BUILD No. 2 / 2014

Page 1

BUILD

A MAGAZINE FROM ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE NO. 2 / 2014

hanks largely to T 12 billion euros of investment from the European Union over the next six years, Poland’s road system is getting a massive upgrade.

European

Connections

DAM REMOVAL * POWER AT LOCH NESS * TOOL FORENSICS


A MAGAZINE FROM ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE – NO. 2 / 2014

2

We aim to improve the productivity INNOVATION IS KEY AS THE NEW Business Area Presi-

dent for Construction Technique, it is my pleasure to introduce this issue of Build – a valuable source of information about our products and the construction industry in general. At Atlas Copco, we aim to improve the productivity of our customers through continuous innovation in product development and services. One example is found in the article describing our Asphalt Masters, members of our Road Construction Equipment division. Also in this issue you can learn about the LG500 plate compactor and the MF2500 feeder. Also, I am sure you will enjoy our interview with the American Rental Association’s Christine Wehrman; her views on this key sector give us cause for optimism. In addition, we bring you customer stories from around the world, including Scotland, Spain, the Middle East and Latvia. The construction market has undergone a difficult couple of years, with lower investment in infrastructure projects across the globe. However, we may soon feel a small tailwind in the market, boosting investment in construction equipment in Europe and North America. We look forward to taking this journey with you, our loyal customers. Our factories are in good shape, we have well-organized logistics and a good service team that helps you to deliver; we will continue to bring you sustainable productivity.

Contents issue 2/2014 OHIO, USA Two concrete dams are removed from a flowing river (page 4).

POLAND A global team of asphalt specialists help customers in new infrastructure projects (page 6).

IOWA, USA The CEO of the American Rental Association foresees a prosperous future (page 12).

Andrew Walker Business Area President Atlas Copco Construction Technique

BUILD

a magazine from atlas copco construction technique

PUBLISHER Anna-Karin Stenlund

anna.stenlund@se.atlascopco.com EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Daniel Egana, Valeria Lirach, Anja Kaulbach, Anna-Karin Stenlund and Elsie Vestraets PRODUCTION Appelberg Publishing Group, Sweden EDITOR Lena Nilsson AD Ersan Cürüklü

COPYRIGHT 2014, Atlas Copco AB, Stockholm ADDRESS Atlas Copco (Shanghai) Trading Co., Ltd.

– Construction Technique, 16/F China Venturetech Plaza, No 819 Nanjing West Road 200041 Shanghai, PRC WEB www.atlascopco.com COVER PHOTO Gordon Blackler


A MAGAZINE FROM ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE – NO. 2 / 2014

3

NEWS

30 YEARS OF ATLASCOPCOSAURUS

Thirty years ago, a newly discovered plant-eating species of dinosaur was named Atlascopcosaurus loadsi. The name honored Atlas Copco for supporting the research carried out by paleontologist Dr. Thomas H. Rich at Dinosaur Cove, Victoria, Australia. Loadsi refers to Bill Loads, Atlas Copco’s manager in Victoria at the time. A large group of students, paleontologists and miners worked on the excavations, and Atlas Copco contributed equipment and expertise.

BUSINESS GENERATION

To offer “predictable power” solutions to a wider range of industries, Atlas Copco is joining forces with Gesan, an industrial generator brand. Gesan is becoming a dedicated Atlas Copco product line, distributed by dealers for segments such as health care, data centers, telecom, manufacturing, government and transportation. Other segments, such as oil and gas, construction, rental and mining, will continue to be served by Atlas Copco customer centers.

Atlas Copco’s place on No.7 Green Rankings 2014, the U.S. magazine Newsweek’s ranking of the world’s largest companies on corporate sustainability and environmental impact.

CHAMPIONSHIP SPONSOR

Atlas Copco is an official partner in the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, to be held in Falun, Sweden, in early 2015. “This will market our brand as an employer and a provider of sustainable productivity solutions, and it will strengthen our relationship with current and potential customers and other stakeholders,” says Lotta Gill, Communication Manager, Atlas Copco Holding Nordic. Some 800 athletes from 60 countries will compete.

ROLLERS FOR LAOS

Atlas Copco has sold rollers to its first Laotian customer. Four Dynapac CA702 soil compactors were sold to Laothani Company Limited, which will employ them at hydropower dam projects.


