Application: Wave and Tidal Testing Facility – Movable Pool Floor System
Customer: David Leading Industry Co., Ltd.
Location: Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
Hoist Model: (4) Columbia HU9600-3A17-L-01 W/AALS AC Electric Hoists
Performance:
- Line Pull: 9,600 pounds on the first layer
- Line Speed: 4.4 feet per minute on the first layer
- Power Source: 380 VAC / Three Phase / 50 Hz
Special Features:
- Synchronized VFD controls with operator station
- Columbia AutoAdvance Line Spooler (AALS)
- Protective epoxy paint coating
- Precision synchronization to ±5mm tolerance across all units
Why APPI
The Maritime Technology Innovation Center (MTIC) in Taiwan represents a significant advancement in offshore engineering research. This state-of-the-art Formosa Ocean Basin facility needed a specialized wave pool hoist system capable of raising and lowering the pool floor to simulate real-life wind, wave, and tidal conditions for testing renewable energy devices and underwater engineering concepts.
David Leading Industry Co., Ltd., selected as the primary provider for this groundbreaking testing facility, faced a unique engineering challenge: designing a pool floor lift system that could operate with extreme precision while handling substantial loads. David Hu, engineer at David Leading Industry, led an extensive evaluation process, researching web resources and consulting with numerous vendors worldwide to identify the optimal solution.
After thorough analysis, David Leading Industry chose to partner with Allied Power Products, Inc. (APPI) to engineer a synchronized hoist system specifically designed for the demanding requirements of wave and tidal testing operations.
The collaborative effort resulted in a system centered around four Columbia HU9600 AC electric hoists, precisely engineered for this application.
Key features of this jointly developed wave pool hoist system include:
- Ultra-precise synchronization – All four hoists operate within ±5mm tolerance, essential for maintaining level pool floor movement during testing protocols.
- Variable frequency drive controls – Integrated operator station allows precise speed management, maintaining speeds below 1 foot per minute as required for controlled testing conditions.
- Columbia AutoAdvance Line Spooler – Ensures consistent wire rope spooling regardless of load position, critical for long-term reliability in continuous operation.
- Marine-grade protection – Epoxy paint coating helps protect equipment in the humid, corrosive environment typical of wave testing facilities.
- Coordinated control system – Custom operator interface enables simultaneous operation of all four hoists, essential for proof-of-concept testing of renewable energy devices.
This custom-designed system offers MTIC and the broader marine research community several benefits:
- Accurate simulation of ocean conditions for offshore engineering research
- Reliable performance in demanding test cycles
- Precise control for renewable energy device evaluation
- Support for advancing Taiwan’s maritime technology capabilities
By implementing APPI’s Columbia wave pool hoist system, David Leading Industry has delivered a critical component for Taiwan’s premier maritime testing facility. The system’s precision engineering and robust construction, tailored to the specific requirements identified through collaborative planning, ensure safe and accurate operations for advancing offshore and underwater engineering research.
For more information about this wave pool hoist system or any of APPI’s other specialized products and services, please get in touch with Allied Power Products, Inc. With over 40 years of experience in providing winches, hoists, capstans, and cranes tailored to specific application requirements, APPI continues to be a trusted partner in marine research and testing industries.
