Large louvres create a pleasant working climate
From the end of this year Hilti Aktiengesellschaft will be carrying out all of its logistics activities from its new logistics centre in Nendeln. The company, which is known for its hammer drills, has invested around 40 million Euro in this project. The greatest challenge for the construction management lay in the glass facades on the east and west sides, which were to be flooded with light and climate-controlled, as well as having to meet high optical requirements. But these functional aspects were accompanied by a factor which made the challenge for the construction managers harder – the particular location of the new logistics centre. Nendeln is located in the Rhine valley in Liechtenstein, where the effect of the Föhn creates high static wind loads on the building.
Inspired combination of functionality and optics
For the glass fronts the planners have implemented a sun protection solution consisting of large louvres, which use sensors to move automatically in accordance with the position of the sun. elero Linearantriebstechnik has supplied the linear actuators (Econom 0) for this automated system, supported by Meimo AG, the Swiss general importer of elero products which is also responsible for Liechtenstein. The overall design of the system, which consists of transom/mullion facades and windows combined with the Schüco SunControl large louvre system, together with the linear actuators and control system, was provided by Jansen AG. Due to the high load of 3,000 Newton each, only twelve linear actuators were necessary for around 400 large louvres. Using these, the efficient Econom system accurately positions the louvres, which weigh 5.4 kilogrammes and are 2,400 millimetres long, to achieve preset temperatures. This creates not only the optimum light and climate conditions, but also a consistent appearance for the facades, as the louvres are arranged exactly parallel to each other. The mechanical self-locking system of the electric linear actuators holds the sun protection louvres in place even under high wind loads.
Despite the weather
As the east and west fronts are exposed to particularly severe weather conditions, Jansen AG designed 360-millimetre-deep slimline louvres especially for the Hilti logistics centre. In addition to these louvres, made of weather-resistant aluminium, the Econom 0 also meets the demands caused by weather conditions: This linear actuator in a stainless steel housing is water-resistant, rustproof and protected against corrosion so as to be ideally suited to external use. With the clever combination of weather-resistant design, climate regulation and daylighting the architects have come up with a solution for the glass facades which will stand up to any weather.
Around 400 louvres protect the east and west fronts of the Hilti logistics centre from sun, wind and weather. Source: Jansen
The Econom weather-resistant linear actuator in use: This ensures the exact positioning of the large sun protection louvres. Source: Jansen
elero Linearantriebstechnik based in Poessneck (Thuringia) is a subsidiary of elero GmbH and thus part of the Günther Group. The company which was founded in 1995 develops, manufactures and markets electric push rod actuators. elero Linearantriebstechnik also profits from over 40 years of experience from the mother company elero GmbH in the fields of drive and control technologies. 100 employees in Poessneck push the envelope of linear actuator technology thus ensuring sustained growth.
