Construction Machinery ME March 2020

ISSUE 101 20 MARCH 20

PLUS

ION S N E M I D D R I H T E TH ISITS THE

CMME V L ARGEST WORLD’S ER 3D PRINT

IT Y EX TRUDINXGTQRUAULSIONS

GULF E INIUM M U L A E H PU TS T TION C U R T S N I N CO

P U G N I R E POW

ORS GENERAT

EN T M E L P M I ON I S G R E E R K A E H M RT OR O T F A S R E E I N G E E G R AT T S L U A H LONG-

r nar ow FAR-REACHING YET

Agility is the key to reaching confined spaces. At only 1.45m (4 ft. 9 in.),

the ultra-narrow width of the Snorkel S2755RT fits in places where a standard width machine would have difficulties.

While it can reach a maximum working height of 10.1m (33 ft. 1 in.), this machine is also lightweight and can be towed on a car trailer between jobs. Add to that rugged 4-wheel drive and optional bi-energy for a highly versatile scissor lift that can go the distance on all terrains.

FIT TO GO FURTHER

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL Snorkel™ at +44 (0) 845 1550 057 or visit www.snorkellifts.com Š2020 Snorkel. All rights reserved.

CONTENTS MARCH 2020

36

6_NEWS The latest news from across the region and further afield.

12_SHINING IN VEGAS North America’s largest construction show, CONEXPO-CON/AGG to be held in Las Vegas, will focus on new launches of machines and technologies.

16_EXTRUDING QUALITY CMME speaks to Christian Witsch, CEO of Gulf Extrusions, an Al Ghurair Group company, about its contribution to the ME’s architectural landscape.

20_THE THIRD DIMENSION CMME visits the world’s largest 3D printer at Acciona’s Dubai facility and learns how the company is developing new 3D printing technology.

10

24_LANDMARK BY THE WATER Upcoming waterfront destination in Abu Dhabi, Al Qana, is set to become a key player for business, lifestyle and entertainment in the emirate.

10 SPOTTED Y IN GERPMERA16N00-3i VÖGELE SU ilds road paver rebu e in Karlsruh

R E W O RAW P E L E A SE S

. machinery nstruction co f o d rl o the w leases from The latest re

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ra ucts and st ING UP R E h new prod it w W s O cu P fo _ t 36 Eas and Middle makers exp DAM 8 Generator N AMSTER g lock.

I T N A L P ippin ING ERR’S MIX t helps build the world’s largest sh H B E I L _ 0 4 plan 5 concrete bilmix 3.

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12

20

24

2

EDITORIAL M ARCH 2020

GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR RAZ ISLAM raz.islam@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5471 MANAGING PARTNER VIJAYA CHERIAN vijaya.cherian@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5713 EDITORIAL EDITOR ANIRBAN BAGCHI anirban.bagchi@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5715 SUB EDITOR AELRED DOYLE aelred.doyle@cpitrademedia.com

FUTURE DIMENSION Not too long ago, construction was something that required tremendous manpower. Earthmoving was an undertaking that needed able bodied men with picks and shovels attacking the earth, exerting their strength. Buildings and structures were built on the sweat and toil of such men. Progress was slow and often at grave costs to their health.

Then came a wave of mechanisation. Big iron replaced the hand shovels, picks and axes. Iron bucket on the ends of excavators and loaders, and blades in front of dozers scooped up or pushed aside earth by the tons per hour. The result was much faster construction and lower overheads in the form of less people required for the job – and consequently less people to suffer health hazards too.

And now, we are on the cusp – or some might even say already well inside – of the next wave. That of automation, as epitomised by 3D printing technology. At many jobs-sites the world over, no longer are workers, bricklayers and masons working the concrete, the clay and the other ingredients that go into making the roofs and walls of our buildings.

Increasingly, in the current scenario of today, entire sections of buildings are being built off-site in sheds and plants, then brought to the site and simply joined together to form the building the architect to civil engineer intended to make. Whether it’s latticed facades, intricate designs, or even roofs, walls and columns of incredible shapes – the complexities that can be achieved with new construction aids such as 3D printers was unthinkable only decades ago. And it all comes pre-fab, ready to be stacked and joined on top or beside each.

The result is the requirement of even fewer workers and infinitely faster construction.

At CMME, while we have been monitoring and chronicling this change for a while now, it was brought home to us like never before when yours truly visited the 3D printing facilities of Spanish giant Acciona in Dubai. We bring you a report on the visit, from which we could not come away but with the conviction that this is the next dimension of construction, that the next wave of our times is here. Much as mechanisation reduced the need for manpower in construction, 3D printing has the potential to not only reduce it further but also to reduce the need for mechanisation itself.

Elsewhere in this issue, we bring you another futuristic element in construction – the world of aluminium facades and extrusions. Our second visit to a facility this month was to the Jebel Ali, Dubaibased plant if Gulf Extrusions, where we saw with awe how raw, square ingots of the metal were moulded into the most complex shapes and sizes. Some such products from this plant have made structures iconic such as the Burj Khalifa and the Louvre, Abu Dhabi possible.

And why not? As the head of Gulf Extrusions told us, this is the new dimension of construction, where if one can dream it, another can build it!

ADVERTISING SENIOR SALES MANAGER BIPIN SONEJI bipin.soneji@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 433 2856 SALES MANAGER BRIAN FERNANDES brian.fernandes@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5479 DESIGN ART DIRECTOR SIMON COBON simon.cobon@cpitrademedia.com DESIGNER PERCIVAL MANALAYSAY percival.manalaysay@cpitrademedia.com MARKETING MARKETING AND EVENTS EXECUTIVE AYSHA SULTAN aysha.sultan@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5498 ADMINISTRATION EXECUTIVE ZAARA KHAN zaara.khan@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5470 CIRCULATION & PRODUCTION PRODUCTION MANAGER VIPIN V. VIJAY vipin.vijay@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5713 DISTRIBUTION MANAGER PHINSON MATHEW GEORGE phinson.george@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5476 WEB DEVELOPMENT ABDUL BAEIS SADIQ SIDDIQUI FOUNDER DOMINIC DE SOUSA (1959-2015) PUBLISHED BY

The publisher of this magazine has made every effort to ensure the content is accurate on the date of publication. The opinions and views expressed in the articles do not necessarily reflect the publisher and editor.

The published material, adverts, editorials and all other content are published in good faith. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publisher in writing.

Publication licensed by Dubai Development Authority to CPI Trade Publishing FZ LLC. Printed by Printwell Printing Press LLC.