4

A MAGAZINE FROM ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE – NO. 2 / 2014

Check ou t a time-lapse video of the demolition on YouTube. Search for Cuyahoga Falls.

A LIBERATED RIVE


A MAGAZINE FROM ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE – NO. 2 / 2014

ER

5

Powerful hydraulic breakers, supported by reliable air compressors, quickly removed two obsolete low-head concrete dams in the U.S. state of Ohio. TEXT LINAS ALSENAS PHOTO EILERT OFSTEAD

THE CUYAHOGA RIVER, the waterway that passes

through the city of Cleveland, Ohio, is best known throughout the United States for catching fire in 1969. Although such river fires, fueled by unregulated industrial pollution, were not unknown over the previous century, media coverage of the Cuyahoga fire helped to spur the growing environmental movement, eventually leading to the passage of the federal Clean Water Act in 1972. Today the river’s condition is getting media coverage once again, but this time the press is highlighting the restoration of the river to its natural state. In the city of Cuyahoga Falls, two low-head concrete dams were recently removed to help improve the quality of the water, restore the habitat and clear the way for recreational activities on the river. The dams originally provided hydroelectric power for businesses that have long since been shuttered.

BUT UNDERWATER demolition in the midst of a river current is not a simple operation. RiverReach Construction, an Ohio company that specializes in environmental stream and wetland restoration projects, was responsible for the project, and Columbus Equipment Company, an authorized Atlas Copco distributor, helped RiverReach select the heavy duty HB 3100 and the compact SB 552 breakers for its task. To be able to handle the watery worksite, the breakers needed to be fitted with underwater kits. This involved extra installations on each breaker and excavator by service experts, to prevent water from entering the percussion mechanisms of the breakers. Compressed air was supplied by an Atlas Copco XAS 185 compressor. The first to go was the Sheraton Mill Dam. Greg Guello, a manager at RiverReach, saw that it need to be approached from upstream, so a modular barge was used to float a mini-

excavator, with the SB 552 breaker attached, just above the dam. Operator Shannon Swaino began by using the SB 552 to open up windows in the concrete and increase the flow downstream. The water level at the dam then gradually sank. Next, Swaino entered the river with a 36-ton excavator and the powerful HB 3100. “It was almost too easy with that big breaker,” Swaino says. The dam came down in a day. Next was LeFever Dam, which was larger and had a significantly larger volume of water behind it. Fortunately, RiverReach was able to construct an access to the river for the first phase and Swaino could approach the dam from the downstream side afterward, so no barge was needed and the job was completed quickly. Once the demolition phase was complete, long-hidden whitewater rapids and waterfalls were revealed in this section of the river. A few surprises were revealed, too, including thousands of bicycle tires traced to a 1940s bike shop in the area, and a handgun used in a 2006 robbery. RiverReach cleaned up debris that had gathered over the years, as well as remnants of concrete and rebar. They then created protective concrete support walls for the old powerhouses, to guard the historic structures from fluctuations in river flow and accompanying debris.

FAST FACTS Breakers used: SB 552 and HB 3100 Compressor used: XAS 185 Dam dimensions: Sheraton Mill Dam – 12 meters long, 3 meters high LeFever Dam – 27.4 meters long, nearly 4 meters high.


A MAGAZINE FROM ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE – NO. 2 / 2014

ASPHALT AM


A MAGAZINE FROM ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE – NO. 2 / 2014

A global team of speci alists helps Atlas Copco cust any asphalt-r omers with elated issues they may hav e. TE X T EL AINE MCCLARENC E PHOTOS GO RDON BL AC KLER

AMBITIONS


A MAGAZINE FROM ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE – NO. 2 / 2014

8

Skanska Poland has 70 pavers and rollers; its staff members get equipment training from Atlas Copco.

