In September last year, C-Tech was approached by Angus McGregor from Canterbury University, a consulting engineer to the Len Lye Foundation. Len Lye (1901-1980) was a renowned New Zealand artist known for his kinetic sculptures.
Angus sought our expertise in manufacturing a replacement for the iconic Wellington Water Whirler, a hollow glass fibre tube with strategically drilled holes along its length. This sculpture, installed at Lambton Quay in Wellington, uses water pressure to create dynamic swaying and spinning motions. The glass fibre tube construction is crucial for allowing significant oscillations during operation.
Project Phases and Challenges
Initial Testing and Laminate Development: The project started with the production of laminate samples for Angus to test, completed before Christmas 2023. These samples were critical for determining the final material specifications to meet the performance requirements.
Manufacturing the Replacement Tube: In 2024, C-Tech undertook the challenge of producing a 10.5-meterlong composite tube in three segments. These segments were joined using internal spigots and reinforced with additional laminate for enhanced durability. The assembled tubes were then coated with a marine-grade metallic grey paint to match the original sculpture.
Logistics and Installation: The final step involved shipping the 10.5-metre long tube to Lambton Quay for installation by the Wellington City Council. This phase required meticulous planning to ensure the safe transport and installation of the sculpture.
Technical Specifications
Tube Dimensions: The final glass fibre tube had an internal diameter (ID) of 44.2mm and a wall thickness of 7.5mm.
Weight: Each tube weighed 25.1kg, meeting the customer’s stringent weight requirements.
Material Properties: The composite laminate was specified by Angus after extensive bend testing of the samples.
C-Tech is proud to have met the demanding tolerances and performance criteria, aligning with the vision of Len Lye and the Wellington City Council for this iconic sculpture. Wellington City Council expressed their satisfaction with the project, stating;
“We are very happy with both the Water Whirler wands and really appreciate that C-Tech were able to take on this complex bespoke work for us. The wand is showing good clean motion and flex, and this is testament to a precise and consistent fabrication process. Sam at C-Tech has been great to deal with and we look forward to working with C-Tech again.”
