US-based Consigli Construction Co has completed the installation of three 41,000lb overhead bridge cranes at the University of Maine’s GEM Factory of the Future.
The new equipment is intended to support large-scale manufacturing, including processes enabled by artificial intelligence and digital fabrication technologies.
Each crane was installed with a required rail alignment tolerance of approximately a quarter inch, as even minor deviations could lead to uneven wheel loads, increased friction, and a higher risk of equipment wear.
The project team relied on 3D modelling and extensive surveying to confirm travel paths for the cranes and to set defined areas that ensured mechanical and electrical systems stayed clear of crane operations.
To fit the cranes, workers temporarily removed a skylight and used the roof as an entry point, placing each crane component directly onto the building’s steel structure.
The installation took place amid ongoing research activities at the facility, necessitating careful project sequencing and site management.
Consigli coordinated the work to avoid disruption to laboratory operations, highlighting the importance of early planning and structural accuracy in complex jobs.
Consigli Portland, Maine operations director Dave Thomas said: “UMaine’s new Factory of the Future isn’t just a building—it’s a catalyst for innovation. The opportunities this creates for students, researchers, and industry are significant. Our #GenuineBuilders are proud to be part of a project that will help shape the next generation of manufacturing and engineering.”
UMaine Advanced Structures & Composites Center said: “Another major milestone for GEM. Thank you to Consigli Construction Co., SMRT Architects & Engineers, Grimshaw, Thornton Tomasetti, and the many tradespeople helping bring the Factory of the Future to life. We’re excited to see this vision taking shape.”
Consigli Construction, founded in 1905, operates as an employee-owned company, with offices in several regions, including the Northeast US, the Caribbean, and Washington, DC.
The company delivers construction services across a range of sectors, such as academic, healthcare, life sciences, and energy, and has received national recognition for its employment practices.
