V - The magazine of the VOLLMER Group - 2018

chemical tests and numerous calcula- tions. With this model it is now pos- sible to subject all, believe it or not, 18,000 iron elements to continuous high-tech health checks. The main- tenance of the Eiffel Tower has been raised to a new modern standard. The architectural icon is thus optimally prepared for the big challenges of the future, such as global warming and increasing air pollution. become inventive in order to be able to paint every angle in the spindle-like substructure as well as in the almost 230 metre high towers, each with their 600,000 rivets, in the "International Orange" colour. The painters dab their brushes, which are attached to long wooden poles, at areas that are diffi- cult to access, and check the results with mirrors. Sometimes they climb up in motor-operated boxes to get to the cable. Or they climb in so-called spider baskets. On rare occasions when it is quiet they manage to watch whales whilst working. Definitely: The main- tenance of one of the oldest bridges in the world is a breathtaking affair. Today and in the future. Big Ben Everyone all over the world is familiar with the chime of Big Ben. However, it currently cannot be heard live. Because the bell of London's landmark has remained silent since August 2017. Reason: The Elizabeth Tower is crumbling. Cracks have appeared in the brickwork, the cast iron roof is corroded and the belfry is damaged. The 30 million pound renovation programme will drag on until 2021. A real shock for the Brits. Because Big Ben has sounded now almost uninter- The Golden Gate Bridge is also under attack. From corrosive salt air, road dirt and UV rays. The ravages of time are taking their toll on the majes- tic suspension bridge and various factors are attempting to convert the landmark built in 1933 into a rusty skeleton. Fortunately the bridge designed by the architect Irving F. Morrow has powerful allies. Including an elite group of painters, who scurry up and down diligently to protect the Golden Gate Bridge. The job in San Francisco bay has its highs and lows. And sometimes the team have to Golden Gate Bridge rupted since 1859. The bell was already stopped once before for brief mainte- nance work. Steve Jagg thinks the step is necessary. He monitors the work and must ensure that this wonderful piece of Victorian engineering art is in excellent shape. For him the silencing of Big Ben is not a nuisance. On the contrary, he thinks it is a necessary step with which the workers should be protected against the deafening sounds of the four quarter-hour bells and the trembling of Big Ben. Eiffel Tower When Gustave Eiffel built the tower for the World Expo in 1889 near the banks of the River Seine in Paris, it was originally planned to take the iron structure down again after 20 years. As we know, it all turned out differ- ently. The iron lady remained and became one of the biggest tourist attractions in Europe. Every year over seven million visitors climb or travel up to the viewing platforms in order to marvel at the panorama of the capital. For more than one hundred years the maintenance work on the Eiffel Tour primarily consisted of paintwork. Thorough maintenance only began from 2008. Under the management of chief engineer Stéphane Roussin, a digital model of the structure was produced based on mechanical and FLYING HIGH: MAINTE- NANCE WORK ON BIG BEN IN LONDON. 120,000 vehicles drive over the Golden Gate Bridge every day. Not without leaving their mark. Maintenance takes effect – also at VOLLMER The previous examples show: Mainte- nance is an effective measure in every case to preserve values. This applies to historic buildings, but equally to reliable and robust eroding or grinding machines. And that's why there are maintenance teams who perform really fantastic work not only in Ulm, London, San Francisco and Paris, but also here in our company. You can find out what services we offer our customers so that the potential of a VOLLMER machine is maintained for as long as possible at any time on request, as well as online at WWW. VOLLMER-GROUP .COM – we look forward to hearing from you! 32 33 PERSPECTIVES