Construction

An updated H120 GC hammer. (Image source: Cat)

Caterpillar has updated several of its GC hammers, turning them into more durable and high-performance pieces of equipment

The versatile GC hammers are designed with large hammer tool diameters and deliver high-impact power in order to quickly break through tough materials encountered in a range of application such as road construction, trenching and demolition. The updated Cat H130 GC, H140 GC, H160 GC and H180 GC hammers feature powerful hydraulics and quick access to maintenance areas to increase productivity, improve uptime and reduce costs, according to Cat.

“Earlier this year, we updated the H110 GC and H120 GC models, and they have been well received by our customers,” explained Tom Munch, senior product consultant. “Expanding these feature upgrades to the H130 GC through H180 GC models gives customers a full range of durable and reliable hammer work tool solutions fully validated and matched to machines from the 10- to 55-ton class sizes.”

Durable, effective and easy to maintain

To increase production and efficiency at the jobsite, Cat has aimed to combine power with fast impact frequencies. The new hammers have large tool diameters from 155-185 mm and have high impact power.

Moreover, durability is ensured through the standard high-vibration adapter alongside power cells made of high-quality alloy steel enabling a two-stage heat treatment process. Hydraulic components are also shielded from damage by heavy-duty side places to boost reliability.

Besides durability, Cat has also taken pains to improve and simplify the way maintenance is performed on the equipment. With quick and easy access to maintenance areas already hallmarks throughout the GC hammer line, the new models now feature a slip-fit and 90-degree rotatable lower brushing for easy replacement in the field. These help to reduce service time and extend service life.

Daily tool inspection and grease points are accessible from ground level with the hammer mounted on the machine. According to Cat, this enhances safety and reduces the time for routine maintenance. Finally, reinforced connecting hardware and easy bolt tightening help to provide strong, durable joints to extend the hammer life.

Cat has also made headlines recently for introducing its new Dynamic Energy Transfer solution the can transfer energy to both diesel-electric and battery-electric large mining trucks while they are operating. Learn more in the recent issue of African Review available now.

Jon Lopez, Yanmar CE's new president for the EMEA region. (Image source: Yanmar CE)

Jon Lopez has been named as the new president of the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region for Yanmar Compact Equipment (Yanmar CE)

Reporting directly to José Cuadrado, CEO of Yanmar CE and joining the CE executive leadership team, Lopez has been tasked with driving forward the company’s strategic objectives and maximising operational excellence across the territory.

“The EMEA region offers tremendous opportunities for growth, and I look forward to working closely with our talented team to deliver innovative, customer-focused solutions, while driving operational excellence across the region,” remarked Lopez. “Together, we will continue to strengthen Yanmar CE’s position as a leader in the compact equipment market and build a more sustainable future for our customers and communities.”

In pursuing these ambitions, Lopez will draw from his extensive experience within the industry, having worked across within it for more than 20 years. Joining from his previous role as senior vice president of truck and mounted forklift at HIAB, his skillset has been identified as one of the missing pieces of the puzzle which will help to advance Yanmar CE’s goals in the region.

“We are excited to welcome Jon to the Yanmar Compact Equipment team,” commented Cuadrado. “With his extensive experience and strong leadership in international business, he will play a critical role in our mission to achieve sustainable growth in the EMEA region and position Yanmar CE as a leader in the compact equipment market.”

Tshegare Moletsane, SANRAL’s transformation officer, explaining the importance of the scheme. (Image source: SANRAL)

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has unveiled a new Contractor Development Programme (CDP)

The new initiative is part of the organisation’s Horizon 2030 Strategy and Transformation Policy which aims to foster the growth of black industrialists across the construction value chain. Specifically, the new CDP is targeted at supporting black contractors in the Northern Cape and was introduced to the local community by Lehlohonolo Memeza, chief corporate affairs officer at SANRAL.

“If an infrastructure doesn’t have pillars, it will collapse,” commented Memeza. “We’ve seen we can’t operate if we don’t make transformation our centre and stronghold, so it’s been elevated to a pillar, and this Contractor Development Programme accompanies it.”

