As part of a £12.5 million upgrade,
each of the 32 capsules on the EDF
Energy London Eye is being removed
in turn.

Playing a small but crucial part in
the process, Isle of Wight-based LCM
Systems is providing a shackle load
cell and TR150 hand-held indicator
to ensure that when a 10t capsule is
removed from the cantilevered
observation wheel, it can be safely
and securely lowered on to the
pontoon waiting to transport the
pod up the Thames.

The capsules are attached to the
wheel via 4 pins that need to be
extracted before the capsule can be
removed. The process involves
attaching the load cell on to an air
hoist that is in turn attached to the
capsule. Air is driven into the hoist
until the load cell gives a reading of
10.5t on the indicator, monitored on
the ground by an engineer.

Once engineers are satisfied the
capsule is secure and can be lowered
safely, the pins are extracted and the
pod begins its controlled descent.