CONGRATULATIONS BRITISH ENERGY TEAM
08/06/2010


The project undertaken by Hunterston B, British Energy, involved the repair and refurbishment of a Victorian printing press, known as a Columbian press, for Dalgarven Mill.

Seven third year Apprentices took part in the project namely, Thomas Cowell, Grant Weir, Kevin Kelly, Stephen Ramsay, David Atherton, Anthony Boyle and Sean Wall.

Each Apprentice was given a number of varying roles and responsibilities which encouraged the team to work together to achieve the goal.

The first task in repairing the press was, of course, ascertaining what state it was in. The press had been left in pieces in an old storage room in Dalgarven mill for over twenty years. Over this time various components had been damaged and all components were coated in a thick layer of rust.

Once it had been worked out exactly what repair work would have to be done, the Team then had to work out how to transport the sizeable press to Hunterston. The process of moving it involved the use of slings and ratchet straps, but once the press was moved the repair process could begin.

Work areas had to be prepared at Hunterston, and the storage room and turbine group workshop was selected. It then had to be worked out how the dust could be removed from the press, with the decision being to use a combination of grinding and acid to get the dust off, and then re-coating the press in black paint.

Various individual components of the press were also in need of repair or replacement including the canvas sheet, which was damp and torn, pulley belts, which were replaced with nylon belts, and various wooden items.

Over and above the repair of the press the apprentices decided that the press should sit on a plinth, and therefore the team created one, which was no small task as the press weighed over 1.25 tonnes. A photo-frame bracket was also added to include digital photographs of the repair work carried out.

Once the repair and replacement process was complete, the press was re-constructed, which took two days to complete.

The Team found the project very rewarding and challenging, enjoying it throughout its progression from beginning to end. The Team also highlighted all the advice and help they received during the project and how invaluable it was.

The press itself will be the centre piece of a new exhibition at Dalgarven Mill.

Author: L Craig
Source: ABIC

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