Finnish crane builder Satateräs Oy supplied a 10t gantry crane running on a 70m runway for a German-French consortium constructing a power station

The consortium - between Areva NP and Siemens - is constructing the fifth north European nuclear power station in west Finland. The so-called OL3 project, based in Olkiluoto, has an estimated value of Euros 3 billion. The crane will be used to load and unload incoming lorries. The crane runway has a total length of 70m, which is negotiated with a maximum crane travelling speed of 25m per min. The span of the crane is 8m and the total height is 7.9m, with a total weight of 6,000kg.

Satateräs used a tailor-made crane kit from Mannheim, Germany. The hoist, control devices and electrics were supplied by the lifting equipment specialist SWF Krantechnik GmbH. A Nova electric double girder wire rope hoist with standard frequency inverter control for smooth stepless cross travelling was also used. This technology was used for the crane's long travelling motion - the idea being that a smooth and safe transportation of the load could be ensured. The Nova wire rope hoist has a maximum load of 10,000kg and a capable lifting height of 7m. The complete crane is controlled by a radio remote control system. Additionally, Satateräs used a special drive system, the power for which was supplied via a motor powered cable reel drum from Wampfler.

Within a seven-week time period the Satateräs team, led by managing director Juha Paukkunen, were able to manufacture, install and commission the complete crane system together with its runway. Prior to this project, Satateräs had already supplied cranes and a hoist from SWF Krantechnik to several other OL3 project suppliers. In the production facilities in Siikainen, Satateräs is currently working on four 12.5t double girder cranes with Nova electric wire rope hoists for a customer in Russia.