China produces the world’s most powerful hydraulic cylinders

China produces a giant cylinder for large pile-driving ships involved in maritime infrastructure projects, with a maximum thrust of 5,000 tons, enough to lift 1,000 adult African elephants at the same time. The cylinder model independently developed by China for the first time is the largest and most powerful in the world, leaving the production line in Changzhou, Jiangsu province, on October 22, according to Interesting Engineering.

The development of a cylinder model used to build foundations for marine engineering projects means that China has mastered the core technology to produce super-large and super-long cylinders. China, the world’s second largest economy, is pursuing a strategy of strengthening its maritime power, focusing on manufacturing high-end equipment and promoting technological development. Large pile driving vessels play an essential role in building infrastructure for river or ocean crossings and installing deep-sea wind power facilities.

28 meters long and nearly 2 meters in diameter, this hydraulic cylinder is as tall as a 10-story building. Developed by Chinese company Communications Construction (CCCC), the device is designed to power a 150m long pile driving vessel currently in production.

Previously, Chinese companies lagged behind many of the world’s leading companies in the design and production of large hydraulic cylinders. They used to rely entirely on imports of key components such as seals and erosion-resistant materials.

The new cylinder-equipped pile driver will be used later this year in the construction of the Hengzhou Bay sea-crossing railway bridge, which will become the world’s longest high-speed sea-crossing railway bridge when completed. Future applications of the technology include large offshore drilling rigs and wind power facility construction. This is the result of cooperation between several companies in the field of new materials and smart manufacturing.

In July, a marine engineering alliance was established in Beijing. Their main focus is on building and operating maritime transport infrastructure, building wind and solar power facilities, protecting and regenerating coastal areas, building island reefs and protecting ecosystems. ecology, deep-sea pipeline installation.