Anirban Bagchi Editor, CMME

CPI Trade Media. PO Box 13700, Dubai, UAE. +971 4 375 5470 cpitrademedia.com © Copyright 2020. All rights reserved.

35 TONNES OF STRENGTH AND PRODUCTIVITY When we set out to make our 35 tonne excavator, we wanted to put strength and productivity first.

So we put in a Volvo D8 engine to give it high performance yet with superb fuel economy. We gave it a Volvo CareCab – acknowledged as being probably the best operator environment in the market today, with climate control as standard. And we gave it a strong, reinforced undercarriage and frame to help it survive even the roughest of terrains. We believe this makes it the best excavator in its class.

We think you’ll believe it too. Talk to your local Volvo dealership today.

volvoce.com

4

ONLINE M ARCH 2020

MOST POPULAR

FEATURED

CONSTRUCTION

EXPERT OPINION: COMPLEX EPC ENVIRONMENTS GETTING A REBOOT WITH AI

5,300 active construction projects currently ongoing in KSA

CONSTRUCTION

Besix Group wins infrastructure development contract in Dubai

Feature: SNC-Lavalin – The importance of evolving

CONSULTANT

Drees & Sommer says digital innovation is key driver for ME construction industry growth

CONSULTANT

Latvia inks deal for country pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai

CONSTRUCTION

Abu Dhabi to develop $735m residential project on the coast of Al Dhafra region

READERS’ COMMENTS

Interview: Speeding forwards – Interview with Virgin Hyperloop One’s Harj Dhaliwal

I really enjoyed the opinion piece Complex EPC environments getting a reboot with AI by AspenTech’s Paul Donnelly but I do think it raises aged-old questions in the industry. I think we are all aware that artificial intelligence – aka AI – is already in our lives to varying degrees. For one, I can’t go on my phone without recommendations to me based on what I’ve said and not what I’ve searched (I find it quite useful but I can understand why it perturbs some people!). I still think the industry is very much the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’ situation when it comes to technology such as augmented design and the such like – and nor is it useful to the small contracts and projects that make up the bulk of work in the market (beyond the complex EPC jobsites referred to in the title).

Furthermore, while we work in an age off the shelf freeware and relatively cheap solutions, it’s just a shame that we haven’t yet got machine that tells us which one to pick.

Name withheld by request

BE TOUGH TACKLE ANY TASK

BOBCAT COMPACT TRACK LOADERS FACE ALL CHALLENGES At Bobcat, we develop loaders, excavators, telehandlers and more than 100 attachments to get all your construction jobs done. For over 60 years, our machines have proved how tough they are on site. But instead of looking back, we’re constantly focusing on the future: our high standards drive our innovation.

WE OFFER AN UNMATCHED RANGE OF COMPACT LOADERS WITH: high pushing force low ground pressure high versatility with 30 construction attachments

Agility, durability and versatility all come as standard – but for extra peace of mind, benefit from our extended warranty and planned maintenance program.

All you can expect from compact equipment: agile, durable and adaptable.

FIND OUT MORE AT

WWW.BOBCAT.COM

Bobcat is a Doosan Company. Doosan is a global leader in construction equipment, power & water solutions, engines, and engineering, proudly serving customers and communities for more than a century. Bobcat and the Bobcat logo are registered trademarks of Bobcat Company in the United States and various other countries. © 2020 Bobcat Company. All Rights Reserved.

S W NE 6

POST-ACQUISITION RESTRUCTURING

JACK VAN DEN BRINK TO HEAD MAMMOET MIDDLE EAST

JECTS, O R P W E N OFFICES, W E N , S E HIN AROUND K O NEW MAC O L E IVES – W T A MONTH I T S I I N H I T W E NE W WHAT’S N T A N O I G THE RE MIXED RESULTS FOR HAULOTTE Powered access heavyweight Haulotte Group has reported a decline of 9% in

Global heavy-lift and move specialist

revenues for the

Mammoet has confirmed details

last quarter of

of an expanded regional structure

2019 compared

and the appointment of regional

to the year before

managing directors following its

but has said the

recent acquisition of ALE, with

full year outlook

Jack van den Brink appointed as

for last year is

head of the Middle East region.

expected to

The company said its business

be better than

organisation now consists of five

2018. The French

regions in order to reflect the

Famco launches Volvo Uptime Centre in region

manufacturer

operational footprint of the newly

of MEWPs and

combined business. The regions are

telehandlers said

Asia Pacific (APAC), Europe & Russia

its revenues for

(EU/R), Latin America (LATAM), Middle

Q4, 2019 were

East (MEA) and North America (NA).

Al Futtaim Auto & Machinery Co. (Famco UAE) has launched the Middle East’s first Uptime Centre supported by Volvo as it “looks to raise standards of customer service to even higher levels in 2020”.

According to the company, owners of both Volvo Trucks and Volvo Construction Equipment will now benefit from upgraded standards of support at the Famco UAE. workshop facility in Dubai Investment Park.

The facility features technical bays to ensure efficient servicing and unplanned repairs are dealt with in an efficient manner.

Fleet and equipment owners will also be able to get advice and access to fleet management systems which will enable designated uptime bays, updated workflows, and provide better managed access to Genuine Volvo Parts and specialised technicians.

For truck owners, the Dynafleet fleet management system provides constant updates on a vehicle’s performance,

$144m. Meanwhile,

roles mirror these five regions and will

stable volumes

be occupied by established figures

in the global

from across the company’s culture.

MEWP market

Apart from Van den Brink, the other

saw Haulotte

appointments are John Halfweeg

post revenues

for APAC, Wouter van Noort for

of $661.6m for

EU/R, Sergio Vannina for LATAM and

2019, up 8%

Martijn Kuijpers for NA. All regional

year-on-year.

managing directors will report to

Asia-Pacific, was the only strong growth market in 2019 for Haulotte with sales up 15%, mainly on growth in China and Australia.

Mammoet CEO Paul van Gelder.

making it possible to pinpoint critical data and take prompt action to reduced costs, improve vehicle utilisation and allow for the quick re-deployment of assets, explained Famco UAE. At the same time, equipment operators can use the CareTrack advanced telematics service which allows machine problems to be caught before they occur, while also improving technical response time and downtime resolution speed.

“Our customers are central to everything we do, so it was a logical decision for us to enhance our services by establishing the Middle East’s first Uptime Centre,” said Vladimir Knezevic, managing director, Famco UAE. “This will allow us to better support our partners, providing further reassurance that when they choose a Volvo truck or construction machinery, they are actively prioritising increased uptime and maximising profit, whilst reducing downtime and any negative impact on their investments.”

approximately

The regional managing director

“Our regional managing directors are a strong representation from both Mammoet and ALE, and as such provide a good foundation for preserving the best of both cultures as we continue to integrate and optimise our operations,” said Van Gelder.

