Miita Makheman Riobot

Article Excerpt
An innovative new robotic cutter for reinstating sewer laterals has been introduced to the sewer rehabilitation industry in North America by American Pipe & Plastics Inc., Binghamton, NY.

Two AM Trim Hydrocutter models are available.

* The AT-100 is for use on pipe with diameters from 4 to 9 inches; and

* The self-propelled AT-200 for pipes ranging from 8 to 18 inches in diameter.

What sets them apart from other cutters is how the cutting tool is powered. Unlike the pneumatic tools widely used today, the American Pipe & Plastics (APPI) tools are driven by high-pressure water.

This means that AM-Trim hydrocutter tools are more powerful and cut more effectively than conventional equipment, says Charles Munson, APPI sewer rehabilitation manager.

"Because air is compressible, pneumatic motors may stall during cutting," says Munson. "However, water is incompressible, so when water raider high pressure is used to drive the cutting motor, much greater torque is developed than can be achieved with a pneumatic motor of similar size. Therefore, a hydro-powered motor will continue cutting at loads that would stall the typical pneumatic cutter. Consequently, less time is spent backing the cutter away front the material to allow the cutter motor to start spinning again. The additional power and torque of the hydro motor allow it to turn larger and more aggressive cutting tools than conventional pneumatic cutters, providing faster cutting through even tough materials like fiberglass."

Both AT-100 and AT-200 models include built-in, self-cleaning CCTV (closed-circuit television) cameras, eliminating the need for a separate camera system.

Minimal access

Munson says that because a camera-cutter "train" is not required, an AM-Trim cutter installation requires access from only one manhole, rather than access at each end of a lined pipe as is necessary when using other cutting systems. Also, a winch at a downstream manhole is not required.

"The AT-100 is positioned with push rods from either an upstream or downstream manhole," explains Munson. "The AT-200 is mounted on a hydro-powered wheeled chassis and is 'driven' into position by the person controlling the cutting operation."

Both systems are compact and portable.

"The AT 100 has features that make it especially well suited to work in smaller pipelines," continues Munson. "The cutter can be configured to fit into a lined four-inch diameter pipeline. The rear section of the cutter can be made to articulate, allowing the cutter to negotiate offsets mid bends in the tight confines of a lined small-diameter pipe. Even with its small size and flexibility, it still has the power to cut through the toughest liners."

In addition to the cutting head, the AT-200 has an optional milling head used for hard cutting operations such as removal of protruding taps. The milling head is a gear box connected to the hydro motor which decreases the speed of the cutter and greatly increases the cutting torque.

Basic components of the cutting systems are: tool cutters; cable reel and cable including water supply hose; control and television cables; control box with CCTV viewing screen; and push rods for positioning the AT-t00. High pressure water is provided...