Stabilizing offshore wind towers: the challenge of installation in the marine environment
Wind energy is one of the most promising solutions for the energy transition, but installing wind towers in open seas presents unique engineering challenges. Waves, currents, and wind exert immense forces on structures, making the stabilization of the foundation during installation crucial. Thanks to high-pressure hydraulic cylinders and special control units, Europress provides advanced systems for leveling and securing during the transportation of offshore wind towers. Our systems allow for: – Lifting and precisely positioning the wind tower base. – Compensating for misalignments to ensure secure anchoring. – Operating in hostile marine environments, thanks to materials treated against corrosion such as Nitreg Onc and special certified coatings for marine use.
Federtec Economic Day
We attended FEDERTEC Economic Day, and we would like to thank @FEDERTEC for the accurate and in-depth analysis of the Fluid Power sector’s performance. Macroeconomic projections and the scenario outlined by Confindustria’s Research Center suggest a potential rebound for the industry, driven by technological innovation, automation, and the energy transition. Looking forward to the next update on market trends and industrial strategies on April 2nd.
Shipbuilding
In shipbuilding, the correct alignment of plates before welding is essential to avoid deformations and ensure strong joints. During assembly, sections must be securely and controllably fixed, avoiding mechanical stress that could compromise the structure of the vessel. The spring-return pulling hydraulic cylinders of the CMT#N series (steel) and CMT#L series (aluminum) offer controlled traction and secure clamping, ensuring uniform tightening without overloading the material. Their design allows for high load capacity operations and gradual tension release, preventing structural damage. Compact and lightweight, they are perfect for assembly, alignment, and temporary clamping operations in naval construction processes, even in the confined spaces of shipyards.
Speed Skating Milano Cortina 2026
Intervention carried out at the exhibition areas of Fiera Milano Rho that will host the Speed Skating rink for the next Milan – Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games. 6 COF series hollow jacks – 100 tons capacity were used for lifting and positioning operations, by means Dywidag bars, of new metal support structures weighing 300 tons, these beams will allow the transfer of the load that currently weighs on the pillars to be removed. The aim of the work is to unify pavilions 13 and 15, adjacent to each other, in a single space, for a total of 35 thousand square meters of covered area.
Why does Europress have an internal painting area?
In our sector, many companies prefer to outsource painting to reduce costs and complexity of production departments. Europress, however, has chosen a different solution. The latest generation automated powder and liquid painting system, internal to our factory, is a strategic choice. It allows us to control every phase of production, maintaining high quality standards and fast delivery times. Being able to do the painting in-house means being able to respond flexibly to customer needs, without depending on external suppliers. A decision that required a commitment of economic and human resources, but which guarantees the quality and reliability that distinguish our brand. Europress does not choose the easiest way, it chooses the best one.
Europress jacking installation for maintenance of Dutch infrastructure structures
HyPower supplied a special jacking installation to a client who specializes in the infrastructure maintenance, which was designed entirely according to the wishes of this client. In this case, the customer required a hydraulic system to lift a bridge. Precise control of the jacks was needed to avoid damage to the structure, moreover other important requirements were ease of use and quick parameters adjustment. An additional challenge was that the number of jacks to be controlled per jacking group would not always be the same. Together, Europress and HyPower have designed a central control unit for this purpose, which controls the jacks and the individual HPUs that activate and control the three cylinder-groups independently of each other. Each HPU has its own frequency controller on the central control unit, which can vary the flow rate to each cylinder-group by approximately 60% using an easy-to-use potentiometer. The system consists of: – a battery of 100-ton locknut-cylinders with a low construction height CGR series, – a central control unit with three 3/3-way manual valves, adjustable return valves, pressure gauges and frequency controllers, – various distribution hoses and distribution blocks – three HPUs that are controlled from the manually operated central control unit HyPower is our official Distributor for The Netherlands.
How to choose the right hydraulic pump
It is necessary to have two essential information: the reservoir capacity and the required cylinder extension speed. These data, combined with the characteristics of the cylinder or tool to be operated, together with the type of application, are essential to ensure the correct functioning of the entire system. Reservoir capacity: After having selected the cylinder/tool to be operated and determined the oil volume required for the stroke, it is good practice to consider a 20% margin, not forgetting to add an additional 32 cm³ for each linear meter of DN6 hydraulic hose used. For double-acting cylinders, subtract the return volume (which flows to the reservoir during extension) from the volume required for full advancement, also in this case consider a 20% margin. Single-stage pumps (PN13#, PNP13#, PS1####): for small tonnage cylinders or short strokes. Two-stage pumps (PN14#): for medium tonnage cylinders and medium-long strokes, excellent compromise between cost and performance. Two-stage pumps (PN16#): ideal for high tonnage cylinders and long strokes, maximum performance. Two-stage pumps (PN26#): suitable for most double-acting cylinders (pay attention to the oil volume required). Choosing the right pump means ensuring safety, efficiency and performance. The pump selection tables provide an essential reference to avoid overloads and maximize the life of the system. Engineering is a precision science, and we at Europress are at your technicians‘ side to offer optimized, reliable and long-lasting solutions.
Transition Plan 5.0: incentives for innovation and sustainability in hydraulics
The Ministry of Business and Made in Italy has launched the Transition Plan 5.0, allocating 6.3 billion euros for the two-year period 2024-2025. This plan aims to support the digital and ecological transformation of Italian companies, offering tax credits for investments in capital goods that reduce energy consumption and promote self-production of energy from renewable sources. In this scenario, hydraulics can carve out a leading role: the adoption of innovative hydraulic systems not only improves energy efficiency, but also contributes to more sustainable production. How do you think our sector can best exploit these opportunities?
UMP – The Epp Universal Hydraulic Lifter
The Europress UMP universal hydraulic lifter combines small size, precision and reliability. It is one of our best-known products in the mechanical industrial maintenances, shipbuilding, rope transport ans mining sectors: a compact jack complete with cylinder and hand pump made of steel and aluminium, which can be used in any working position thanks to the special rubber tank. It is equipped with an integrated safety pressure valve to avoid overloads and supplied with a protection ring, pushing saddle and a lifting toe that can be completely screwed on. The load can be lifted either on the bracket or on the head or on the lifting toe using the accessories (eyelefts and nipples). The UMP is not affected by harsh environment and complex applications. With a lifting force of 5 tons, a useful stroke of 150 mm and a steel and aluminium structure, it is designed to work in tight spaces without performance compromise. Key features: – Stroke per pump: 1.3 mm | Lever effort: 275 N – Integrated safety valve against overloads – Operating temperature: -30°C to +60°C – Total weight: 9.3 kg All the details here
Europress hydraulic technology for viaduct construction
Europress is supplying hydraulic launching equipment with threaded bars for the construction of the Tre Vescovi viaduct in Casacastalda (Valfabbrica, Perugia), a key infrastructure project along the Perugia-Ancona highway. Our systems have been used to support operations in two main phases: For the pushing activities at abutment: 2 power packs 700 bar remote controlled and 4 hollow cylinders for a total of 600 tons and 600 mm stroke To correct deflection when the launching nose reaches the pier: 1 radio-controlled split-flow powerpack and 2 cylinders for a total of 700 tons in push and 400 in pull. The section to be built, including two new tunnels, is approximately 3 km long. The works, entrusted to Castaldo SpA, involve the construction of a second carriageway alongside the existing one, openedto traffic in 2016 as a variant of the old road route. The works are scheduled to be completed by 2025 and represent an important step forward in improving mobility in the Umbria region.