UNIC Cranes Europe recently executed a complex glazing installation project for luxury apartments and townhouses in Chelsea, marking the public opening of a site that had been disused for over 150 years. This development required the precise installation of multiple large, curved glazing units at both the North and South entrances of the building.
The project presented several challenges, including the proximity to building facades, a shallow trench in the lift area, installation beneath existing overhangs and soffits, and the presence of pedestrians. UNIC Cranes Europe meticulously planned the lift by conducting a site survey, creating a lift plan, and performing a risk assessment to select the most suitable equipment and positioning.
For this intricate task, the customer-favourite UNIC URW-706 Mini Spider Crane was chosen alongside the Libro 1000 3D Head Overhang Beam. The URW-706 was ideal due to its compact size and flexibility, allowing it to navigate around obstacles effortlessly. With a width of only 1670mm when its outriggers are folded, the crane could be easily manoeuvred, and the lift area could be safely cordoned off without impeding pedestrian walkways.
The URW-706’s outriggers provided enhanced stability and balance, enabling the crane to be positioned safely over gaps. By lifting the crane’s main body off the ground, the outriggers mitigated the issue posed by the shallow trench at the lift site.
To address the challenge of the building overhang, the Libro 1000 3D Head was the optimal tool, offering smooth access to the facade opening and precise manipulation of the glazing. This attachment combines glass lifting and control with the ability to install materials below overhangs up to 3000mm deep. With its radio remote control and powered tilting, slewing, and 95˚ rotation, the operator could achieve millimetre precision in fitting the glazing underneath the overhang.
The coordination between the URW-706 and the Libro 1000 3D Head, along with the expertise of UNIC’s operators and lift supervisors, ensured that the installation was performed with exceptional control and precision, resulting in a flawless execution.
