A host of machinery manufacturers are planning to introduce a range of new equipment at Bauma this year that will include concentrating on optimised switching systems and high-quality material to relieve pressure on cutting tools.
These changes will be supplemented by better ergonomic design of the operating units, combined with automatic function processes. New levelling systems have also been announced, which enable intuitive operation even of the smaller cutters.
Efficient laying of the thin-layer cold surfaces is carried out using special machinery. These machines comprise several silos and tanks for the aggregates, plus an electronic metering system to ensure a constant high mix quality. Pave widths vary between 2m and 4m; the mixing capacity is around 90 tonnes or more per hour. The manufacturers of these machines generally cater to the entire palette of applications – from repair work such as applying bitumen emulsion to thin-layer cold applications and isolated repair of cracks and potholes. In all segments, the aim is to create machinery and equipment that is as flexible as possible, capable of being fitted without major alteration to a wide range of local-authority vehicles or vehicles owned by the construction companies.
In future, the manufacturers will be concentrating even more on intuitive, safe operation, through easily identifiable function groups optimised for use on building sites.
The centrepiece of all the large-scale machinery, whether milling machines, recyclers or pavers, is the engine. For the individual system suppliers and their OEMs, performance is indeed still the prime concern, closely followed by the need to observe the latest emissions regulations issued by the American EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), the EU and other industrialised nations.
Bauma is the world’s biggest international trade fair for machinery in the building and construction, building-materials and mining industries and will be held at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre in Munich, Germany, between the 23 and 29 April 2007.