Europa Levage has provided several overhead cranes fitted with Verlinde Eurobloc VF hoists for the construction of the new Aerospacelab satellite manufacturing facility in Charleroi, Belgium.
The equipment installed includes synthetic lifting cable and crane control systems designed to support the demands of satellite production.
Each crane at the site is equipped with a synthetic wire rope hoist, variable frequency drives, an inclinometer, and encoders integrated with a programmable logic controller (PLC).
Among the features included are a “Follow-Me” function, which allows operators to guide the vacuum hook for faster and more precise movements, and a “Hook Centering” function, which positions the hoist directly above the load prior to lifting.
It also includes a “Snag Prevention” function, which halts operation if an abnormal angle is detected and recentres the hoist before resuming work.
These functions are intended to support accuracy and safety in a clean manufacturing environment.
Aerospacelab’s satellite “megafactory,” currently under construction, is set to become Europe’s largest such facility and the third-largest globally.
The Charleroi plant will have the capacity to produce up to 500 satellites per year, manufacturing units ranging from 150kg to 1t in size.
The facility will cover a total area of 20,000m2, including a 7,000m2 production zone and 4,000m2 of cleanroom.
The overall investment for the facility is reported at €100m ($113m), with the opening scheduled for this year.
The project is being supported by €37.5m in venture debt financing from the European Investment Bank, backed by InvestEU, aimed at supporting research and development in satellite technology.
According to Aerospacelab, the funding will be used to expand its satellite platform and payload offerings for applications covering telecommunications and earth observation.
Europa Levage, based in Verlaine, Belgium, specialises in the design, manufacture, installation, and maintenance of cranes and lifting systems.
The company represents Verlinde components in Belgium and is part of the Europont network, supplying cranes to European standards.