The CDP is aimed at addressing the challenges faced by contractors in the ‘missing middle’ of Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) grades, focusing on grades 5CE to 7CE. These contractors often face difficulties in securing work, obtaining experience and developing their businesses. The programme aims to bridge these gaps by providing contractors with access to SANRAL projects, as well as critical support such as training, mentoring and financial assistance.

Tshegare Moletsane, SANRAL’s transformation officer, added, “An industrialist is vital to us because we don’t want a situation where, when part of the construction value chain encounters challenges, the Contractor Development Programme, and ultimately SANRAL, suffers.”

He continued, “A black industrialist is a producer. You are not going to be constrained by anybody, you are going to produce to your maximum. We really want you guys in the next five years to match the big fives, to really resource you, to give you a platform that you can really prove yourselves and grow. That’s a mindset that we want to move you away from being a subcontractor mentality to really start playing with the big boys. We really need your support and your focus.”

A more inclusive construction industry

Through the programme, SANRAL aims to improve the overall performance of contractors in terms of financial viability, innovation, competitiveness, quality and employment practice. It is also designed to increase the participation of black women, people with disabilities, youth, and military veterans in SANRAL projects in order to create a more inclusive construction industry.

This was praised by Thandi Solo, a representative of the South African Women in Construction organisation (SAWIC) and a contractor, who said, “I appreciate SANRAL for the good work you are doing by actively prioritising transformation, particularly by targeting women.”

The new programme could help contractors take advantage of the flurry of construction activity being spearheaded by SANRAL in South Africa. Last month, the organisation suggested it expected to award a further R3.8bn (approx. US$212mn) by the end of the year. Click here to learn more about this story.

BOD3 3D Construction Printer with Material Delivery System Onsite. (Image source: COBOD)

COBOD International, a supplier of 3D printers for the construction sectors, has unveiled the BOD3 3D Construction Printer

For 3D printing of real concrete, the new solution is equipped with an extendable ground-based track system and advances the construction process by eliminating downtime. COBOD, which has more than 80 printers distributed across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Africa, stated that the model is the most advanced 3D printer launched to the market so far and has already been tested in Angola, Indonesia and Bahrain.

The heart and key feature of the new BOD3 3D printer is the advanced extendable ground-based track system. This system enables limitless extension along the Y-axes (length), expanding the printable area to cover two or three buildings, and reducing setup time to a single installation for multi-building projects.

"The global housing crisis demands a more efficient construction solution that is faster, more efficient, and scalable,” remarked Henrik Lund-Nielsen, founder and general manager of COBOD. “The BOD3 is our answer to this challenge. Drawing on years of research and expertise, we’ve designed the BOD3 with innovative features, making it our most cost-effective and efficient model yet for multiple low-rise buildings. Its design supports high-volume, linear production of houses, enabling mass production without compromising quality. The fact that six units have already been sold before its official launch speaks volumes about the BOD3’s market demand and the trust our customers place in our technology.”

Like its predecessors, the BOD3 boasts a modular design that facilitates customisation, enabling it to adapt to customer wishes. Moreover, its operational stand combines the control and monitoring of both the 3D printer and supplementary equipment in one system. The Advanced Hose Management System (AHMS) transports 3D printable material from the materials delivery system to the printhead via hoses secured within E-chains, minimizing physical labor and optimizing material flow. With the addition of the dual dosing system for additives, operators can better control the concrete and adapt it to onsite environmental conditions. By introducing additives directly at the printhead, the system reduces drying time between layers, speeding up the overall construction process.

The field trials carried out so far have proven the solution’s ability to speed up construction and print with real concrete. The customers who deployed the BOD3 – including Power2Build in Angola – also reported faster project execution with near-zero downtime between individual buildings on the same site.

Excitement is building in the construction industry as 3D printing technology continues to prove its worth. Recently, Holcim and Amazon have invested in 14Trees, a company which established a name for itself by pioneering the delivery of the first 3D-printed house in Africa. Click here to discover the full story.