“Importantly, their experience as seasoned engineered heavy lifting and transport professionals will ensure that our newly expanded capabilities deliver the very best value for our clients, wherever they are in the world.”

8

NEWS ROUND-UP M ARCH 2020

GCC FLEET EXPANSION

HERTZ DAYIM PLACES ORDER FOR 93 GENIE UNITS

Hitachi appoints new distributor for Jordan

JCB TO LAUNCH POWER PACKS JCB is launching a range of power packs to support its growing line

Hitachi Construction Machinery Middle East Corp. has appointed Manaseer Machinery Trading (MMT) as the distributor of its equipment in Jordan.

An agreement signed by the two companies in January applies to Hitachi’s mini and medium range of excavators, and ZW wheel loaders, with the provision for both companies exploring the option of

increasing the product range further in the future.

Manaseer Machinery Trading (MMT) is headed

by Mohammad Manaseer, CEO, and is part of the Manaseer Group founded in 1999 and owned by Ziad Al Manaseer. MMT supplies equipment for the mining, quarrying and construction sectors in Jordan and offers sales, parts and product support with its mobile workshops, providing 24/7

overage throughout the country. The company plans to expand with a new 55,000sqm facility near Amman airport.

“We appreciate the strong and proactive support we received from Hitachi, (which is) famous for durable and reliable machines. Our customers are expecting return on investment and with Hitachi we are building strong relationships and securing customers for life, hand in hand with 24/7 technical support,” said Mohammad Jaber, GM, MMT. “Although the construction Industry in Jordan has been facing challenging times, the country is now in a phase of transition. With our fresh set up in combination with a strong customer base, we look at the future with confidence.”

of fully-electric machinery, offering zero-

Middle East equipment rental major

emissions

Hertz Dayim has concluded an order

electrical back-up

of 93 mobile elevated work platforms

to remote and

(MEWP) with Genie, featuring a

urban construction

broad mix of the manufacturer’s

projects. The range

new generation, high-performance

has four or eight

hybrid, electric and diesel-powered

automotive quality,

telescopic and articulating boom

maintenance-

lifts, scissor lifts and vertical masts.

free lithium-ion

Chris Brocklehurst, country

batteries delivering

director, Kuwait, at Hertz Dayim,

outputs of 5kVA

said: “Following a long and in-depth

to 15kVA, in both

study, we chose Genie for its niche

single and three-

hybrid and electric technology, as

phase supply.

well as the superior working envelope

They are designed

of the Genie SX-180 boom and the

to easily last

Genie Xtra Capacity boom lift line.”

more than 2,000

The new order from Hertz Dayim

full charge and

includes a 56m Genie SX-180

discharge cycles, or

boom lift equipped with the Genie

over 10 years.

Lift Connect telematics solution and 33 Genie XC boom lifts that, with an increased lift capacity of 300kg unrestricted and 454kg restricted, offer twice the lift capacity than the industry standard, said a statement from Genie.

GOLDHOFER UNVEILS NEW STEPSTAR SEMI LOWLOADER

BREAKBULK 2020 A SUCCESS The third Breakbulk Middle East (BBME) 2020 in Dubai, the GCC’s breakbulk and project cargo exhibition, saw a record-setting 3,300 participants on its first day, an increase of 24% over the 2019 edition.

Over 125 exhibitors participated in the exhibition.

Goldhofer has ad ded a new gene ration of STEPSTAR self-tra cking semi lowl oaders to its extensive range of heavy-duty an d special transpo solutions. The th rt ree- to five-axle semi-trailers off haulage busines er ses details such as an intelligent load securing sy stem, a range of accessories and user-friendly op eration. Goldho fer says the new product is an ideal choice for everyday haulage operatio ns with maximum axle loads of 12t and payloads of up to 70t.

9

Genie raises the bar with new boom lifts Genie has unveiled a new generation of S series telescopic boom lifts globally, which are available for delivery to the Middle East starting June.

The Terex-owned AWP brand said the new machines are “rightsized for completing work-at-height applications, such as general construction, maintenance, inspection and painting tasks”.

According to Genie, the S-60 J telescopic boom offers “the essential performance that operators need to get work done at height using a jibbed boom with an

unrestricted platform capacity of 300kg, an 1.8m jib, a low 7,550kg operating weight, and compact chassis design offering a working height of 20.5m, a horizontal reach of 12.3m and 56.4cm of ground clearance to clear obstacles”.

Sean Larin, Genie product manager, Terex AWP, added: “This new addition to the Genie boom line offers rental companies the opportunity to increase their rental return on invested capital (rROIC) by mixing their fleets with a variety of Genie booms, matching the right boom according to jobsite needs.

ALL IT TAKES !

All products and services on www.wackerneuson.com

“Within a rental fleet, the Genie S-60 J model complements the popular heavylifting Genie S-65 XC (Xtra Capacity) model, which is well-suited for heavy trades work, such as commercial construction, structural, electrical and plumbing, as well as specialty applications.”

According to Larin, Genie S-60 J man lifts are ideal for work-at-height jobs in construction, maintenance, painting and inspections. And the S-65 XC work lifts are suited for heavy trades applications, such as industrial construction, electrical and plumbing.

MB CRUSHER TO DISPLAY NEW LINE MB Crusher will display its shaft screener range at ConExpo 2020, with demos at its booth S5003 on the show’s Silver Lot. The range was designed to select different types of materials quickly and comprises the MB-HDS214, MB-HDS314, MB-HDS320 and MB-HDS323, with interchangeable shafts for different materials.

10

KIT SPOTTING M APRIL ARCH 2016 2020

VOGELE PAVER REBUILDS GERMAN ROAD A t a rehabilitation project for an urban road in Karlsruhe, the paving team were eager to see the SUPER 1600-3i make its debut with the AB 500 TV Extending Screed. It was the first asphalt job-site that the contractor Oettinger GmbH had ever handled, but not the first for screed operator Marcel Keule, an experienced road construction worker.

“It’s wonderful to breathe in the scent of fresh asphalt mix again, and to have a chance to pave this material with such fantastic technology,” says Keule. On their first job, he and the paving team laid down a binder and a surface course on a short section of urban road, paving across a width of 3.5-3.8m.

