REFERENCES
YOUR REQUIREMENTS AND IDEAS – OUR CHALLENGE AND SOLUTION
Whether at the Olympic Games, during masterful acrobatic displays, on bridges over the abyss and even space travel, we bring to life projects that are far from run-of-the-mill thanks our decades of experience and expertise.
We take up the challenge of your customer-specific requests and develop innovative solutions.
We are pleased to outline for you just some of the projects we have implemented.
DWARF BRIDGE IN KLOSTERS-SERNEUS
We were commissioned by the municipality of Klosters-Serneus, Switzerland, to manufacture and erect a rope bridge for the popular Dwarf Trail. The bridge suspended across a distance of 17.30 m was designed to provide an exciting adventure for young and old alike.
Before the assembly could begin, the bridge, which weighs around 500 kg, was flown to its final destination via helicopter.
The project was realised in cooperation with the planning office Wegmüller Klosters and the company Crestageo Chur. We would like to thank Mr Wegmüller and Mr Baselgia for their excellent collaboration to create this exciting bridge.
Completed in 2020
CROWN CLIMBING FRAME IN KRONBERG
As part of the redevelopment of the Erlebniswelt Kronberg adventure world, we recently installed a giant crown-shaped climbing frame in the newly constructed play area. Given the complex shape of the new climbing frame, intensive prior planning was required to create a crown featuring both climbing nets and other fun elements.
In addition to a long, freely suspended balancing rope, a monkey bar course with 40 elements and a rope course with 20 ropes with climbing supports, we also installed climbing nets with a total area of around 200 m2 in a wide variety of designs.
The new climbing frame was designed and constructed in cooperation with the general contractor pronatour GmbH. We would like to thank Mr Gernot Frank for the excellent collaboration on this truly unique project.
Completed in 2020
PLAYGROUND ATTISHOLZ SITE
A large adventure playground surrounded by Swiss industrial history. On the site of the firm Cellulose Attisholz AG which was founded in 1881, a lively and versatile new living space was created in 2018 following a change of use.
For this unusual playground we manufactured and installed a special rope climbing pyramid and other facilities. With its dimensions of 750 cm in height and a diameter of 1040 cm, this pyramid is a highlight against a unique backdrop and a safe challenge for young and old.
OCEAN YOUTH SAILING “VELLAMO” CATAMARAN
In 2019, following a three-year planning phase, the non-profit association “Ocean Youth Sailing” began the construction of a sea-going high-end catamaran in Switzerland. Following over 20,000 work hours provided by volunteers, the catamaran was first launched on Lake Constance in 2019 and will be transferred to the seas after final testing.
We are proud to be part of this unique project with our rope technology expertise, our high-tech traps and sheets, our patented rope and anchor lines, as well as various custom-made products.
MÜHLEGG FUNICULAR RAILWAY, ST GALL
The traditional Mühlegg funicular railway was built in 1893 and was the first inner-city transport link. It connects the city centre of St Gall with the Saint George quarter located at a higher elevation.
The railway was last renovated and renewed in 2018. The facilities also needed to be brought up to date with the latest fire technology. A rope handrail that would withstand temperatures of 400 °Celsius was required along the entire length of the tunnel so that passengers could be safely guided to outside in an emergency.
We were able to meet these requirements with our solution; the installation of a 16 mm diameter kernmantel rope made of high-quality aramid yarn.
We are proud to support this traditional and oldest inner-city transport link.
ARIANE ROCKET PROGRAMME 4/5
For the separation tests of the Ariane 4 and 5 rockets, a rope/strap capture system was successfully developed which destroys the energy in a controlled manner during the blast-off tests of the rocket casing. These tests were carried out by ESA and Oerlikon Contraves in Cape Canaveral, USA. A computer program was developed especially for this project, which enabled us to calculate the forces and effects occurring on the capture system.
WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES, VANCOUVER
Based on the plans of Hariri Pontarini Architects, Toronto, Nüssli Schweiz AG erected the Olympic Pavilion in Hüttwilen in 2010 with a floor area of 1,400 m² and a height of 10 m.
Around 50,000 m of Betelon rope with a diameter of 8 mm and a wire rope core of 2 mm were manufactured for the undulating pavilion roof structure.
