The Hilti PS20 is a symbiosis of form and function.
Dynamic detector quick and accurate
Global construction tools maker Hilti offers a new detector to check the depth of concrete cover and the layout of existing rebars in a structure under repair. HYUNSOO KIM of Hilti Regional Office in Dubai elaborates on how this tool facilitates work on site.
01 April 2003
Dynamically-designed, easy to use and value for money, the Hilti PS20 detector is a quick, accurate provider of depth-of-coverage measurements.
Whether making new rebar connections, checking the layout of existing rebars or checking concrete depth, drilling is quite frequently required in making structural repairs on concrete buildings, and with drilling come the problems of striking reinforcement, drilling into copper pipes and destroying electric cables. As a result, delays and repair expenses build up, and drilling into static reinforcement or electric power cables can even, in extreme cases, have fatal consequences for the driller.
However, the Hilti PS20 is a tool which aids quick, simple examination of the base material before drilling. As the tool is passed over the concrete surface, the clearly-legible display automatically shows where it is safe to drill or where a dowel can be successfully positioned.
Importantly, the PS20 can identify whether the material detected involves reinforcement, copper piping or a live power cable, while it can also show the user the exact depth at which one can expect to encounter reinforcement with an accuracy which was, until now, unimaginable.
Thus, the drilling of a dowel hole to a depth of 60 mm presents no difficulty in cases where a reinforcing element is detected at a depth of 75 mm.
Accuracy
High-precision scanning with a maximum deviation of +/- 2 mm fulfils the requirements of professionals at the depth where it really matters (up to 40 mm).
Should deeper measurements be needed, the PS20 obliges, with measurements up to 80 mm. And since the PS20 is 'diameter independent', knowing the size of the rebar is not necessary. This means no more test holes or poring over old plans to find the diameter before scanning.
This handy appliance is intended to provide only accurate and reliable measurement data using its unique reinforcement knowledge base, which also helps it achieve an unbeatable separation performance (the ability to separately detect two bars which lie close to one another) of 1:1.1, down to a minimum of 43 mm.
Flexibility
The base material is rendered practically transparent when the new detector is run over the concrete surface, the PS20 identifying and localising reinforcement, copper pipes and live electric cables in a matter of seconds.
The Hilti detector opens up a broad variety of possible applications, for example in quality control and damage analysis. Fastening specialists can carry out simple, quick preventive checks with the PS20 to avoid undermining statically-relevant points.
Strength
The PS20 is a successful symbiosis of form and function. There's no cable between a scanner head and control unit to snag. Ergonomically, the tool is practically an extension of the human hand.
Meanwhile, a large, backlit display and functions such as minimum coverage and calibration for poor quality steel, as well as accuracy, reliability and a highly competitive price, make the PS20 a true winner, Hilti adds.
Productivity
Drilling without prior examination of the base material is expensive, as repeated drilling after reinforcement is hit wastes valuable time and unnecessarily shortens the life of the drill bit.
But repairs to water pipes which have been accidentally drilled into are also an expensive and time-consuming business. The PS20, however, pays for itself more quickly than many expect. Experience shows that every fifth drilling operation of concrete involves an unpleasant surprise hidden in the base material, so it certainly pays to know exactly what is lurking behind the scenes.
- Dynamic detector quick and accurate
- Early repairs cost-effective
- Job-specific tools an Otal speciality
