|
All phases of the fabrication process required the use of forklifts
and cranes.
The 8' x 20' type 316 stainless steel plates, half inch thick &
weighing more than 3300 lbs. each, were lifted and positioned onto the bed of the computerized abrasive water jet
cutter.
After two weeks of precisely cutting the component parts of the
sculpture, fitting and welding began with the outside half inch skin and internal ribs.
|
|
|
The two inner disks under fabrication.
Throughout the eighteen month long project, Hal Stowers worked closely,
hands on with the fabricators, making necessary aesthetic decisions at every step along the way.
"A project of this scale and difficulty, with a need for precision
and attention to detail, can only be done through a strong team effort. A high degree of skill, perseverance, blood,
sweat and tears, faith and determination by the SUN TIME Team made the difference. Everyone went the extra mile.
Every facet was Large
about this project."
|
|
|
1999
|
|
 |
Harry, Rojo & Juan welding the difficult to reach, more intricate
details of the smaller disk.
|
 |
All welded joints were meticulously ground flush. More than 2000 man
hours of grinding and polishing was required to accomplish Hal's "Desired Effect."
|
Reflective qualities begin to emerge as Juan, Pablo and Pascual massage
the final polishing.
|
 |
Charles Cook rides high and maneuvers the second disk into place.
|
|
Hal precisely cuts away protective wrap to expose the area to be
sandblasted.
The coarse texture of the sandblasting defined the lower edge of
the polished ellipse at the base of the sculpture.
It's been a long day and a late night for Hal, Dave, and the rest
of TEAM SUN TIME.
Early the next morning the Sculpture was transported to the site
for installation.
|
|
The three large components of the sculpture were transported as
an "Extra Wide Load"
with sheriff escorts from Dunedin to Clearwater.
A 150 ton crane was waiting at the site. The large outer ellipse
was lifted and " lit like a bird" onto the Sculpture's foundation. It was carefully leveled, bolted down and welded in place.
The second disk was more of a challenge with its asymmetrical weight
and the tight tolerance between disks. It was finally positioned onto the bottom pin and then rolled and cranked
until the "drift pin"
at the top dropped, securing it in place.
|
R.W. Cook, John Cook, Hal and others work to set the third disk
on its pin and roll it into place.
|
|
TEAM SUN TIME
Special thanks to ALL the individuals
who contributed to the creation of SUN TIME. Certain
people involved from the beginning, and who went the many many extra miles required at the end, are listed here.
Sculptor & Assistant
Hal Stowers
B.J. Stowers
Owner, Cook Machinery
Ralph W. Cook
John Cook
Project Engineer/Manager
David M. Schiereck
Foreman
John Winkler
Welder
Harry Breuer
Kack Khotpanha
|
The two inner disks were rotated on their axis until Hal gave the signal that
they were in the exact juxtaposed position he desired.
Lead welder Harry, then performed the final welds.
Crew
Juan Gonzalez
Pablo Cruz
Narciso Rojo
Pascual Ramirez
Ramon Garcia
Antonio Garcia
Owner, Cook Manufacturing Group
Charles Cook
|
