| 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
|
