We Put A Printer Through A Window!
Architects Orange receives another PageWide XL
On Saturday, 08/19/17 Crisp Imaging successfully installed a PageWide 4000 XL at AO’s building 144 location. This was to be their second such piece of equipment but this time it would be no easy task!
Given the size of the printer, there were only a few options for bringing the XL into the company’s 2nd story space, all of which required some type of demo to the existing structure. Some options included, cutting out sections of steel stairway banister, removing wall sections and even demoing an entryway! After a few discussions, it was agreed upon that removing a window and coming straight in from the outside was the least costly and most efficient. However, this would still be quite challenging.
The building is a historic landmark and would require several approvals just to remove the window which was believed to possibly be an original part of the structure. Additional challenges included getting this done before the business located below the point of entry was open as we would be blocking their entrance. For safety purposes we needed to have as few pedestrians in the area while not allowing anyone within a 30 foot radius that was not authorized.
The folks at AO were able to remove the upper and lower windows with little to no damage and once this was done, it was Crisp’s turn to perform! California Survey and Drafting Supply hooked us up with local moving company, Dunkel Brothers and together we began the process of planning and execution of hoisting the XL and placing the machine through the window and into its new home.
Slow and steady wins the race!
At 6am Saturday morning, we put our plans into action. The printer would have to be removed from its shipping crate and exposed to the outside world leaving no protection to damage. Furthermore, we would have attach it to a forklift in a manner that would be stable while still allowing manual movement for quick adjustments in an emergency. We prepped the XL and with a deep inhale, began to lift our forks. Slowly the machine began to rise, strapped to our forklift with the forks inverted and ten foot extensions attached. Occasionally swaying, you could hear the steel and straps strain to the tension and the hydraulics groan against the 1204 pound load. With the clock ticking, we slowly hoisted the behemoth toward the sky taking care not to make contact with the canopy jutting out directly below the window coming within inches of the cloth as we continued on toward our intended target. As we reached the opening, the mass of machinery dangled from steel tines and fibrous straps like a large meatball clinging to spaghetti noodles hanging from a dinner fork. The hydraulics of the forklift grunted and whined as it began to extend forward moving the XL through the tight window opening. Less than one inch clearance on either side of the widow frame meant that there was no room for error or swinging as we inched forward. The “Riggers” called out clearances and movement instructions to each other like a well choreographed sports play while I held my breath and tried not to imagine any number of disasters that could happen.
We made it!
Once past the window frame, it was time to gently set the machine down on second story floor. Heavy, 3/4 inch thick plywood was put down to protect the tile floor. With no line of sight, the forklift operator began lowering the XL blindly with only the commands of his ”Rigger” counterpart to guide him. As the machine made contact with the plywood, every manner of creaks could be heard as the wood began adjusting to the pressure of the leviathan resting atop and settling in place. There was a great and sudden exhale in the room as if the Santa Ana winds had come rushing in. We had risen to meet this monumental challenge and successfully won the day…
Bring on the next one!