Photo credit and facilitator: NUSSLI Group Hauptstrasse 36, CH-8536 Hüttwilen, www.nussli.com (Andrew Doran Photography)
ST GALL STADIUM
In the stadium of St Gall football club, 4,000 m² of stadium nets were installed in the fan sectors to provide the greatest possible protection for players and spectators. In addition to wear resistance and longevity, the nets also require good transparency between the spectator stands and the pitch to avoid impairing visibility.
In addition, during the building phase of the stadium in 2008, 11,000 m² of fall nets were installed to protect the workers during the construction of the stadium roof.
ROPE-SUPPORTED WORKING METHODS
SWIMMING POOLS AND SLIDES AT SÄNTISPARK
Cleaning and inspection of the 1,000 m long slide network at the Säntispark waterpark in Abtwil, St Gall. Carried out by our specialists for rope-supported works in accordance with the relevant FISAT guidelines.
The rope-assisted access and positioning procedure is always used when work has to be carried out in places that are difficult to access or at significant height.
The rope-assisted access and positioning technology enables work to be carried out in places that would not otherwise be possible, or only using high-cost and material-intensive methods.
ART PROJECT, HOTEL DOLDER ZÜRICH
To implement the “floating rock” art project in the converted Hotel Dolder, a suspension and tension rope with special characteristics was needed. It needed to have high breaking and abrasion resistance as well as be “flame-retardant” (fire code BKZ 4.3). We produced a rope made of Nomex yarn with a diameter of 8 mm and a length of 600 m specifically for this purpose and specified the corresponding suspension points.
TRAVERSINER SUSPENSION BRIDGE, VIAMALE GORGE
A particular challenge, 70 m above the Viamala gorge with a horizontal span of 56 m and a height difference of 22 m, was provided by the Traversiner suspension bridge constructed in 2005. The entire wire rope framework, the corresponding components and the installation of these guy wires and suspension ropes were carried out by our specialists. The bridge continues to be regarded as: impressive, exciting, indescribable and is the winner of a silver medal for architecture.
TUG-OF-WAR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN APPENZELL / LUZERN
On the occasion of the 2012 / 2023 Tug-of-War World Championship, we manufactured 50 custom ropes made from Usatex, with a diameter of 38 mm and a length of 33.5 m. Whilst ropes for this high-power sport used to be made from hemp, we went one step further and made these ropes from Usatex, a polypropylene spun yarn. Ropes made of this material are barely distinguishable from hemp in appearance, and also offer similar grip and hand-friendliness.
Both the athletes and the organisers were won over by these ropes. The Tug-of-War World Championship was a great success and an unforgettable experience in all respects.
ST. JAKOB STADIUM TRAIN STATION
On the occasion of the 2008 European Football Championship, we covered the entire St. Jakobpark stadium train station and the complete length of the platform with textile nets. This is to prevent personal injury and property damage caused by rioting fan groups throwing stones and bottles. In addition, the underpasses near the stadium were protected with horizontal steel nets.
SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES, BARCELONA
The Olympic rings with a diameter of 50 m and a weight per ring of 7,000 kg tower over the stage in the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, and are seemingly freestanding.
To make this possible, we designed a tensioning and holding system that offers safety but with a transparent appearance. This system of wire ropes was manufactured and installed by us in 1992 for the forthcoming summer games.
THE CERN PARTICLE ACCELERATOR IN GENEVA
When it comes to energy and particle collisions, the Large Hadron Collider at the CERN Nuclear Research Centre in Geneva in Switzerland is the world’s most powerful particle accelerator. We developed a high-performance cord made of highly modular material for the calibration of the machine’s magnets. More than 20,000 metres of this cord have already been successfully installed in the accelerator.
HIGH-WIRE ARTISTE, FREDDY NOCK:
“THE SKY IS THE LIMIT”
With this motto in mind, Freddy Nock set another world record in the Upper Engadine glacier area in 2015.
Freddy Nock relied on the expertise and limitless rope technology of the Seilfabrik Ullmann AG for this record at an altitude of over 3,500 m and a distance of 347 m.
We are pleased to continue supporting Freddy with our specialised knowledge and products in his further daring enterprises.