Amsterdam – A Metropolis between Tradition and modern life

Although Amsterdam is renowned for its traditional buildings, many wonderful examples of modern architecture, such as the ING House, can be found in Amsterdam as well. Amsterdam is also home to 40 museums. The traditional pubs in the city centre are also a favourite destination for visitors, as the area offers a unique and inviting atmosphere. And for those who simply prefer to fall into bed after a fulfilling and eventful day – no problem: Amsterdam has more than 30,000 hotel rooms to offer.

Schiphol

Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport is the most important airport in the country and is the hub of the European continent. On a yearly basis, 58 million passengers and more than 1.4 million tons of goods are processed through Schiphol's 2,787 hectares of space.

Air conditioning and lighting are very important for Schiphol's passengers as they move smoothly from check-in to take-off. The satisfaction of passengers at Schiphol depends on the availability of high-quality, long-lasting electrical equipment over the course of decades. This is why Schiphol uses Wöhner components and a Wöhner 60 mm busbar system. 

Schiphol is more than just an important intersection for European travel - it’s an airport where you can relax: more than 100 shops and 70 restaurants are on offer for Schiphol's passengers. The 60 mm busbar system from Wöhner provides a comfortable atmosphere in these areas of the airport.

The Wöhner system ensures that ventilation and air conditioning function perfectly in every lounge so that passengers can wait for their departure in complete comfort.

ING House

Directly on Ring A 10, you will notice an eye-catching, shoe-shaped building constructed on v-shaped stilts: this is the ING House. This main branch office of one of the world’s largest financial service providers comprises over 7,500 square metres and has already been honoured with multiple architecture awards.

The ING House has a “climate facade”. This means that it has a facade made entirely of glass that was built between 70 centimetres and a few metres in front of the actual facade of the building. Besides reducing street noise, the climate facade also draws in clean air from the side of the building that faces away from the motorway.

In order to ensure safe and efficient operation of the climate control and ventilation systems in the highly complex ING House, the space-saving and reliable 60 mm system from Wöhner was also installed here.

Amsterdam Arena

This multi-functional arena on the outskirts of Amsterdam has just celebrated its tenth birthday. This arena is not only home to Holland’s football series champions Ajax, but it also plays host to rock and pop greats like Robbie Williams. To guarantee the safety and security of fans at such big events, appropriate lighting and emergency lighting systems are necessary. The busbar system designed and produced by Wöhner ensures that thousands of people can enjoy themselves in safety at the Amsterdam Arena.

A.C.M.I. SpA shrink-wrapping machines

A.C.M.I. SpA from Parma is a leading manufacturer of shrink-wrapping machines for producing film multipacks (multi-unit packages). The product range includes cans, jars and bottles as well as pre-packaged products in the beer, soft drink, hygiene, food and non-food industry. The production capacity range of these shrink-wrapping machines varies from 80 cycles/min to 160 cycles/min - depending on the product to be packaged. Wöhner busbar systems are installed in the corresponding switching cabinets by GT Impianti.

“Allianz Kai” office and service centre

Even insurance companies want to create a positive working atmosphere for their employees – that includes contemporary and functional architecture as well as the matching art objects.

Owner of the “Allianz Kai” in Frankfurt am Main is the Allianz Lebensversicherungs-AG. The architectural competition for the new building of a 23,000m2 large area in Frankfurt am Main that started in 1997 was won by the HPP Hent-rich-Petschnigg & Partner office in Düsseldorf. 62,000m2 of cement and 10,000 tons of constructional steel were used during the two years prior to completion in January 2002. Three-hundred and fifty construction workers from 15 nations were involved in the approximately 250 million euro project; hundreds of companies participated in construction.

A simple, conveniently situated architectural highlight 300 metres long, 80 metres wide and up to 60 metres high complex emerged on the Theodor-Stern-Kai, in which around 2,500 employees were offered an exceptional working environment. The complex is an all-in-one competence centre for the insurance business and associated services — all experts are located under one roof, meaning short distances for customers, business partners and visitors.

The 72,000m2 glass facades symbolize clarity, openness and transparency. Inside the building, the “Magistrale” a 166 metre long and 24 metre high access way forms the architectural heart of the new building. “The openness of this Magistrale”, according to architect Joachim H. Faust, “provides orientation and views. A dialogue emerges from the inside of this building to the outside and from the outside to the inside from which the office world is brought to life at any time of day with various moods of light.”

