One SunKid Wonder Carpet replaces two T-Bar lifts

The Emilia Romagna region is known far and wide for its culinary specialties, which include Parma ham, balsamic vinegar or Parmesan cheese. But winter sports enthusiasts can also experience true moments of enjoyment in the region. On Monte Cantiere, for example, you can find not only a breathtaking panorama, but a technical tidbit as well: a 189 meter long SunKid Wonder Carpet with gallery. Its additions include among others a 750 mm wide extra-strong conveyor belt, a Kombi exit stall, an active hydraulic Mammoth tensioning station, as well as an innovative 1.2m/sec high speed design.

: A nearly 200m long SunKid Wonder Carpet replaces two ski lifts in Piane di Mocogno ©SunKid

The increasing number of guests in the Piane di Mocogno ski area at Monte Cantiere took the two T-Bar lifts, operating until last winter, to the limits of their capacity. Since this region is visited by very many families with small children and the operators were seeking a beginner-suitable lift solution for winter and summer, their choice went to the SunKid Wonder Carpet.

: The 750 mm width of the conveyor belt offers maximum comfort

To make the ride easier for parents and their offspring, a 750mm wide conveyor belt was selected. With this width, adults can comfortably hold children between their legs. Fun sports equipment, such as snow tubes, toboggans and all types of snow-gliding equipment, as well as bicycles in the summer can be easily transported.

: The pictures show it well the convex concave adjustment of the gallery to the terrain

The conveyor, powered by a 30KW motor, consists of a belt made in-house from natural rubber with four pull positions and a standard breaking strength of 500N/mm.Vulcanized carrier modules (blue-eyes) ensure stability on the Wonder Carpet and guarantee a high level of slaving capability.

The speed of the conveyor can be adjusted continuously up to 1.2 m/sec. Aside from the advantage of shorter transit time, the capacity can be thus increased. Theoretical transit capacity for the system amounts to 1,400 passengers per hour.

Due to the convex concave adaptation of the Wonder Carpet along with the gallery to the terrain at Piane di Mocogno, lift staff is not able to view the entire conveyor from a single position. To avoid the occurrence of any safety gaps, three cameras were installed alongside the gallery that transmit any occurrences to a monitor in the lift hut. An intercom system completes the safety concept.

Invisible to the customers, but extremely useful to the operator, is the heating possibility, adjustable upon need. Heating elements along the entire length heat the Nirosta sliding surfaces and ensure that the conveyor belt remains snow and ice-free even in the most unfavorable conditions. To prevent heat from escaping below, the heating conductor has been enclosed with a U isolation profile. In addition, heating cups including drainage have been installed at the valley and mountain stations that “magically“ remove snow accumulation. This unique heating concept by SunKid makes operation and maintenance of the system easier for the operator.

Appropriate to the concept, the system has been equipped with an active hydraulic tensioning station. The Mammoth Tensioning Station makes the appropriate corrections on length changes that can occur given use in winter as well as summer, as well as the greater 189 meter length of the conveyor. With the help of a hydraulic cylinder with an impressive tension stroke of 2.5m and a bladder-type accumulator with a 55dm³ volume, the tension of the Wonder Carpet is constantly adjusted.´

The SunKid gallery can be installed with each SunKid Wonder Carpet model and can also be retrofitted to already existing systems. With the time-tested modular structure, concave and convex terrain changes are no obstacle for the SunKid gallery. High quality UV-resistant 3mm thick polycarbonate windows, an inner width of 2.2 m and inner height of 2.3 m create a roomy feeling for passengers. Self-retracting tarps at the exits makes opening the gallery problem-free, easy and quick even in low temperatures with gloves. At the valley and mountain stations of the system, the gallery can be closed overnight using lockable gates.

Fact Box: The SunKid conveyor as a replacement for lift systems:

Higher capacity
Simplified use, even for children and beginners
Multifunctionality (ski, snowboard, sled, pedestrians, fun sports equipment and much more)
Year-round operation (winter & summer)
More comfort for passengers
Fewer shut downs - particularly with the SunKid Radius side exit
Less space required
Modifications to the overall length can be undertaken at any time
Location can always be changed
Simplified installation
Easier and faster permit process
Fewer personnel required
JDepending on optional equipment, lower initial investment.