ATLAS COPCO HAS launched its Asphalt Care Team service to help customers make the most of their construction equipment. The service brings together application support, technical expertise, customer training and rapid parts-ordering system. The Asphalt Masters, a global team of specialists, support customers with all aspects of the asphalt process. Increasingly, contractors have to meet stringent deadlines and defined quality parameters. “There are high demands on our paver and planer products,” says Johan Thörnqvist, Asphalt Care Team Manager. “Machines need to be up and running and lay a perfect result. This team was created to better and faster support these demands.” The Asphalt Care Team mainly provides support in the field, Thörnqvist says, with each Asphalt Master acting as a single point of contact for the customer. The work ranges from commissioning new equipment to delivering application support when customers

” Machines need to be up and running and lay a perfect result.”

have paving issues and organizing relevant training. The team can also arrange the delivery of urgent parts when needed through a hotline. “We have a dedicated asphalt team locally and globally that can step in fast, whether there is an issue related to parts or a technical or application issue,” he says. The Asphalt Care team works closely with local country teams and other divisions within Atlas Copco. “Asphalt is a complex product and differs from country to country, based on the types of stones that are available, climate and the type of bitumen,” Thörnqvist says. “There are also varying equipment requirements such as tracked and wheeled pavers, or different types of paving widths. Some countries have a tradition of paving in large widths, making it important to extend the paver screed and auger correctly.” All links in the quality chain are important. “It’s not enough being able to troubleshoot and repair machinerelated issues,” he says. “More often quality issues in


A MAGAZINE FROM ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE – NO. 2 / 2014

9

Asphalt is a team effort, as there are many factors that can affect the final result. “Reaction time and the availability of service are very important for us,” says Skanska Poland’s Mariusz Gielniewski.

CARE TEAM CUSTOMER SUPPORT edicated team focused on pavers and D planers Commissioning and start-up training Ongoing operator training Application and technical support Urgent parts support Complicated repairs and troubleshooting.


10

A MAGAZINE FROM ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE – NO. 2 / 2014

TRAINING FOR SUCCESS

the paved surface are due to a problem with the material, its transportation, machine settings or operator issues.” Asphalt Masters, with their global perspective and local connections, can provide relevant practical application and technical support. Training is an important part of the Asphalt Care Team’s work. “In some markets we work with dealers, but in others we operate directly through an Atlas Copco customer center,” Thörnqvist says. “Dealer training is very important, and dealers will identify and solve most issues locally, but when needed they will escalate to the regional Atlas Copco support team. We have added additional operator training and combined technical and appli-cation training.” The ambition is to extend the Asphalt Care team to have an Asphalt Master in all regions. Next on the list are India and Eastern Europe South, covering 14 countries.

Skanska Poland has been an Atlas Copco customer since the early 2000s and has a fleet of 70 pavers and rollers. Mariusz Gielniewski, Technical Branch Director, Civil East, Skanska Poland, says, “What is important is a platform of local cooperation with Atlas Copco staff working where we have our machines. Reaction time and the availability of service are very important for us.” Mirosław Maciążka, Sales and Technical Support Manager at Atlas Copco, says, “Paving is a Mariusz Gielniewski sensitive job. The paver is the most important machine, so possible breakdown, bad performance or incorrect operation could result in a big cost for a customer.” As an Asphalt Master he leads a team that provides technical and logistical support and training for both the customer and his own service team. Each year Atlas Copco trains some 70 Skanska Poland staff members. “We offer training before Mirosław delivery of machines,” Maciążka says. “This Maciążka is usually a two-to-three-day course covering theory and practice.” Additional one-day refresher courses are offered. Maciążka says it is important to involve as many people in the asphalt process as possible – operators, technicians, site and plant managers – because it is a team effort and many factors can influence the final result.

PAVING POLAND

Poland has a great need for asphalt expertise. Its road infrastructure is being upgraded to carry increasing numbers of vehicles, especially trucks, through the country, which serves as a major route between Western and Eastern Europe. Tomasz Przeradzki, General Manager for Construction Technique East European Region North covering Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Ukraine, says, ”EU funds are driving the development, with Poland benefiting from a 24-billion-euro investment in its infrastructure, including 12 billion euros exclusively for road infrastructure for the years 2014 to 2020.” Przeradzki says Poland’s ambitions are an opportunity for Atlas Copco to demonstrate its unique technology and aftermarket services. “We are prepared to act quickly to solve problems,” he says. The projects across Poland are many. Multi-lane highways and rail projects will connect Germany and Belarus. In southern Poland, a highway will link the western border with Germany to the eastern border with Ukraine. In a north-south link between Gdansk and the southern border crossings into the Czech Republic and Slovakia, some sections of motorway are still incomplete. By September 2014, a total of 1 399 kilometers of motorways were in use. For the Union of European Football Associations European Championship, some 550 kilometers of highways and 570 kilometers of expressways were completed, but this represents a small amount of the road and rail infrastructure that is planned for Poland and its neighbors.


