested. Wind speed alone does not translate to the pressure applied to a door / surface. The real pressure evaluation must consider the density of the air that is applied to a door along with a number of other factors.

Reported wind speed is a generalisation and the actual pressure applied to a door or any surface could be a factor increase over reported wind speed. The actual pressure can be magnified by topography, whereby its funnelled between structures or hills, height above sea level and finally a sucking or negative component when other doors are opened within a building to name a few.

When considering the design the exposure at the actual location is crucial. A factor should be allowed to compensate for wind buffeting and material fatigue when specifying the pressure load. The only real way to cater for all eventualities is to build a unique software model taking all factors into consideration, however this can be an expensive approach so careful consideration of the location and design by wind experienced specialists can be the most practical solution when looking at existing buildings.

Roller shutters are a brilliantly convenient way to close off an opening securely while utilising the least additional space for operational requirements.

Last century roller doors were made from wood but now shutters are very advanced and are now available in steel, stainless steel, or aluminium insulated or non-insulated and prefinished to a required colour.

Full automation, linked to robotic and other mobile equipment, high speed performance, high security, fire control, the options are endless with greater efficiency and first-class safety and operational capability.

Experience and considered design has resulted in the development of the Hart’s Typhoon shutter.

www.hartdoors.com

Hoist & Winch provides the lift for modern flour mill build and maintenance

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When constructing a modern high-speed flour mill, efficient installation and long-term maintenance of plant equipment demand a carefully planned lifting solution. For a recent project, the main contractor turned to Hoist & Winch Ltd, one of the UK's leading lifting equipment companies. Hoist & Winch specified, supplied and installed a two-phase hoisting solution capable of supporting both the plant installation phase and ongoing maintenance activities once the facility became operational.

The project required a flexible approach. During installation, contractors required a high-capacity hoist capable of lifting heavy process equipment through a dedicated lift shaft. Upon completion of plant installation and commissioning, however, the requirement shifted to a permanent, high-speed lifting solution to support routine maintenance of the mill’s processing equipment.

Following site meetings and consultations with plant designers and project managers from the main contractor, Hoist & Winch proposed a turnkey lifting package that could meet both requirements.

For the short-term installation phase, Hoist & Winch supplied a 10t safe working load (SWL) JDN air-powered chain hoist offering 30m of lifting height. Mounted in an air motor-powered trolley, the hoist was complemented by a portable diesel-powered air compressor and air hoses. Hoist & Winch also undertook installation and commissioning of the hoist, along with load testing and LOLER certification of the customer’s pre-installed hoist runway beam. Operator handover training was subsequently provided for plant installation contractors.

Installing the temporary hoist system formed phase 1 of the project. To facilitate this work, the site scaffolding contractor constructed a platform over the lift shaft in accordance with Hoist & Winch specifications. The 10t air-powered hoist unit was raised to installation level using a temporarily mounted 2t SWL JDN air-powered chain hoist fixed to the underside of the runway beam.

Once positioned beneath the beam, installation of the 10t hoist took place using a dedicated lifting arrangement comprising a pair of T-shaped lifting frames and four 1t SWL manual chain blocks. This configuration enabled engineers to mount the hoist trolley safely to the runway beam by initially opening and then closing the trolley width around the beam section.

Following installation checks and connecting the air supply, Hoist & Winch performed dynamic load testing of both the hoist and runway beam using a 10t test load over the full 30m lifting height. This process was followed by a 125% static proof load test at low level. With testing successfully complete, Hoist & Winch delivered operator handover training to the installation contractors responsible for lifting the mill’s process plant equipment into position.

Phase 2 of the project involved removing the temporary air-powered hoist and installing the permanent lifting solution: a 3.2t SWL Stahl electric wire rope hoist with 30m lifting height. Mounted on a motor-powered trolley and operating with a single rope fall, the hoist unit delivers a very high main lifting speed of 16 m/min to minimise plant downtime during maintenance lifts through the access shaft and 2.6 m/min slow lifting speed for precise load laydown at the load landing level.

Hoist & Winch conducted installation, commissioning, load testing and LOLER certification of the permanent hoist system, before providing handover training for the mill’s maintenance personnel.

“Projects like this demonstrate the value of careful planning and technical collaboration to deliver safe, efficient lifting solutions that support both the construction and long-term operation of complex industrial facilities,” says Hoist & Winch Director Andy Allen. “We subsequently secured the contract for annual hoist inspection and maintenance.”

Visit www.hoistandwinch.co.uk for further information and to view recent case studies.

Hart’s success with its range of doors

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Writes Chris Dobson

Working through a major developer which delivers high-profile infrastructure projects, Hart Door Systems has supplied 16 industrial doors, ranging from  Speedor Storms to insulated shutters for a major Waste Transfer Station.  

Hart’s chairman, Doug Hart says the scheme is billed as a step forward into a greener future and “we are delighted to be part of this significant project which demonstrates our broad range of industrial door products”.  

