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

  • Road repairs fuel demand for milling machines
    February 13, 2012
    A need for road repairs is fuelling demand for new milling machines, Mike Woof reports. With many roads in Europe and North America needing repairs, manufacturers continue to meet demand by offering improved compact milling machines, as well as full-sized planers. The versatile and manoeuvrable compact machines can play a useful role in on-site recycling jobs for urban road improvements while the larger mills can be vital for in-situ recycling work.
  • High performing compact loaders from Kubota and Volvo CE
    April 12, 2018
    The competitive market for compact loaders is seeing new additions Kubota, SDLG and Volvo CE are now offering compact wheeled loaders that deliver more power and performance than earlier generation models. These compact wheeled loaders are intended to carry out a wide range of tasks and can be used for truck loading or stocking purposes, as well as an array of other duties. Tight turning circles mean that the machines are able to operate on small sites, while the units have long wheelbases for their ove
  • New milling machine from Bomag
    November 24, 2021
    Bomag is launching its new BM/65 series of cold planers
  • Topcon sets up ‘next generation’ concrete paving system
    March 10, 2017
    A key announcement from Topcon Positioning Group’s press conference at CONEXPO-CON/AGG was the release of the next generation of automated concrete paving — the ZPS system — with the new Z-Robot and Z-Stack sensor. Using enhanced Topcon Millimeter GPS technology, the ZPS system is designed to bring unmatched accuracy to concrete paving with a fraction of the hardware required for traditional LPS (local positioning system).