PRODUCTS

A MAGAZINE FROM ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE – NO. 2 / 2014

11

GETTING IN THE SWING

RUGGED INVESTMENT

In 2013, an Algerian telecom provider needed a number of generators to power transmission antennas in remote locations cut off from the main power grid. The generators would operate in harsh environments – dusty sites, high altitudes and extreme temperatures ranging from minus 15 to plus 50 degrees Celsius. Reliability, performance and predictability were more important in the selection than lowest purchase price. After calculating the total cost of ownership, the telecom provider ended up purchasing 32 Atlas Copco QAS 30 flx AMF units.

The Dynapac MF2500CS mobile feeder is equipped with a short conveyer as standard. But an additional, highly beneficial option is available: With no modification of the feeder, a swingable conveyor can be attached behind the short belt. The main advantage the swingable conveyor is that it enables the machine to feed two pavers, and it can be used for a wide range of applications such as side feeding of a compact paver or laying road shoulders. When not required, the swingable conveyor can be removed quickly, considerably prolonging the belt’s lifetime.

STOP ON RED

The complexity of different soil types makes high-quality compaction a challenge. Too little compaction and the soil may settle, causing structure failure, while too much compaction leads to unnecessary machine wear and downtime. The LG500 reversible plate has a compaction indicator that makes it easier. Based on vibrations in the plate, the indicator shows how well the soil is compacted beneath the surface. It uses a clear system of three indicator lights: yellow, green and red. The red light flashes when the soil has reached maximum compaction and it is time to stop.

DIESEL ADDITION

Atlas Copco offers electric, pneumatic and hydraulic submersible pumps. Starting in 2014, the company also offers a range of dry-prime, diesel-driven pumps to extend its dewatering solutions for tough environments or where power is not available. PAS pumps, available in 4-, 6- and 8-inch models, are best suited for transporting or lifting water with abrasive solids in suspension, for example in stream diversions, sewage bypass or dewatering at mine sites. The pumps have an operating flow range of 50 to 600 cubic meters per hour and a maximum head of 37 meters.


12

A MAGAZINE FROM ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE – NO. 2 / 2014

RENTAL BOOM The American Rental Association’s Christine Wehrman says the rental industry has a bright future. TEXT LINAS ALSENAS PHOTO MIKE WHITE

BUSINESS IS BOOMING in the U.S. rental industry, and American Rental Association (ARA) Chief Executive Christine Wehrman knows it. “We’re in a true growth pattern,” she says. “This year the ARA has calculated that the industry will generate 36 billion dollars in U.S.-based revenue, and by 2018 we project that number to be over 50 billion dollars. For example, today we have 53% penetration of the U.S. construction fleet. Also, the energy sector in the U.S. and Canada has huge growth potential.” But Wehrman isn’t taking this success for granted. “From

“ The energy sector in the U.S. and Canada has a huge growth potential.” my perspective, the industry is fortunate to have this situation, but we strive for continued growth every day with the service that we provide to our customers,” she says. ACCORDINGLY, the ARA aims to help its members stay at the top of their game. “The goals of this organization, which are my goals as well, are many,” Wehrman says. One involves gathering and distributing information. “It’s a broad goal, whether it’s publishing our magazine or compiling statistics about the industry,” she says. “We also work on the development of performance standards and keep up with