One factor made a key contribution to the success of this job-site premiere: ErgoPlus 3. The many advantages of this user-friendly and field-tested operating concept come into play every time a team uses a Vogele machine, be it their very first job or their thousandth.

This is because ErgoPlus 3 was designed according to the principle that even the best machine with the most advanced technology can only really show its strengths to the full if it is as easy and intuitive to operate as possible. ErgoPlus 3 encompasses the operator’s platform as well as the paver and screed operator’s consoles, and incorporates Niveltronic Plus, the Vogele system for automated grade and slope control. The robust

consoles are arranged logically and feature push-buttons for frequently required functions. Operators can feel when the push-buttons have been pressed, even when wearing work gloves. Settings made less frequently can be called up and altered in the colour display menu.

High-precision paving was required, even on the team’s very first job, with accuracy of ±4mm specified. The Oettinger GmbH paving team opted to use two Vogele multi-cell sonic sensors in order to meet this requirement. The noncontacting sensors scanned the base as a reference. Working together with Vogele’s Niveltronic Plus System for automated grade and slope control, they had no problem achieving the

specified level of precision.

Calibrating the sensors is a convenient process: all it takes is the push of a button on the screed operator’s ErgoPlus 3 consoles using the Quick Set-Up function. The LED crosses on the sensors, then signal whether the specified and actual values for the layer thickness correspond.

The tracked paver itself ensures excellent manoeuvrability during the paving process: it can be turned on the spot by moving the crawler tracks in opposite directions. With a length of just 5.7m, the SUPER 1600-3i paver is designed for compactness, enabling it to deliver a powerful and efficient performance even under complicated conditions.

11

“It’s wonderful to breathe in the scent of fresh asphalt mix again, and to have a chance to pave this material with such fantastic technology”

12

SHOW PREVIEW M ARCH 2020

SHINING IN VEGAS

AS THE CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT INDUSTRY CONGREGATES FOR THE TRIENNIAL CONEXPO-CON/AGG MACHINERY SHOW, THE LEADING BRANDS ARE RAISING THE STAKES WITH THEIR NEW LAUNCHES OF MACHINES AND TECHNOLOGIES FOR BOTH THE NORTH AMERICAN AND GLOBAL MARKETS

W

i th more than 38,000 registrations received between January 10 and 17 alone, CONEXPO-CON/ AGG, North A m e r i c a’s largest construction machinery show and the world’s second largest, looks to be in rude health.

The registrations came as the early-bird deadline came to a close on January 17 and set a record for total registrations received in a single week by the event.

At CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020, big iron and tech will share the stage in Las Vegas, USA, from March 10-14, with more new products, thousands of equipment and technology headliners, and hundreds of industry-driven education sessions. It is the world’s second biggest construction trade show for the asphalt, aggregates, concrete, earthmoving, lifting, mining, utilities and related industries, second only to Bauma.

“The show is shaping up to be one of the best ever; attendees and exhibitors will not be disappointed,” said Mary Erholtz, CONEXPOCON/AGG chair and vice president, Marketing, for Superior Industries “AEM (Association of Equipment Manufacturers) and our show

committees of industry leaders are working to deliver an outstanding event focused on the latest innovations, technologies and best practices to succeed in our changing world.”

The event will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center and nearby Festival Grounds, and its connected campus will feature multiple registration areas and hotel and intra-show shuttles.

“We’re thrilled to see this kind of energy and enthusiasm with (the) record-breaking attendee registrations,” says Dana Wuesthoff, vice president of Exhibitions at AEM, which manages the trade show.

“Overall our registrations are pacing well ahead of previous shows, indicating a continued sense of optimism from contractors as they look for new products and innovations to help them succeed in the years ahead.”

According to AEM, momentum continues to build for the 2020 show, as nearly 2,800 exhibitors are set to unveil more than 500 new products and showcase innovations for asphalt, aggregate, concrete, earthmoving, lifting, mining, utilities and more, covering more than 2.6 million net square feet of exhibition space. AEM also expects the show to take in at least 130,000 visitors.

Probably the biggest change from the 2017 edition of the event is the addition of the Festival Grounds. This year, the show campus extends to a brand-new area that will require transportation from the Las Vegas Convention

13

CAT

LAUNCH SPREE ON HOME TURF

American giant and the world’s largest equipment maker, Caterpillar, is pulling out all the stops for its home show, with its CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020 experience includes a mix of static displays, equipment demonstration area, and new services/technologies under the theme of “Your Work Matters.” The 5,574sqm exhibit is in the show’s new outdoor Festival Grounds, which includes the Operator’s Stadium, where the finals of Cat’s Global Operator Challenge and equipment demonstrations take place.

Cat is investing in technology and safety features showcased in more than 30 machines on display, including nine new product introductions from the dozer, excavator, articulated truck and backhoe loader families. The display is grouped in the outdoor exhibit at stand #F4455 on the show’s Festival Grounds.

Among the machines on display will be the new Cat D3 dozer, successor to the D5K2. The new earthmover’s operator cab delivers greater visibility while enhanced controls deliver easier, intuitive finish grading. Powertrain advancements improve fuel efficiency by up to 10% over

previous models. Another new model is the centre-pivot 420XE backhoe loader with seat-mounted controls for low-effort machine control to boost operator efficiency and reduce fatigue.

Inside the demo arena, the new 150 AWD motor grader will show off its all-wheel drive that assists with traction and manoeuvring, allowing the machine to work in any environment. Eco mode delivers up to 10% greater fuel efficiency without productivity loss, while the new mastless 3D Cat GRADE control system gives the moldboard a full range of motion.

The new 725 articulated truck offers new cab features, including assisted hoist, Automatic Retarder Control and Advanced Automatic Traction Control, which reduce operator actions.

Performance improvements include up to 9% increased speed on grades, 8% improved acceleration and a 7% productivity increase.

Cat will also introduce five new wheeled, small, medium and large hydraulic excavator models at the event.

The finals of the Global Operator Challenge, the largest global campaign in Cat’s history, will take place at the Operator’s Stadium inside Cat’s outdoor exhibit #F4455. Nine regional champions remain from over 10,000 operators who took part in local challenges in 30 countries. The winners will be decided on the lowest time for individual challenges and best team performance - and the Global Operator Challenge Champion will be decided based on overall performance.

14

SHOW PREVIEW M ARCH 2020

LIEBHERR

MARKING A MILESTONE IN AMERICA Liebherr is celebrating 50 years in the USA at CONEXPO-CON/AGG this year, pulling out all the stops at its booth #S84321, where it will showcase not just the journey of the brand in North America but also display new models it is launching in several segments, such as cranes and earthmoving.

