Gulf Construction Online - Conjet’s Robot set for top show

bauma 2007

Conjet’s Robot set for top show

01 April 2007

Leading Swedish hydrodemolition equipment manufacturer Conjet will use bauma 2007 for the world launch of the latest model in its well-renowned 360 range the Conjet Robot 364 MPA.

“The Conjet Robot 364 MPA can remove concrete from numerous surfaces, including above and underneath the robot with a minimal set-up time,” says a spokesman for its manufacturer. “Due to its rigid-designed and improved multipurpose arm, which reaches up to 6 m above the robot and 5 m to the side, the new Robot 364 MPA can operate with a reaction force up to 2000N, which is equivalent to the force of a water jet generated by a 550 kW high-pressure water pump.”
The new features on the Robot 364 MPA include hydraulically height-adjustable steering wheels that add an additional degree of freedom for positioning the feedbeam with its integral jetting lance and individually hydraulically-extendable drive wheels to optimise robot stability. In addition, the design of the new multipurpose arm offers higher accuracy in positioning and holding the feedbeam.
The closed loop control system features state-of the-art PLC (programmable logic control) and a new control box controlling the hydrodemolition process. There are nine pre-loaded programs for the most common hydrodemolition tasks and, in addition, the operators can store up to 11 programs with their own set-up parameters.
For safety reasons, when the robot is supplied with high-pressure water from a Conjet Powerpack, the robot and powerpack control systems are normally integrated. This enables the powerpack to speed up when the robot is switched into automatic mode and returns to idle when it is stopped. Should the emergency stop be activated on either the robot or the powerpack both systems shut down immediately, the spokesman says.
The Robot 364 is electrically powered so that it can be operated in tunnels and parking garages without producing any exhaust gases that are hazardous for the operators.
Elaborating on the benefits of hydrodemolition, the spokes-man says: “Conjet hydrodemolition is used to remove concrete from sensitive structures, such as bridges, tunnels, quays and garages. When concrete has been removed with hydrodemolition. No micro-cracks are created in the surface left behind, which is the best foundation for a strong bond with the new concrete. This will result in stronger and longer lasting structures.
“Conjet hydrodemolition replaces jackhammers that create cracks and micro cracks in the concrete surface resulting in a bad bond with the new concrete overlay. Additionally using hydrodemolition robots eliminates the hand and arm injuries created by vibrating jackhammers.”
Conjet’s extensive product range includes hydrodemolition robots, jetframes, powerpacks and accessories as well as custom-built equipment to cater for all possible hydrodemolition projects.