He adds: “Time and again clients tell us Speedor Storm is chosen because of its fast open and close operation. This in turn helps with environmental control and energy use reduction, essential for any major green project. Other Speedor Storm benefits include reliability and technologically advanced features which boost efficiency.”

Hart Door System’s wind-resistant, high-speed, industrial rolling door, Speedor Storm, is ready for business be it a factory, warehouse, storage facility or any kind of plant operation that has one or more large external openings which must be opened frequently for people and traffic.

With wind resistance available up to ‘wind class 5’, as defined by DIN EN 12424, in the closed position this high-speed door is ready for openings to a maximum 8 metres width or height subject to 48 square metres. This ability to withstand substantial wind pressure means major entrances open/close automatically so avoiding a less than optimal working environment and the escape of heated air.

Speedor Storm is designed specifically to help with several areas of business notably productivity, improving environment in which to work, delivering maintenance of temperature and environment by door preventing penetration by wind born debris.

Made at Hart’s Newcastle factory, from where its teams of engineers are available throughout the UK for installation and reliable servicing and maintenance thereafter.

The benefits of Speedor Storm come from its unique guide system in combination with other carefully designed features. Further Speedor Storm’s strength and wind resistance comes from its multi-layer PVC and textile, both long-lasting and tear-resistant and its inbuilt horizontal curtain braces and no external cumbersome and noisy external wind bars.

There is a colour choice as well as ‘a with or without vision panel ’ which combine to deliver a good appearance, operational effectiveness and a performance product.

Safety features include a state of the art safety light curtain, anti-fall protection and sensors to activate the door. There is a range of operating methods that include hands free, floor loops, radar, photo beam, radio operation, movement sensors, handheld or vehicle-mounted radio transmitters,  or simple push button and pull cords.

The automatic operation can be set to include or exclude pedestrians as desired. If warning lights or klaxons are required, these can be incorporated in a complete door system and control panel which are designed for any conceivable need including integration into a Building Management System if necessary. This is delivered via its unique guide system in combination with other carefully designed features.

Little wonder Speedor Storms are so highly regarded.

www.hartdoors.com

GROUP RHODES TO DEMONSTRATE FULL MANUFACTURING CAPABILITIES FOR COMPOSITE AND METALFORMING MACHINERY AT MACH 2026

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Birmingham NEC, Hall 6 STAND 380, 20-24 APRIL

Group Rhodes, the world’s longest established manufacturer of metalforming machinery, will be demonstrating its extensive capabilities in the manufacture and servicing of composite and metal forming equipment at MACH 2026.

 The company is highly experienced in manufacturing equipment for the production of light weight components.  This includes manufacturing Superplastic Forming (SPF) presses for the aerospace and defence sector used to produce component parts for light aero structures.

Mark Ridgway OBE, CEO of Group Rhodes, said: “MACH 2026 is a superb platform for us to demonstrate our extensive capabilities in the composite and metal forming industries.  Our experienced team will be discussing with manufacturers how we can help them to meet their equipment requirements, using our expertise gained from over 200 years in the metalforming industry.  We are also looking forward to discussing some of our latest innovations and how we can help companies to produce lighter weight products to meet their requirements.”

Group Rhodes will also be showcasing its comprehensive aftermarket service, for equipment including Rhodes, Atkin Automation, Fielding, Berry, Chester, John Shaw, HME, Bentley, Cowlishaw Walker, Kinghorn, Steco, plus other manufacturers’ equipment.

Alongside Group Rhodes, sister company Atkin Automation will be promoting its large portfolio of coil processing machinery, which includes a comprehensive range of Servo Roll Feeds.

The company is also working on releasing a new website in the Spring www.grouprhodes.co.uk.  The much-anticipated website will demonstrate all Group Rhodes’ latest projects, innovations and case studies, featuring its complete range of expertise in the manufacture of equipment for the metalforming and composites industries. 

Group Rhodes has a 200 year metalforming machinery history and has manufactured equipment for the forming of composite materials from as early as the 1930s. In addition, the group operates divisions in the heavy ceramics and material handling sectors and has won Queen’s Awards for both Innovation and International Trade in recent years.

The company’s composite machinery is used to produce structural components for production road cars as well as flight critical components for a variety of aircraft. The company also offers a wide range of hot and cold forming technologies for specialist metalforming applications across several industrial sectors.

All Group Rhodes’ machinery is supported by a comprehensive aftermarket spares and service team which maintains the company’s equipment throughout the world.

Atkin Automation, part of Group Rhodes, is a leading manufacturer of material handling equipment for the metalforming market. The company, originally known as WT Atkin, is renowned for the high quality of its coil processing line equipment and has a long history of serving both UK and international markets in sectors as diverse as automotive, white goods and construction.

http://www.grouprhodes.co.uk/