Holemasters has undertaken one of its most ambitious Diamond Wire Sawing projects to date. The company has been contracted to slice up an old German U boat, nemesis of Allied ships during World War Two.
The boat, which sunk in 1945, was recovered from the Kattegat between Denmark and Sweden in 1993. The sub was then brought to Liverpool by Mersey Travel to turn it into a tourist attraction at the Woodside Ferry Terminal.
Holemasters was tasked with cutting the ship into five sections for relocation and display purposes.The initial problem was cutting through the numerous layers of steel work which made up the ballast tanks and pressure vessel. Holemasters proposed a Diamond Wire Sawing scheme to cut the massive cross section accurately and cost effectively.
The conning tower and anti-aircraft gun were removed first via plasma cutting. Once all debris and the submarine’s oil tanks were drained, cutting could commence.
Consultants Brian Hannaby and Associates agreed the cut locations which were marked out by Holemasters engineers.
The bespoke wire sawing equipment was then set up. The diamond impregnated wire was fed around the area to be cut using a series of drive pulleys. These were joined with special crimps. The cutting could now commence with accuracy by Holemasters’ skilled operatives.
Diamond Wire Sawing
Holemasters handles projects for some of the biggest multi- national organisations in the UK. The company works out of five operations located in the South East, Midlands and the North. Using its own flexible and bespoke range of equipment, Holemasters provides exceptional concrete excavation and diamond drilling services. The company prides itself in the expert application of diamond drilling, robotic demolition,piling and repair technologies. It can also work with every type of construction material. The company’s service is delivered by a team of 14 technical experts and over 50 trained operators. Holemasters is also a specialist in the nuclear industry with a dedicated Sellafield workforce. The company is also the only approved UK Company supplying and fitting rail track anchors.