Among the extensive selection of earthmoving and construction equipment Liebherr is showcasing, both in its indoor boot hand at its outdoor stand #F5258 at the Festival Grounds, are hydraulic excavators, wheel loaders, crawler loaders and tractors, deep foundation machines, material handlers, tower cranes, mobile and crawler cranes. Altogether, Liebherr’s products will fill more

than 4,900sqm of space.

Making their American debut are Liebherr’s Generation 8 crawler excavators, made up of seven models from 22-45t: the R 922, R 924, R 926, R 930, R 934, R 938 and R 945. Two machines of the product range, R 926 and R 938, will be exhibited for the first time in America at the Liebherr booth. The highlights of the new crawler excavator generation include higher engine power, a heavier counterweight for higher bucket capacities, and minimal fuel consumption. Another feature is the optimized load curve, which

Center, a hotel or elsewhere.

“It is right off Las Vegas Boulevard, and it’s kind of adjacent to the Circus Circus hotel,” Wuesthoff says. “It’s sort of down the street from where the Gold Lot used to be.”

The old Gold Lot is currently under construction. It previously hosted companies exhibiting cranes and aerial lifting equipment, but the Las Vegas Convention Center is building a new exhibition hall on that site.

“Starting in 2023, that will be a new exhibition hall feature and part of the show campus for

Along with global and regional launches, Volvo will showcase its uptime and productivity services and reveal new concepts in autonomous, connected and electric machines.

yields reduced fuel consumption.

Two new cranes for the American market, the LTM 1650-8.1 mobile crane and the LR 1800-1.0 crawler crane, are also making their debuts.

The LTM 1650-8.1 is available with

ConExpo-Con/Agg,” Wuesthoff says.

While the Festival Grounds is situated further from the Las Vegas Convention Center than the old Gold Lot, show planners have a number of transportation options for visitors to access the Festival Grounds.

“There have been a lot of questions ever since we announced this new, extended campus – mainly about the logistical things of the show,” Wuesthoff says. “Things like: Are we going to have enough buses? Are we going to have enough food outlets? Rest

54 and 80m telescopic booms. In designing the new eight-axle crane, Liebherr focused on maximum load capacities. The LTM 1650-8.1 travels with an axle load of 12t complete with its 54m telescopic boom and the front supports. The LR 1800-1.0 is designed as a powerful industrial crane for jobs with a luffing jib and derrick system, such as power plant construction and the petrochemicals industry.

Liebherr will also present four wheeled loaders, including an L 566 XPower with power-split travel drive.

Also showcased will be the L 550 for less emission-regulated markets.

assured, our internal show planning teams have been hard at work for two-plus years to work on all of the different logistical things.”

“We have shuttles running all over the place. You can get from your hotel to the Festival Grounds, or from your hotel to the Las Vegas Convention Center and in between and back again – wherever you may need to go.”

The exhibits aren’t the only attraction at the event. According to the organisers, visitors have plenty of education options to choose from, and the Tech Experience that launched

VOLVO

FULL TECH AHEAD Volvo CE’s 5,574sqm of show space in Las Vegas will see the Swedish giant present 30 of its machines and related uptime and productivity services, including a number of global and regional launches, at its outdoor booth F3432 located on the Festival Grounds at CONEXPO 2020. Volvo CE will be joined by sister companies Volvo Penta, Volvo Trucks and Volvo Financial Services, who will be presenting the latest engine, truck and financial offers. Likewise, Volvo CE’s other equipment brands Terex Trucks and SDLG will be present at the show.

Melker Jernberg, president,

Volvo CE, says: “Our presence at CONEXPO is set to be our best yet – with a fully immersive technology experience to highlight

the changing face of construction.

Innovation has long been a part of our DNA, and we are especially proud to be bringing it to the mainstream with the unveiling some game-changing launches at this year’s show. We look forward to seeing you there.”

Anchoring the booth are show-stoppers from both the largest and smallest models in the Volvo range.

At the compact end of the spectrum, visitors can get hands on experience operating Volvo CE’s electric compact machines, the L25H loader and ECR25 excavator.

The biggest iron in the booth will

be the heavy-duty EC950F crawler excavator, Volvo CE’s largest excavator which is now available globally, and the R100E rigid hauler.

Volvo’s full force of excavators will be front centre in the booth, including the new EC300E hybrid excavator, now available in North America, featuring industry-first hydraulic hybrid Volvo technology.

In road machinery, Volvo will debut the 8ft class P5110B tracked and P5170B wheeled pavers, which benefit from simple controls and proven technology.

Volvo will also reveal two new concept models that herald where the company is taking connected, electric, and autonomous machines.

15

KOMATSU

INTELLIGENT AND AUTONOMOUS MACHINES Komatsu will debut several product and technology advancements for the construction, waste, forestry, energy and aggregates industries at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020.

Across 40,000sqft feet of exhibit space, Komatsu’s booth N-10825 will demonstrate how technology, data, equipment and service solutions leverage digitalisation to control costs, timelines and resources. The Japanese giant plans to unveil patent-pending technology and equipment at two special events during the show.

Komatsu will display nearly 25 machines, including models new to the North American market, as well as machines that have been

recently introduced. In addition to construction, this year’s booth will include focused areas of solutions for the quarry, energy, waste and forestry sectors.

New technology offerings include My Komatsu, an allinclusive digital e-commerce solution for fleet management, equipment monitoring and parts ordering, accessible from any connected device.

Among the machines featured on the floor will be D51i-24 and D61i-24 dozers configured with patent-pending proactive dozing control. This industry-first technology enables operators to

in 2017 is back for a second go-around.

“We really do have a stellar line-up of education – 150 sessions – and they focus on different industry issues, trends, management [and] applied technology,” Wuesthoff says.

“We are fortunate to have some excellent education partners.”

The Tech Experience is yet another offering visitors can take in. It will have two locations this year – one in Silver Lot 3, with the other at the Festival Grounds. According to Wuesthoff, the Tech Experience is designed to offer

use machine control from “grass to grade”. As the machine moves, it records terrain data. Using real-time conditions and that terrain data, the system makes calculated decisions about whether to cut and carry material, spread or fill that material, or whether

visitors a few different takeaways.

“One is to inspire the younger attendees of the show. Another one is growing your business today, presenting new products and emerging technologies for the construction industry, and telling people the benefit of why you should start using this. The other is that it’s a future vision showcase, presenting a preview of emerging technologies, tools and solutions of tomorrow – things that are going to have a dramatic impact on our industry in the next five to 10 years.”

