SIMI Installs 324t Generator with Strand Jacks

SIMI has completed the installation of a 324-ton steam generator at a power plant in Northern Italy using a strand jack lifting solution from Enerpac.

Faced with a constrained layout and no overhead crane, SIMI deployed four Enerpac HSL 20006 units, each with a 200-tonne capacity, mounted on a translation roller system. The generator was lifted 16 metres before being side-shifted 14 metres into its final position.

To support the operation, SIMI engineered a custom steel framework to provide the required elevation and stability for the strand jacks. This bespoke setup ensured precise control throughout the lift and transfer phases.

“Executing a lift of this magnitude within an existing facility required meticulous planning,” a SIMI spokesperson said. “The strand jack system combined with translation rollers enabled controlled movement and millimetric positioning of the steam generator.”

Strand jacks function as linear winches, using bundles of steel strands that are gripped and released in sequence by hydraulic cylinders. This allows heavy loads to be lifted incrementally with a high level of precision, making them particularly suited for confined or complex lifting environments.