regulatory issues and technology.” Staying abreast of government affairs is another goal. “We have a Washington, D.C., office for this purpose,” Wehrman says. “The decisions made out of D.C. greatly impact the economics of our members.” Another key initiative is education and training. “We do a lot of safety and risk management education and training, especially how to use equipment properly from a customer perspective,” she says. IN ADDITION, the organization looks to expand marketplace opportunities. “We put buyers and sellers together, whether through our industry trade show, our magazine (Rental Management) or through state associations,” Wehrman says. So where does she fit in? “As CEO I administer the association, which means that I work with the board with regard to the staff implementing the board’s policies and strategic direction,” she says. The board is made up of 18 individuals from rental businesses and manufacturers. “On a given day, I might be helping staff with questions about the various events we have, especially our annual Rental Show,” she says. “I might be communicating with our members, or I might be writing the editorial in our magazine.” The ARA’s members are based in the United States, Canada and more than 30 other countries. The organization’s 50-some staff members work closely with more than 300 volunteers from state and provincial associations, and they keep its members up-to-date on industry developments. Wehrman says her favorite moment in her current role is when the Rental Show opens every year. “We work on the show year-round, and the equipment on display is magnificent,” she says. “I always feel a thrill as the show opens. To see people pouring onto the show floor – this is what it’s all about for me, since the people and the equipment are what define the industry. The pride of the industry really shines through.”


A MAGAZINE FROM ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE – NO. 2 / 2014

PERSONAL FACTS Name: Christine Wehrman Title: CEO, American Rental Association Last book read: Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, by Doris Kearns Goodwin Best advice given or received: Trust your instincts Favorite place in the world: Denver, Colorado

13


A MAGAZINE FROM ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE – NO. 2 / 2014

14

SMART SOLUTIONS

ABU DHABI TAKES OFF

A major airport expansion in the Middle East aims to double passenger capacity within three years. PHOTO HITEN KAPADIA ABU DHABI AIRPORT in the United Arab Emir-

ates is undergoing a massive, 275-millionU.S.-dollar expansion, building a new Midfield Terminal complex. The project includes construction of a new high-tech terminal building, a new runway and other developments. Leading Indian construction company Larsen & Toubro (L&T) landed the timesensitive job. Having experienced the high performance of Dynapac 18-ton rollers procured a few years earlier, L&T chose once again to rely on Atlas Copco’s quality and expertise. The company employed a fleet of 21 Atlas Copco machines – four pavers, four tandem asphalt rollers, seven pneumatic-tire rollers, two 10- ton-class soil compactors, and four 18-ton-class soil compactors. L&T used CA600D and CA250D soil compactors to compact the base layers. Then two Dynapac SD2500C pavers with highcompaction screed V6000TVH paved a high

layer of 300-millimeter-thick cement-treated base course. With the high-compaction screed, the pavers easily achieved a pre-compaction of more than 92%. Dynapac CC3800 highfrequency tandem rollers followed, and 30-ton-class Dynapac CP275 pneumatic-tire rollers completed the compaction process. Two more Dynapac SD2500C pavers paved the asphalt near the terminal building. Compaction here was also finished by CC3800 high-frequency tandem rollers and CP275 pneumatic-tire rollers. The CC3800’s high frequency of 67 hertz and an electronic drive control system delivered a smooth asphalt surface without any undulations. The CP275 sealed the large volume of top asphalt layers with a high-quality finish. The project is scheduled to open in 2017, with an initial capacity of 27 million passengers a year, more than twice the airport’s current capacity.

01


A MAGAZINE FROM ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE – NO. 2 / 2014

15

TEXT Linas Alsenas

STORMY AT LOCH NESS

Around Scotland’s fabled Loch Ness, storms cut off power for a long period, but new generators at a primary substation aim to make such failures a thing of the past. PHOTO DAVID FITZGERALD

IN DECEMBER 2013, inclement weather caused widespread power outages around Loch Ness in Scotland. The electricity supply was affected for 22 hours, and the threat of more disruption lasted for three days. Scottish and Southern Energy restored power, but it wanted to be ready for any additional failures in the 33-kilovolt overhead supply. Generator Power, SSE’s preferred generator supplier, put two trailer-mounted Atlas Copco QAC 1250 generators in place at a primary substation on the bank of Loch Ness. Both generators were connected to a step-up transformer unit on the front of their trailer. Supplying 2 megawatts together at 11 kilovolts directly onto the network, a single high-voltage connection could provide power to more than 200 homes.

Due to the wide range of loads in the network, the generators were used in Power Management System (PMS) mode. This meant the second generator would start up only when demand on the first went above 60% capacity. When demand dropped below 40%, the first generator would shut down. PMS mode reduces wear on the lead unit and avoids having the second generator only run on light loads. The generators change priority when the lead set achieves 80% of its service hours. This balances out the running hours and allows both generators to be checked and serviced equally during a job. “With the PMS mode, these Atlas Copco generators are some of the most flexible units available on the market today,” says Michael Yeadon, Service Manager at Generator Power.