The highlight at Hitachi’s stand will be a sneak peek of new technology to provide even greater efficiency on jobs, such as the TRIAS II threepump hydraulic system for faster cycle times.

to perform finish grading.

Komatsu will also conduct educational training seminars at the event beginning on March 11 with the topic Equipment Operator Best Practices for quarry managers and site foremen to have a better understanding of how to maximise machine operation efficiencies.

On March 13, Komatsu experts will host an educational training seminar titled Autonomous Haulage: Lessons Learned from Surface Mining, to share lessons learnt and current best practices for successful implementation of autonomous haulage technologies in varied environments.

Yet another newer offering at the event is ConExpo Connect, which brings the industry together online. ConExpo Connect was launched in late 2018.

“This is a reflection of how people are getting information now,” Wuesthoff says.

“We know equipment buyers are looking for multiple ways to stay informed about products and learn about what’s going on in the industry – attending trade shows, reading industry publications. Part of that is doing research online.”

HITACHI

JAPANESE IRON Hitachi will showcase a broad selection of its excavators at its booth #N12525 in CONEXPO-CON/ AGG this year. The Hitachi booth, which will be part of John Deere’s large North Hall exhibit, will also feature opportunities to meet with product experts and preview new technology.

“We’re excited to show CONEXPO attendees what our iron will do,” says Jonny Spendlove, product marketing manager, excavators, Hitachi Construction Machinery – Americas. “Hitachi’s iron will allows us to create and develop the latest technology

and equipment, so our customers’ iron will deliver the ultimate

efficiency, reliability and durability.”

Hitachi will display a range of models including the ZX345USLC-6 and ZX245USLC-6, both reducedtail-swing excavators, which are the newest additions to the Hitachi construction line. The compact ZX60USB-5 and standard, full-size ZX350LC-6 and ZX470LC-6 will also be showcased.

Each excavator provides a unique blend of components and technology that maximizes productivity and extends uptime.

Beyond equipment, Hitachi

will also be giving a sneak peek of new technology that will provide even greater efficiency on jobs. The new technology, which will roll out later this year, is another innovation in a long line of advancements, which includes Hitachi’s exclusive TRIAS II three-pump hydraulic system that provides multifunctioning performance and some of the fastest cycle times in the industry. With the ZX345USLC-6 and ZX245USLC-6 on hand at CONEXPO-CON/AGG, visitors can learn more about the three-pump system, which enables operators to maximize productivity without sacrificing fuel economy.

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INTERVIEW M ARCH 2020

EXTRUDING QUALITY

CMME VISITED GULF EXTRUSIONS TO SEE HOW ITS PRODUCTS ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THE MIDDLE EAST’S ARCHITECTURAL LANDSCAPE. IN THE FIRST OF TWO REPORTS, WE PRESENT AN INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTIAN WITSCH, THE ACCOMPLISHED CEO OF THE AL GHURAIR GROUP COMPANY Could we start with a short introduction about yourself?

I have been in the aluminium industry for over 27 years now, starting in the flagship plant for the Hydrosapa group in my home country, Austria. I was able to devise some innovations there which are today used throughout the global aluminium industry.

This allowed me to quickly rise to the corporate level, supporting the company’s extrusions plants globally.

When Hydrosapa made a big acquisition in the US, I moved there to help improve the performance of the American plants.

I moved to South America when similar acquisitions followed in Brazil and Argentina.

Upon returning to Europe a few years later, I took charge of extrusion operations in Austria and then in Germany and Poland, becoming responsible for Eastern European extrusion activities as managing director.

Afyter this, I was appointed as the MD for the UK and VP for Europe and Asia.

Then Hydro and Sapa merged, becoming the biggest aluminium extrusion company in the world at that time with 150 plants in the world.

In this new setup, I became global VP for all operations and was also taking care of all operational improvements, optimisation of extrusion lines, investment programmes and high-performance technology in all these areas. In 2017, I got the opportunity to become the CEO of Gulf Extrusions.

What is your perception of the Middle East market in the sectors that Gulf Extrusion works in? The region is not known as a manufacturing hub, but there still seems to be some good work going on in the aluminium sector here.

That is correct. You have outstanding companies like Emirates Global Aluminium, which I think is one of the best aluminium billet suppliers in the world. We appreciate the quality of the billets we receive from them; they have excellent capabilities to produce fantastic raw materials for our process. And, as we operate to strict quality standards, we only use the highest quality raw materials. It’s also just next door to us in Dubai’s Jebel Ali area, so the transportation costs are negligible, which is of course a big advantage for us and our customers.

From the perspective of Gulf Extrusions, we are an established and well-recognised company, set up 43 years ago, and we are the leading aluminium extrusions supplier in the Middle East. We also have a proven, fantastic track record of exporting superior automotive products to some of the best-known global names such as Jaguar-Land Rover, where we have been chosen for our capabilities and excellence. Also, in products like split cylinders and pneumatic cylinders, we are sole suppliers for companies of the calibre of Norgren, a leading name in Europe. So, we are doing very well in terms of technical expertise and in terms of having superior capabilities to

17 Gulf Extrusions uses some of the best raw materials, equipment and process to produce aluminium extrusions that are well known for their quality in the region’s construction arena.

“Generally, we always get the more complex and difficult extrusion jobs in the industry coming to us. It’s well known in the industry that if you need customised solutions where extrusions are concerned, you go to Gulf Extrusions”

produce very complex and difficult products.

Of course, the main area of our engagement here in the region is in the architectural and construction industry. Cities in the region, such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and others, are full of impressive architecture. The tallest building in the world – the Burj Khalifa - has a lot of aluminium in its façade, which we are proud to have contributed to.

There are numerous other fantastic buildings in the region that bear our signature.

When you look at the Dubai Frame, for example, and see its shining, beautiful, golden appearance, the aluminium products that make up its façade have all been anodised here at Gulf Extrusions. The gold shine is our touch to the Dubai Frame and we are very proud to be a part of this fantastic construction environment. When you drive down cities in the region you see buildings with our products everywhere, so we are a part of the landscape.

When you look at the metro stations, for example, we have been significant suppliers to all of them. We have contributed to so many prestigious projects all over the UAE that the list is endless – projects such as the Louvre and others in Abu Dhabi and many projects in Dubai have been built with our products.

So how does Gulf Extrusions work in the construction sector? Do have a set range of architectural products or do you go into consulting with customers and custommake whatever is required for a project?

