Client Background: Llechwedd Slate Caverns, nestled in the historic town of Blaenau Ffestiniog, embarked on an extraordinary culinary journey in late 2021. Seeking to transform an abandoned slate mine cavern into a unique cheese aging facility for Snowdonia Cheese, they turned to IDL Engineering for an innovative access solution. This project presented a formidable challenge, requiring the design, fabrication, and installation of an access staircase and conveyor belt system that spanned a depth of 15 meters, providing seamless access to the cavern floor.
Project Overview:
- Client’s Vision: To convert an abandoned cavern into a one-of-a-kind cheese aging facility.
- Scope: Design, fabrication, and installation of a specialised access staircase and conveyor system.
- Challenges: Working within the confines of a historic, damp cavern without the use of heavy machinery.
Our Solution: IDL Engineering embraced the unique challenge and delivered a groundbreaking solution
- Cavern Mapping: We began by mapping the cavern’s layout using specialised equipment, providing a comprehensive understanding of the space for the design phase.
- Bridge Construction: To begin the descent, we constructed and installed a robust bridge at the cavern’s surface. This bridge served as the foundation for the subsequent staircase and conveyor system.
- Precision Fabrication: Our team meticulously fabricated the access staircase and conveyor, using galvanized steel to withstand the cavern’s damp environment, ideal for cheese maturation but demanding on steelwork.
- Ingenious Installation: Due to the challenging location, inaccessible to heavy machinery, we devised a clever installation strategy that involved hand installation using winches and pulleys, ensuring the safety and integrity of the structure.
Results and Benefits:
- Culinary Transformation: The completed project transformed an abandoned cavern into a state-of-the-art cheese aging facility, creating a unique synergy of history and modernity.
- Efficiency and Accessibility: The access staircase and conveyor system provided Llechwedd with efficient and convenient access to the cavern floor, streamlining the cheese-curing process for Snowdonia Cheese.
- Engineering Excellence: IDL Engineering’s expertise in not-so-ordinary fabrication work, from underground structures to zip wires, shone brightly through this project, showcasing a commitment to innovation and problem-solving.
