Skip to main content

Aquajet's new hybrid hydrodemolition robot

In what it says is a "a world first," Swedish specialist company Aquajet Systems has introduced a new diesel/electric-powered hybrid hydrodemolition robot offering a wide range of new features, including pollution-free operation in enclosed areas in electric-mode.
February 27, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
In what it says is a "a world first," Swedish specialist company 2784 Aquajet Systems has introduced a new diesel/electric-powered hybrid hydrodemolition robot offering a wide range of new features, including pollution-free operation in enclosed areas in electric-mode.

The hybrid systems power pack is powered by a 15 kW engine or a 15 kW electric motor, and simple 'switchover' operation ensures easy change to diesel power.

Featuring an optional extended mast height of up to 9m, the new robot offers larger, adjustable tracks to provide a variable width of between 1.5-2m for increased stability if required.

The hybrid model also incorporates a new type of steering drive to turn and twist the unit's powerhead at the increased heights to provide improved precision.

Aquajet has also developed a multi-axis system allowing the powerhead to be moved quickly, allowing it to work on vertical, curved or horizontal surfaces. The system can also turn the powerhead 180º in the horizontal position.

Additionally, to further speed operation, the robot has been designed to turn through 90º travelling along the wall surface, and this together with the side movement of the powerhead eliminates the constant 'stop-start' turning of the robot.

The robotic units can operate vertically, horizontally and overhead as standard. Attachments allow removal in specialist situations, for example, underneath bridge decks or under water.

According to Aquajet,the hybrid Aquacutter model features an automated control system that optimises settings and applies the minimal force required, allowing the robot to operate selectively, with its high pressured jet of water penetrating into the weak concrete as is passes across the surface.

An innovative intelligent sensing controlled system and a patented high-pressure lance control combine to offer high efficiency and performance.

"The EDS (Equal Distance System) system optimises the angle of attack as well as ensuring the nozzle remains at the correct set distance. This in turn ensures that the optimum 'angle of attack' can be selected, maintaining maximum power from the jet, while keeping the nozzle at the correct set distance from the surface independent from the selected angle of attack.

"The angle can change by as much as +/-30º maximising concrete removal around the reinforcing bars," says Aquajet.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • New earthmoving machines
    July 29, 2019
    An array of advanced earthmoving machines are coming to market, offering increased performance, lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions The global market for earthmoving machines has been particularly strong over the last year. Demand for new equipment has been at a high, with sales of crawler excavators proving especially robust. Manufacturers have responded by increasing output, while tempting customers with new models offering major performance gains. Dozers In the market for dozers, Caterp
  • Powerful and productive pavers for the US market
    February 21, 2012
    New US-style pavers are coming to market, writes Mike Woof. Paving Techniques for the North American market focus on productivity, with manufacturers offering new machines specially for this sector. The US paving market is very different from Europe, with manufacturers having focussed on productivity so as to be able to surface the country’s long distance highway construction projects.
  • KPI-JCI unveils new hybrid solutions
    March 13, 2017
    KPI-JCI has unveiled its new hybrid crushing and screening solutions during CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017. The Astec Industries’ company is here with the new GT440 Hybrid horizontal shaft impactor (HSI) and GT205 Hybrid Multi-Frequency screen. Offering on-site mobility and quick set-up, the GT440 Hybrid HSI delivers up to 30% more uptime with continuous crushing and tracking.
  • Innovations are pushing boundaries in the concrete road paving sector
    February 18, 2013
    The concrete road paving market continues to develop - Mike Woof reports Concrete road paving technology continues to evolve, with new equipment and techniques coming to market. Although concrete road construction has been used for many years, problems with early generation technologies affected this market segment. The first concrete roads were constructed in sections, which led to problems at joints but these were addressed many years ago with the advent of slipform paving. Concrete roads constructed in t