The architecture in the “Allianz Kai” is complemented by a “corporate collection”. The architectural space and its artistic aspects were so successively staged that one is reminded of the classical interplay of the arts. The Munich artist Stephan Huber provided a context regarding the urban developmental connection of the complex to the Main that he uses as a sculptural as well as intellectual space for his extensive art.

The Main and Rhine rivers drew Stephan Huber inside the building: the luminous blue neon installation weaves throughout the entrance hall and “Magistrale” on a scale of 1:1,500. The stylized and electrified river flow of the Main and Rhine are flanked by 21 glass patron saints and their corresponding symbols. The rivers and patron saints on their “banks” function as sculptural allegories of the German topography, river navigation, their risks and “self assurance” against disasters while travelling.

The course of the river was segmented and the individual sections were lightly pushed together to “force” the meandering Main into the Magistrale. The Rhine is also segmented, and the lower course and section between Karlsruhe and the Dutch border are also depicted; the remaining river disappears into two large spirals.

Floating on a finely woven net of stainless steel ropes and silver electric cables and accompanied by the patron saints made of semi-transparent material, both rivers take their course as neon lines through the building.

Mandelli processing centres

“Spark” the new product line of the Mandelli processing centres from Piacenza in Lombardy. The Mandelli Sistemi SpA (part of the RIELLO-SISTEMI-group since 2000) processing centres are used to produce a wide range of metal parts and components for many industry branches, such as aluminium gear housings for the automobile industry or steel railway wheels for railway construction. The Wöhner-components in these products guarantee that the systems run safely.

Snow cannons for the Winter Olympics

Piedmontese switchgear manufacturer Vegatec fitted out a pumping station which pumps water for the snow cannons from an artificial lake 2500m above sea level to create snow for the pistes in Turin for the Winter Olympics in 2006 (see page 21). The power distribution of the electrical switching cabinet was implemented using Wöhner busbar technology.

EQUES®-Technology in Use

Simple handling, high variability and more safety – the straight forward product advantages of the latest EQUES® adapter series.

With their consistent new developments in adapter technology, Wöhner continues to enhance system ideas. In the meantime, up to 2,500 A is safely distributed in the 60mm system – and switchgear, device combinations and fuse outgoing terminals are directly connected.

The Weinig Group for example, implements these new developments in their applications. Even their supplier’s components are chosen according to their elegant slogan “Weinig offers more”. Therefore, Wöhner plays the central role in supplying power for control technology. The advantages of Wöhner system technology are especially achieved in highly automated, highperformance solid timber processing machines.

EQUES®-Technology easily and safely combines the switchgear of different providers on busbars. In addition to the versatility and quick assembly, the system’s reliability Wöhner service are decisive factors for using these products.

Furthermore, EQUES®MotorControl technology offers more options in addition to the traditional features of Wöhner adapter technology. Individual switchgear provides quick exchangeability, thus increasing the availability of the system. Busbars remain protected from contact while switchgear is being replaced, allowing parallel terminals to continue to operate.

Space-saving adapter technology is especially convenient even for larger switchgear rated up to 630 A. At Wöhner, the international objectives of our customers are more than a challenge. We also strive to establish our system ideas on the world markets, which continue to move closer and closer together.

Like the worldwide availability of our products, the important approvals necessary for this are a matter of course.

Air conditioning system by Clivet SpA

Air conditioning system by Clivet SpA in Castello Sforzesco, Milan. Clivet SpA from Feltre in Venetia is one of the leading manufacturers of industrial cooling and air conditioning systems. Wöhner's 60 mm busbar system is used especially in the “Roof Top” series switching cabinets, to guarantee safe power supply to the large coolant pumps in particular.

Technology for automotive industry “SECUR®PowerLiner”

Coburg – Technology for Automobiles: Worldwide the Brose Group equips more than 30 brands of automobiles with components and systems for automotive doors and seats directly or through seat manufactures.

The Brose Group is the leading manufacturer of window controls and door systems worldwide with an annual production of around 75 million units. Brose holds the leading position in Europe for automotive seat adjustment systems. In addition, Brose is the second largest provider for locking systems in Germany.

Since 1955, the Brose Group has experienced annual growth almost in the double digits and on average doubled their revenue every five years. From 1995 to 2001 alone, the company created around 1,700 new jobs in Germany and abroad.

In recent years, the Brose Group has developed a new corporate image for their manufacturing and management buildings all over the world. The facades and interior of new and existing buildings were designed according to uniform material and colour concepts in order to externally present the company’s demands: The highest standards regarding innovation, cost-effectiveness, system and quality all over the world.

