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Moog Signs 5 Year System Service and Support Contract with SCX Special Projects

Supports Moog’s Electric Motion Control System for Wimbledon Centre Court Retractable Roof

31 May 2011

Moog Industrial Group has signed a new 5 year contract with SCX Special Projects, Sheffield, UK to continue its support of the motion control system for the Wimbledon Centre Court Retractable Roof, London until August 2015. The new service and support contract is managed by Moog’s operation based in Tewkesbury, UK.

Since the installation of the retractable roof in 2009, Moog’s motion control system has helped ensure uninterrupted play during all weather for tennis fans worldwide throughout the 2009 and 2010 Wimbledon Championships.  The new contract is now set to continue this successful run until 2015. Brian Sims, Services Manager, Moog Tewkesbury comments: “Although the roof was originally designed to ensure continuous play during wet weather, since commissioning it has been used significantly as shading against the sun, and so preventative maintenance is crucial.”

The scope of the work agreed covers six main elements: Management of Spare Parts to support the installed base, Site Maintenance Services, Actuator Servicing, Engineering Support (both on and off site), Championship Support and Software Support.   Moog anticipates servicing two actuators a month including the following processes: testing against original benchmarks, complete stripping of the motor and gearbox, removal of the front flange to examine and replace front wiper and seals, examination of the ball screw, re-testing and repainting. This is part of Moog’s service offerings called Moog Global Support™ which includes repair services using OEM parts performed by Moog trained technicians to the latest specifications, as well as maintenance programs such as the multiyear contract provided to SCX Special Projects.

Kevin Mooney, Sales Manager, Moog Tewkesbury says:  “The roof was designed with long life and low maintenance in mind, and one aspect of the service which we provide is remote condition monitoring (RCM).  This allows us to monitor and measure elements such as electric voltages, currents and positions of the roof against the parameters set in the system, all through our web portal.”

In addition to remotely monitoring the roof, Moog sends engineers to Wimbledon on a regular basis to test the roof and software.   The engineers, who have the enviable task of being in attendance for the entire Wimbledon championship, have access to a full range of spares which can be called upon within 2 hours during a championship, and 24 hours when there are no championships.  

Mooney continues: “Our dedication to this project involves the highest level of human and engineering support from Moog in the UK and from our international colleagues to provide product and technical support. The scope of the project has meant we have built and maintained an excellent working relationship with SCX Special Projects, which is underlined with this new service contract.”    

Daniel Salthouse, Project Manager, SCX Special Projects, adds: “A close working relationship with Moog, developed during the initial design stages, has enabled us to provide a maintenance plan tailored precisely to the needs of the system. This partnership approach with one of our most valued suppliers means that the Wimbledon roof receives an all-encompassing service package to ensure a trouble free, long service life.”

Technical Information

Moog were originally commissioned by SCX Special Projects in 2005 to provide the electric motion control incorporating 148 axes of control to move 10 trusses each weighing 100 tonnes (1,102 US tonnes), using Moog servo actuators, servo motors, servo controllers and servo drives with the support of Fairfield Controls, Nottingham, UK to deliver the supervisory and data acquisition system.

About SCX Special Projects

SCX Special Projects are part of the SCX Group of Companies. Originally set up in 1972 to supply the service, repair and spare parts for sister company Street Crane, the SCX Group has evolved to become a leading specialist mechanical handling solutions provider; from specialist lifting equipment and bespoke crane installations, through crane servicing, maintenance, repairs, refurbishment and breakdown support, down to the spare parts and electrical components to drive your machinery.  SCX Special Projects tackles the more challenging problems faced in engineering to produce bespoke handling solutions at the client's specification.  For more information please visit www.scx.co.uk.

Photo Caption: Moog Engineer in Tewkesbury servicing one of the Wimbledon End Arm Actuators

Photo Caption: Moog Brushless Servo Motors in situ on the roof, being used to push the retractable roof along rails

See Also:

Wimbledon Retractable Roof Project Overview

Industrial Service Overview

Electric Actuators Overview

SCX Special Projects Website

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