GeminiFocus 2013 Year in Review | Page 47

to perform critical periodic maintenance on the enclosure shutter drive motors, encoders, gear-boxes, and chains. Figure 2. View from the newly installed Shutter Service Platform at Gemini North, installed to facilitate safety and accessibility during shutter motor servicing. Figure 3 shows the 150-foot telescoping crane used later in the year at Gemini North, which was required to pick up and place the platforms into position. For the crane to safely perform the lift, Gemini had to excavate and grade a level foundation pad and limit the operation to wind speeds less than 20 miles per hour; both items impacted the time and cost of the installation work. Figure 3. A 150-foot telescoping crane was needed to install the Shutter Service Platform. Figures 4-7 (below): Visiting Instruments Clockwise, from top left (all at Gemini South): Gemini’s new visiting-instrument