We deliver architectural products, solutions and services. We have our own architectural product range, which we supply to the big building systems companies. In this range are items such as windows and doors, which are pre-defined products that only vary in, for example, how big or how wide a door or window is. Also, the specifications of these products can vary from high to low depending on the size, or whether it’s installed on the very top of a high rise building or in a villa. We have these products in our regular products range.

And then you have the exciting stuff, which is of course all the architectural special projects with specific products. These can include a new tower or museum, or some representative building. We may produce between 50 to 100 new dyes tailored only for such a single project.

The way it works in architecture is that you have a pre-design phase, when somebody has an idea for something new. Then comes the design phase, followed by several improvements in the looks and design, and maybe even in the cost. This is the refining of the initial thought to something more tangible.

And then it comes to the point where it gets commissioned and built - and at the very end comes the facade. By then the time

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INTERVIEW M ARCH 2020

pressure is already very high, which means the capability to deliver even extremely complex shapes in a short time becomes crucial. And this is where we have invested heavily over the last few years to lift our capabilities to master even the most complicated shapes in the best way as fast as possible.

So at what stage does Gulf Extrusions get involved in a project? Is it right at the end, or do you collaborate with the designers and architects from the very conceptual stage?

We like to get involved as early as possible, because we can always help the architect and final designer with our input on the very detailed solutions we can provide, thus making the whole project much more successful. This can mean, for example, adding some features into the profiles or making components of a project easier to match and fit together We are introducing in the range of roughly 1,000 new profiles every year. We have a library of 30,000 shapes and 30,000 different projects. So, this is a huge knowledge base of experience in the industry.

When we take on a project, we get a design from the client according to how the designers imagined the final extruded product. Our endeavour is always to meet the requirement of the designers as closely as possible.

We do not reuse any existing shape we may have in our library. For every unique project the customer is the owner of the shapes and of the dies. We cannot use it for any other customer. That is intellectual property and it’s something we will always respect.

But our experience in delivering so many

Among the many iconic projects Gulf Extrusions has supplied to is the Dubai Frame, whose golden facade is of aluminium anodised in the company’s Dubai factory in Jebel Ali.

projects has allowed us to develop an expertise and a knowledge base. So when an architect or designer comes to us with a requirement for certain shapes – and this can be for one, 50 or maybe 100 shapes - we look at those requirements and give our input, suggesting small modifications wherever necessary.

We like to do this from the very beginning, because then the speed of implementation will be much faster and the likelihood of success would be much higher.

This is crucial to make a product of a better

quality and competence in this industry. We have in our team employees who have been with us for many, many years and have the highest competence and knowledge in this field. This is something that is highly appreciated by our customers.

Unlike our competition - who quickly accept new jobs without doing any review or survey but then are unable to supply the profiles later on, causing the whole line to wait for finalisation of the building – customers come to Gulf Extrusions because they

“When you look at the Dubai Frame, for example, and see its shining, beautiful, golden appearance, the aluminium products that make up its façade have all been anodised here at Gulf Extrusions”

19 appreciate our high quality and adherence to timelines. So, generally, we always get the more complex and difficult extrusion jobs in the industry coming to us.

It’s well known in the industry that if you need customised solutions for extrusions you go to Gulf Extrusions. We may be slightly on the upper end in terms of price when compared to the general industry, but if you need a cure for a problem you need to go to the specialist.

So, what is it that has enabled Gulf Extrusions to become such a specialist and gain recognition in the industry?

A lot of this has to do with the kind of machinery and equipment we have and the processes that we use. When you extrude complex profiles, you need a stable and advanced extrusion press line. It’s all about deflections and there are huge forces involved.

The front of the press is called the front plate and it is 1.5m of solid steel that takes all the pressure of the force used in the extrusion process. If you compromise on the choice of your extrusion press line from the beginning, this is something you can never make up later on as you’ve compromised on the very structural integrity of the equipment.

So if you buy a cheaper press to start with and there are some cases in the industry of this - you will never be able to reach the tolerances and precision level required to supply a quality product to customers.

The bigger the profiles, the more important this aspect becomes. When you have a big die, every little bit of deflection multiplies and effects the size or shape of the finished product. So we have an 11-inch press and the designs we’ve extruded include, for example, structures that enable a glass facade 3m by 30m in dimension to be held up without any cross members. This is where innovation comes into play and it’s how we stay ahead of the competition. It’s not just important to make a die quickly, you also need to have it working successfully. We’re investing more effort upfront as this makes projects turn out smoother later on.

Please tell us about how Gulf Extrusions contributes to sustainability in its products and processes.

Sustainability is already built-in in a small way when we talk about aluminium products and facades. By going for aluminium you’re already reducing the weight of the structure, so the entire building can get lighter. You’re reducing resource requirement at the very beginning.

Then we’ have what we call thermally broken aluminium for window solutions, which increases the energy efficiency of a building. You need less energy for essential

tasks like cooling or heating. These window systems have polyamide between the outer and inner aluminium hulls, which disconnects the aluminium, so you don’t get direct conductivity in the metal. Aluminium is a very good conductor, so to prevent fast heat transition from the inside to the outside, we need something between the two layers. In principle, it is like a vacuum flask, where the two layers are held separate. The end result is that in the lifetime of the building, you end up consuming a lot less energy.

Christian Witsch, CEO of Gulf Extrusiions, is a 27year veteran of the global aluminium industry, having served in key positions in Europe, Asia, North and South America for global giants.

Another sustainability advantage of aluminium extruded products is ease of recycling. It takes only a fraction of the initial energy needed to produce the product to recycle it at the end of its life cycle. So you take an aluminium window frame, for example, and at the end of its life as a frame, you take it apart and remove the glass and sealing, you shred the metal and load it into a remelt furnace, melting it down to produce something with exactly the same properties.

It is a lot more recyclable than some other metals, such as steel. You need only 5% of the initial energy that you used to make the first product from mining to finished item when you use the same piece of aluminium again.

This is not only a very low energy requirement for reuse but it can also be recycled as many time as you want. When you look at the portion of aluminium being recycled globally, it is growing significantly in any application.

Coming to our production process here, when you extrude an aluminium profile you have so-called butt ends in the press line that are cut away and go directly into our internal remelt plant for immediate reuse. So nothing goes to waste.

On top of this we are installing solar panels on the entire roof of our factory in Dubai to get 8% of our total energy needs from solar energy - quite a significant percentage of the energy consumption of any industrial complex. We are also switching from LPG to natural gas for our other energy needs, moving from methane and propane to ethane, which is less carbon dense and has a much lower greenhouse effect.