02


A MAGAZINE FROM ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE – NO. 2 / 2014

16

SMART SOLUTIONS

BLAST IN THE PAST

A quarry in Latvia tried blast-free mining in an effort to reduce its environmental impact, and the results were so successful that it made the approach its main mining method.

PHOTO KIMMO ALAKOSKI KNAUF LATVIA PRODUCES construction materials in Sauriesi near Riga, the Latvian capital. Its gypsum quarry is a few kilometers away, and until recently the gypsum was excavated by drilling and blasting. To decrease blasting impacts on the environment, Knauf tried blastfree mining. The company invested in a Liebherr R974 excavator equipped with an Atlas Copco HB 7000 DP breaker. Originally, the breaker was intended to be used only in areas near residents and the edges of the deposits. Blast-free mining is ideal for brittle stones in a thin layer, and it is more selective for situations where stone quality varies between the layers or when there is undesired material between them. However, after just three months, blast-free mining became the quarry’s main mining method.

03

Atlas Copco’s latest generation of heavy breakers requires less hydraulic input from the carrier while maintaining maximum impact performance. At the Knauf gypsum quarry, the average production of the excavator with the HB 7000 DP breaker attachment has reached a target of about 1 100 tons every 15-hour day. In blast-free mining, the logistics chain is key. An efficient loading machine with a skilled operator and enough transportation capacity can increase productivity, because the breaker unit can focus on breaking the rocks. When the breaker is well positioned and stable, the operator can optimize excavated rock size according to the capacity of the crusher. Minimizing the breaking means higher productivity and lower costs thanks to reduced fuel consumption and less wear on consumables.


A MAGAZINE FROM ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE – NO. 2 / 2014

17

Technical Documentation Managar Marie Sjöstrand and Technical Writer Liang Tong make sure the platform is user-friendly.

SEARCHING MADE EASY

In Spain, an Atlas Copco dealer found that the Parts Online platform streamlines the hunt for spare parts. TEXT ERICO OLLER WESTERBERG PHOTO ANDERS EKENBERG RAMÓN POUS, manager and founding partner

of Comercialización Fortcop, Atlas Copco’s official dealer in Spain’s Catalonia region, was impressed when he first encountered Parts Online, Atlas Copco’s new user-friendly platform for finding spare parts. Pous used the tool on his iPad while a colleague found and ordered parts using a desktop version. “Parts Online is a very attractive option, giving us the chance to have all the catalogues updated and at one place, to search for parts and place an order in a minute,” Pous says. The system is gradually being expanded with data from former models and acquired brands. Comercialización Fortcop is a relatively new company set up in the wake of Spain’s

economic crisis. Founded in 2011 by two managers of a larger company that had seen hard times, Fortcop has now a staff of seven and a workshop of 800 square meters for service and sales of Atlas Copco breakers and demolition equipment in Catalonia (which includes Barcelona), Minorca, Ibiza and Andorra. Last year the company had revenue of about 1 million euros through sales (including 32 Atlas Copco breakers, more than half of them secondhand) and repairs and maintenance services. “We have only local customers, and our market is still very depressed,” Pous says. “But we see that our competitors are only focusing on sales. That gives us an additional market opportunity, since we offer technical service and aftermarket products as well.”

04


18

CS I S N ORE

CS I S EN FOR

SI N E FOR

A MAGAZINE FROM ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE – NO. 2 / 2014

TOOL CSI

In this br a new sect ndBuild help ion, detect tr s you ou and incre bles a p r o du c t i v s e ity.

When working tools are looking worse for wear, it’s important to be able to diagnose the problem correctly. Below are eight different kinds of tool victims – and the solutions to keep the job going. TEXT LINAS ALSENAS PHOTOS ATLAS COPCO

GOING GRAY MUSHROOM HEAD THE SPIRAL Description: Initial crack on the outer surface of the tool Spiral steps through the cross-section of the tools Appears mainly on chisels

Description: Mushrooming on the tool tip Causes: Working too long on one spot without repositioning the working tool

Causes:

Hydraulic breaker is too weak for the application

Cutting edge is following the natural rock structure

Remedies: Improve handling

High torsion stresses Occurs mainly in parallel with bending strain Remedy: Use either moil point or blunt tool

