Glass roof challenge for Meister

Meister used a Palfinger PK 200002 L SH, a PK 78002 SH and a WT 530 access platform to help replace a pane of glass in the atrium roof of the Main Triangle building in Frankfurt, Germany.

The 450 kg glass pane was 3.6 x 2.4 m. It was positioned at an elevation of 38 metres inside the building. To prevent any disruption to traffic outside the building, the glass pane was replaced from inside the atrium.

To keep the point loads as low as possible, heavy steel plates were placed inside the building. A 3D multi-axis glass manipulator developed by Meister was attached to the tip of the PK 200002 L SH. A PK 78002 SH was used to lift the replacement pane of glass.

The PK 200002 L SH assembly crane was extended to a reach of 38 m. “The vacuum device fitted to the tip of the crane attached itself to the surface of the glass and the hydraulic thrust arms lifted the defective glass by 20 cm,” a spokesperson said. “A Palfinger WT 530 access platform was used in parallel so the crane driver could control the crane precisely at a height of 38 metres.”

After removing the defective glass pane, the new pane of glass was lifted from the ground and inserted into place.

Horst Gruber, the crane operator, said, “It was crucial in this job to work accurately and carefully. Even the smallest wrong movement and the new glass could have fallen. We were able to get the job done quickly and cost-effectively and so convince the building facility manager that it was right to work from the inside.”