Reliable Connections for Alpine Roller Coasters

Action-packed alpine roller coasters provide thrills for riders but regularly put background technology to the test. To ensure the safety and reliability of every ride around the globe, Wiegand, the specialists for leisure attractions, rely on robust, weather-resistant connection solutions from HELU. Cables provide their systems with power, control, and communication, even under the harshest of outdoor conditions.

You fasten your seatbelt, grip the lever, and off you go through curves, dips, and a brief moment of weightlessness. The speeds of the twists and turns of alpine roller coasters provide riders with a full-throttle jolt of adrenaline that leaves most grinning from ear to ear by the time they pull into the station. For the manufacturers, only one thing matters: maximum reliability for every ride, in all weather conditions, and at any location.

This is what the family company Josef Wiegand GmbH & CO. KG has stood for since the 1970s when they began developing and constructing leisure attractions such as alpine roller coasters and both dry and wet slides in the German city of Rasdorf. Today, the company has established itself internationally in Europe, America, and Asia. Their customers include cruise ships and shipyards, and they complete projects for amusement parks, communities, and cableway and ski-lift operators, to name a few. "Our systems should elicit emotions, but they must always remain safe and reliable. That goes for not only the construction, but also for the electrical infrastructure," points out Tobias Herbert Wiegand, Purchaser.

Wiegand is more than just a manufacturer; they also operate their own amusement park in Germany, and they have appropriately lofty ambitions: durable technology, robust workmanship, and a world-class level of quality spanning from local mountain ranges to the high seas. What really sets them apart is their material and manufacturing expertise, especially in the area of slides. Wiegand is the only supplier who manufactures both stainless-steel and fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) slides under one roof. They also have a strong drive to innovate which can be readily experienced through their custom solutions—anywhere where unusual requirements for construction, operational safety, and the environment meet.

Alpine roller coasters are outdoor systems, and therefore permanently being tested for endurance. UV radiation, moisture, temperature fluctuations, and mechanical loads are all daily occurrences. Even cleaning chemicals play a role. At the same time, many electrical functions are relevant for safe operation: sensors, communication, positioning and signal technology, or even components such as capacitor-charging circuits must function reliably for years without errors or malfunctions. "Our requirements for the cables we use are clearly defined," explains Tobias Herbert Wiegand.

Wiegand first came into contact with HELU when comparing prices between different suppliers. In the end, it was more than simply the conditions that made the difference, it was the combination of extensive product range and expert support. "For us, one real bonus is how easy it is to contact both their internal and external sales and how quickly they react to questions and last-minute changes," reports Tobias Herbert Wiegand. "For these kinds of projects, a data sheet just isn't enough," comments Sascha Link, Regional Sales Lead at HELU. "It has more to do with working together to find the right solution for the particular environment and then keeping that solution quickly and reliably available."

At Wiegand, many different HELU cables are used depending on whether for robust power supply, reliable control, or secure data transmission. For power distribution in outdoor areas, the underground cable NYY-J/NYY-O is used. This cable is especially suited for applications where electricity must flow uninterrupted from the main power grid to stations along the course, to control cabinets, or to peripheral loads.

When drive systems come into play, such as with lift or propulsion units, which are often powered by frequency converters, the focus shifts to low-interference operation and EMC characteristics. Wiegand uses motor cables from the TOPFLEX series that are designed for demanding environments, are resistant to UV radiation and electromagnetic interference. Their durability ensures trust-worthy power transmission even under ever-changing external conditions. This is an important component of reliable system operation that allows Wiegand’s users to put fun first.

For the system's internal communication, the HELUKAT 600 AE network cable is used. Depending on the task and assembly situation, Wiegand often uses classic PVC control cables such as the JZ-600/OZ-600 and the flexible, rubber-sheathed H07RN-F when the application calls for especially robust and flexible power-supply cables.

From offer to contract to delivery, Wiegand describes projects as straight forward and professional with something special when it comes to logistics. "For delivery, we require cable drums with IPPC treatment," their purchaser explains. "This treatment fights pests in wooden packaging and is required for export to many countries." HELU reliably delivers the right drums so that there are no difficulties in Wiegand's internal supply chain.

For Wiegand, connection technology is a component that rarely gets the spotlight but is critical for daily operations. Their decision-makers know that they have an experienced and competent partner at their side in HELU. "Every year, we realise many new alpine roller coasters and slides in the most diverse environments," reports Tobias Herbert Wiegand. "Predictable technical and logistical collaboration is important in making this happen. Both of which are absolutely the case with HELU."

You can find this article as well as many more exciting stories in our issue of POWER #19. Take a look now!

Josef Wiegand GmbH & Co. KG has specialised in the development and construction of alpine roller coasters, slides, and other leisure attractions for more than 50 years. The second-generation family-run company has successfully completed projects all over the world and supports its customers from the initial idea to completion.

Learn more at wiegandslide.com