Switch to a bigger hydraulic breaker

Description: Initial crack on the outer surface of the tool Rough, light-gray surface in bending direction Appears mainly in the lower wear bush area. Causes: Seizures Incorrect working angle Insufficient lubrication Working tool is used as a crowbar Remedies: Improve handling Improve lubrication Use lower bronze wear bushings Shorten the working tool length to minimize forces


A MAGAZINE FROM ATLAS COPCO CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE – NO. 2 / 2014

19

INTERNAL ERROR Description: Initial crack in the inside Fracture develops from inside to outside Cause: Raw material fault Remedy: Contact Atlas Copco

CHIPS AHOY Description: Chipping of material at the retainer bar recess Causes: Worn retainer bars Blank firing Hydraulic breaker is too powerful for the application Remedies: Avoid blank firing Change start-up mode to AutoStop Choose a smaller hydraulic breaker

THE TIP-OFF Description: Fracture on the tool tip Look for reinforcements in the material Causes: Local material overload Hitting on steel girders Remedy: Avoid local material overload

Use shorter working tool for less accelerated mass

ROUGHED UP Description: Galling on the surface of the tool Cause: High surface pressure Incorrect working angle Levering with the tool Insufficient lubrication Remedy: Improve handling Improve lubrication Use lower bronze wear bushings Shorten the working tool length to minimize forces

BREAK AT THE RETAINER BAR Description: Fracture in the retainer bar area Causes: High tensile stresses Blank firing Pulling a locked tool out of the rock/reinforcements Hydraulic breaker is too powerful for the application Remedies: Avoid blank firing Change start-up mode to AutoStop Move breaker slightly during operation Choose a smaller breaker Use shorter working tool (less accelerated mass)

ICS

NS E R FO S SIC N E FOR


LAUNCH PAD ROLLING GREEN

The Kubota D1105 diesel engine is now standard for the smallest range of Atlas Copco tandem asphalt rollers – CC800, CC900, CC900S and CC1000. The engine produces 18.1 kilowatts (24.3 horsepower) and is fully compliant with the latest emission regulations (Tier 4 Final) and the latest U.S. transient testing requirement. While it must use ultra-low-sulfur fuel to fulfill U.S. emission legislation, it can be run elsewhere with regular sulfur fuel.

ON THE MOVE

The popular QAS 60 generator has been updated to improve transportation efficiency. A significantly smaller footprint allows for 12 QAS 60 generators to be carried on a 45-foot truck, or for 11 units to be fitted into a standard 40-foot container. The new generator’s Perkins engine delivers the same output and performance as before. The only major change is the alternator, which is now a smaller Leroy Somer model.

EVERYDAY VALUE

Powered by Honda engines and designed for compaction work in confined areas, the completely redesigned Atlas Copco LT5005 and LT6005 rammers in the 50-kilogram and 60-kilogram weight class have easier handling, more uptime and longer service life. The new, slimmer design facilitates handling close to walls and posts or in narrow trenches. It also boasts low operator hand and arm vibration and retains the same high level of compaction efficiency.

BRIGHT DESIGN

The new QLT H50 light tower uses four 1 000-watt metal halide lamps to reliably deliver lighting for a versatile range of situations – worksites, events or emergency situations. The robust construction includes a vertical hydraulic mast with a maximum height of 9 meters and 340-degree rotation, supported by four stabilizers. An integrated control panel sequences the start-up of each lamp to minimize the risk of alternator and ballast failures.

INFO ON THE GO

Atlas Copco introduces the Construction App, a mobile and tablet app built for customers’ needs. Users can access a product’s information and spec sheets, request quotes and information, find the nearest Atlas Copco service location, watch application videos and more. Many of these features will be available to play off-line. Coming live end of November in both Apple and Android platforms.

PMI 3492 0269 01

SLIMMING DOWN

The new EC range of Atlas Copco medium and heavy hydraulic breakers consists of six types and is suitable for carriers of up to 45 tons. With a good price-performance ratio, these breakers are designed for rough applications. They feature advanced control technology, such as an energy recovery system and an integrated control valve to optimize performance. An integrated nitrogen piston accumulator ensures high-impact energy, safe start-up and smooth operation.


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.