Wöhner busbar systems and components are used for distributing electricity. Brose uses the SECUR®PowerLiner that offers a unique combination of secure switching in a space-saving design. The SECUR®PowerLiner provides greater safety and is an example of the innovative developments from Wöhner: complete shock protection in all switching positions, spring-controlled contacts for quick, operator- independent switching and safer power supply by the established 60-mm bus bar system.

The D0 fuses in these switch disconnectors are held in drawers. Therefore, this contact is also operatorindependent and the screw cap must not be manually turned. Regarding the SECUR®PowerLiner’s cost-effectiveness, Wöhner customers praise the patented locking mechanism on the various busbar systems and the easily accessible and operable outgoing terminals.

Processing line by Fabio Perini SpA

Processing line for toilet and kitchen paper, TIME700 model by Fabio Perini SpA (Körber PaperLink GmbH group). Fabio Perini SpA provides system solutions for the tissue processing industry and is located in Tuscany. The international companies in the Körber PaperLink GmbH group are global leading providers of innovative system solutions for all production processes from cutting through processing to packaging fine papers and cardboard, and the production of rolled, folded and hygiene products. Here also, Wöhner products are largely used.

Wöhner products in the Kunsthaus gallery in Graz – UFO Landing

In 2003, Graz, the state capital of Styria situated on the river Mur, was European Cultural Capital. In honour of the event, Graz gave itself a present of the new gallery. The architectural landmark is also known as the "friendly alien" – the biologically shaped building has an otherworldly atmosphere, especially when illuminated at night.

A Europe-wide competition was announced for the design of the new gallery, which was won by English star architects Peter Cook and Colin Fournier.

In addition to its conspicuous overall bubble shape, the many short antennae which protrude from the surface (skin) are the key features of the building. These so called nozzles face north and are designed to capture optimal daylight for the upper exhibition areas.

The "skin" itself consists of over 1300 differently cut, bent and transparent blue dyed acrylic glass plates. They form the building shell, which measures approx. 4800m2. The total structure is the product of a three-dimensional data model, architecture from a computer.

Visitors gain access via the "Iron House", a protected neighbouring building with the oldest cast-iron structure in Central Europe. This creates an exciting interplay of traditional and futuristic architecture.

The external shell of the gallery on the side facing the river Mur forms an "urban monitor". Over 900 ring-shaped fluorescent tubes allow roughly rastered images and texts to be displayed.

The unusual architecture also makes considerable demands on the building automation system. Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, light etc. are generated via LON bus technology.

A central monitoring system and remote maintenance system allow these systems to be displayed.

HGA Haus- und Gebäudeautomation GmbH was responsibly for the delivery and installation of 17 switching cabinets which contain the high-power system and the control unit for the Gallery in Graz.

Wöhner products guarantee reliable distribution and protection of the electrical systems and the power supply. The decisive factors in being awarded the commission were the product and delivery quality and the service provided by Wöhner and their partners.

Wöhner products secure Europe's longest subterranean road

On the A9, the Pyhrn motorway from Sattledt to the border crossing at Spielfeld, 35km of the 206km of roads run through 16 tunnels. The longest, the Plabutsch Tunnel, with a length of 10km, is also Europe's longest twin-channel road tunnel.

It crosses the western mountain ridge of Graz and leads to the connecting roads between the Balkan countries and Central Europe. The tunnel was first built with just one channel and opened in 1987. Construction work began on the second channel in July 1999. On December 17th 2004, the completed Plabutsch Tunnel was opened to traffic.

This modern system requires complex technology to achieve the highest safety standard possible in the subterranean construction. For the first time, a fume detector system was used in a tunnel for early fire warnings. Special fire extinguishing motorcycles were developed for emergency action during traffic jams.

Great demands were also made on the electrical and safety technology. The control technology and NS switchgear were designed by RWE solutions. Schrack Energietechnik was commissioned to deliver the electrotechnical components of the switchgear. Wöhner Ges.mbH products made up the majority of the components and systems. For Wöhner as an innovation leader in busbar technology, the topics of safety, quality, efficiency and flexibility are top priority.

Johannes Götz, head of RWE's production and assembly divisions, had the following to say about cooperating with Wöhner: "Due to our high quality and security demands, we decided to use Wöhner products. In addition to the product range, the support and consultation in the pre-project phase convinced us".

Wöhner GmbH & Co. KG
Elektrotechnische Systeme
Mönchrödener Str. 10
96472 Rödental
Germany

 

 

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