EXECUTIVE HIRE SHOW REVIEW
Breaking development
Alan Guthrie reports on the Atlas Copco tool which was the winning product in the Innovation Trail.
The Finalists on the Innovation Trail at the Show are selected according to several key industry criteria, such as addressing Health & Safety issues, worthiness of inclusion in any hire fleet and, of course, genuine innovation. Atlas Copco’s RTEX pneumatic breaker was selected as the Winner from the shortlist of ten candidates that had been chosen earlier from 36 eligible entries. The judging panel ‘mystery shopped’ each one during the Show and decided that the RTEX covered the broadest range of relevant criteria.
In developing the tool, Atlas Copco reviewed the fundamental mechanism used in pneumatic breakers which discharge air whenever the piston moves up or down. The RTEX is designed to only consume air on the return stroke. Air from a chamber on top of the breaker is used to push the piston down without discharging any compressed air, and this allows the piston to be longer and heavier, to improve the energy transfer from the stroke mechanism to the chisel. The manufacturer says this also reduces vibration, because the pressure on top of the acting piston is constant, removing the need for vibration damping. Atlas Copco says that, overall, these developments reduce energy consumption by 50%, as well as decreasing weight by 25%.
By moving the valve to the bottom of the breaker the operation is said to utilise minimal energy and give high impact power. Weighing only 25kg, the RTEX is claimed to offer the breaking performance of 30-35 kg models and is more compact, making it easier to work in tight areas and giving a more comfortable working position.
Stiff handles are fitted to give users control over the machine regardless of how hard they push down, and integral air cushions are
incorporated to both the operator and the breaker during extreme use. The manufacturer says that this makes it easy to operate when making the first cut. A soft-start function is also included to control the slow release of energy as required.
The RTEX is designed to combine light weight and powerful performance.
A chisel has been specially designed for use with the tool. Designated the RHEX, it has been developed to maximise the transfer of power from the piston to the ground, and is manufactured to be lighter than conventional chisels for ease of handling. It also has a concave design to remove broken material for better performance and to reduce the risk of jamming.
The Innovation Trail judges recognised the practical significance that such technological developments represent. Since the tool is claimed to offer the capability of a 35kg breaker in a 25kg unit, hirers could stock one pneumatic breaker model instead of two. Similarly, the reduced air requirement means that a smaller compressor would be required to power the RTEX, or two breakers could be run from one machine, giving operational flexibility. Users would also appreciate the decrease in fuel consumption, giving cost savings and environmental benefits.
“We were thrilled to win the Innovation Trail,” said Phil Skinner, Atlas Copco’s National Accounts Manager. “As a manufacturer, we are always trying to develop new technology, and we had some good discussions about the RTEX with hirers on the stand. We used to offer two breakers, the 27kg TEX 230 PE and the 32kg TEX 280 PE, but the RTEX has superseded them both because it combines the lightweight of the former with the power of the larger tool. Hirers can achieve better utilisation, and users can reduce their operating costs.”
• The Atlas Copco team celebrate their success on the stand. 13 01442 222350
www.atlascopco.co.uk
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