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5 Star Larges It!
5 Star Cases has just completed the design and build of a specialist flight case for PSCo to house the world’s largest plasma screen.
At 103 inches on the diagonal, the Panasonic TH-103 proved to be a challenge for 5 Star’s design team – but nothing they couldn’t handle. After close consultation with PSCo, two cases were delivered to the exacting specification.
The plasma screen weighs in at a massive 220kg – a factor taken into account when designing the case.
PSCo had a number of requests for 5 Star relating to the transportation and handling of the equipment.
Although only a slim 130mm wide, the width of the case was set at 650mm to ensure stability. The TH-103 does not include the usual grab handles featured on smaller plasma units, instead, three removable lifting eyelets are provided along the top edge of the screen – available for general hoisting.
However, with the size and delicacy of the screen PSCo required a different approach to handling. Key to the case design was that it could accommodate a specialist manual hydraulic hoist (similar to a small fork lift truck) – that picks up the 103” screen from the front, enabling it to be directly mounted onto a wall bracket.
To achieve this, 5 Star used its specialist 3D software, Solid Edge, to produce a real-time virtual case so they could get the design just right.
As the Panasonic screen couldn’t be lifted directly under its bottom edge, 5 Star produced a special aluminium box section frame to support it. This TIG welded structure, also designed in Solid Edge, forms the backbone of the case, providing a strong, lightweight frame in which the screen sits. This entire structure is positioned on top of a rubber shock-mounted panel for transportation.
A low split base, as in 5 Star’s Super Tour specification case, enables the lift to pick up the screen at a relatively low level. This was achieved by designing a hinged flap along the front edge of the case. Due to the sheer size of the flight case, a split lid design was also incorporated which can be removed by just two people.
Although the screen is offset in the case, a wide wheelbase ensures stability while in transit – made necessary due to the protrusion of the wall-mounting bracket. It’s held securely in the aluminium structure and foam support blocks are also fitted into the lid sections for additional protection whilst on the move. Once the lids are removed and the front flap is hinged down, the lift tines are positioned in line with two aluminium box sections on the frame. The hydraulic lift then raises the aluminium structure and 103” screen and once clear, the base of the case is wheeled away. The lift then raises the screen to the desired height and is moved towards its wall bracket for fixing.
With the aluminium frame merely supporting the 103” screen, once the plasma is hung on the wall bracket, the lift can be lowered clear and returned to the flight case.
Stuart Holmes, Managing Director of PSCo says; “We have an excellent, long term relationship with 5 Star and have worked alongside them to produce specialist cases for a number of our products, including the 84” (plasma screen), that needed a specialist lift stand. The 103” goes that much further in requiring fully mechanised lifting – because of its sheer size and dimensions. As the official support partner for the 103” screen for Panasonic, these cases are an instrumental part of us being able to service both the rental and installation markets and with 5 Star’s support we were ready on time, for the first installation of the product in a flagship John Lewis store.”
5 Star’s Phil Lawrence added: “This project was particularly challenging, due the sheer size, delicacy and weight of the Panasonic screen. However, with the facilities now at our disposal, we can show clients it’s not just about ‘building boxes!’”
In picture with the case/screen is Stuart Holmes (MD PSCo) on the right, with Richard Keegan (Operation Manager) on the left.
5th January 2007
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