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NEW TECHNOLOGY M ARCH 2020

THE THIRD DIMENSION

CMME VISITS ACCIONA’S 3D PRINTING FACILITY IN DUBAI TO SEE THE WORLD’S LARGEST 3D PRINTER AND LEARN HOW THE SPANISH COMPANY IS DEVELOPING THIS NEW CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY

I

t’s a sneak peek into the future of construction. And into the machinery that will be involved to build the next generation of buildings and structures. At a nondescript warehouse in Dubai’s Al Awir area, unremarkable and indistinguishable in almost every way to the numerous other such warehouses that dot the area, a small sign hangs on the gate that announces the name of the company that is doing something pathbreaking inside: Acciona.

From the cavernous depths of the warehouse, the sustainable infrastructure solutions company operates what it says is the world’s largest operational 3D printer using Powder Bed technology.

Taking CMME on a tour of the facility and the equipment, Luis Clemente, COO of Acciona 3D Printing, points to a huge cube-like machine in the centre of the warehouse, and says: “What you see here is a machine that allows greater efficiency and automation of the construction processes.

This 6m by 3m by 2m machine is the largest of its kind in the world.”

He explains that the unit meets growing demand for 3D printed infrastructure and the technology is particularly suitable for generating highly resistant structural parts.

With concrete as base material for the structures produced by the printer, it is an ideal solution for architectural, urban and building applications.

But what was the thought behind developing the machine and the facility, and basing it in Dubai? Clemente takes us back to the development of Acciona’s 3D printer and printing technology for the answer.

“This is a new technology for 3D printing from the innovation department in Acciona’s corporate division. We have been working on perfecting this technology for 6-7 years now, starting from the time we identified 3D technology as the new phenomenon that had the power to transform the market.”

Acciona started with small scale 3D printers, working with them to understand the process and the technology. In course of time, Clemente says, the company understood the potential of going beyond this small scale to more large-scale concrete 3D printing.

“So, we went ahead with developing this technology in terms of the machine on one side and new materials for the 3D printing process on the other. And we looked at both from the architectural design point of view. You have to think a little differently for these kinds of applications compared to traditional building methods, and so we worked on these aspects together to reach a point where we could deliver to a certain level using this new technology.”

A breakthrough arrived for the Spanish multinational giant three years ago, when it executed a significant project - delivering the first 3D printed bridge in the world made with concrete in Madrid. The 12m long structure proved the viability of the

21 Acciona has installed the world’s largest 3D printer in Dubai, meeting growing demand for 3D printed structures from the global infrastructure and construction industries.

“What you see here is a machine that allows greater efficiency and automation of the construction processes. This 6m by 3m by 2m machine is the largest of its kind in the world. We have been working on perfecting this technology for 6-7 years now, starting from the time we identified 3D technology as the new phenomenon that had the power to transform the market�

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NEW TECHNOLOGY M ARCH 2020

innovation from a solution point of view, showing Acciona that it had on its hands something that could be applied to normal construction activities.

“So, from that point onwards it was seen not only as an innovation, as something novel and disruptive, but also as a business.

It was then a matter of getting the right project and delivering. The Madrid bridge project was like a demonstration of what could be done with 3D printing,” Clemente tells CMME. Acciona divided its 3D printing services into three main parts - singular structures; complex structures that are not easy or impossible to do with traditional methods; and work such as sculptures, heritage recovery or replicating artistic and decorative pieces. In Clemente’s words, the company’s 3D print offerings include “structures, sculptures and urban solutions”.

Explaining how the process works, he says: “It starts with a design from a client or may be just an idea even. In both cases we help them develop it and reach a point where we have an actual model to print.

Or sometimes they can already have a digital model ready of the structure they want printed.

“Of course, we have to do structural calculations as necessary, depending on the complexity of the structure to be printed.

For instance, if we’re 3D printing a bench we don’t have too many structural calculations, but when we go bigger and more complex, we have to calculate and check several aspects of process, which is then another separate step in the process. The next step is printing itself, and wherever required, imparting a finish to the printed product.

“When the project is a large one, it will be broken down into components and printed one by one, and then taken onsite and joined together. It sounds simple when I say it like that but of course it’s a complicated and full process of design. We have to figure out where and how we will cut and divide the design into printable pieces, where the joins will be, and how the joining will take place again on-site.

And these are all aspects that are uniquely different in every case.”

There are often complexities to be solved in the structural aspects of a design before it is printed, he adds. “This can be challenging and the challenge mounts with the intricacies of the design. Sometimes a design is computer generated and often if you give enough freedom to the software it will come out with complex, natural shapes, because it tends to imitate nature - and nature is quite efficient but also quite

It is possible to obtain more complex and sophisticated designs using 3D printing technology than traditonal construction methods, such as moulds and formworks, allow.

complex at the same time.”

So, what happens in a case when a client only provides pictures and dimensions of a design or an item he wants to get 3D printed? “That would be the toughest, if you only have the pictures. It is always easier when you have the original object to scan. If it’s based only on pictures, it will be challenging, because a picture is only in 2D. What if in the picture there are details that you can’t see clearly or other aspects that are hidden behind a part of the

structure? That wold be really challenging,” Clemente says.

Referring to a recent 3D printing job that Acciona executed in Madrid, he explains: “We had a recent case where the job was to replicate an architectural piece, an arch, from the original in an archaeological museum in Madrid. So you go there and scan the original model, and you can easily get a 3D rendered model of it based on the scan. And from that point, you work on your digital model, you print and you finish. Because you have the original object to scan, you have all the details you need.

That changes If it’s a picture in only two dimensions; it’s possible as long as you have enough information but it’s not the best option.”

Moving on to explaining the process and particulars of the huge 3D printing apparatus, Clemente says: “If we start from the beginning of the processes, you can see we have three sections in the warehouse, the raw material section, the printing area and the finishing side. In the raw materials section, we prepare the dry mortar or the concrete and feed it to the machine through conveyers. The raw material for a finished 3D printed product is basically concrete, with special properties to match the process. It’s not any concrete; it’s got its own specifications.”

Clemente goes on to explain that the printing process starts with a 3D digital model, with the printer’s software slicing the digital model in horizontal layers, each 5mm in thickness.

“It will then print every one of those layers, one on top of the previous, until we reach the full height. As the material is fed to the printer it accumulates in a buffer, which is going to spread a 5mm layer of dry mortar as if it’s on a sheet of paper.

Then the printing head moves across the entire length of the printer bed, horizontally to and fro, like a dot matrix printer. There are nozzles in the printer head which will apply the liquid part only in the spots and areas where we need the concrete mortar to take shape.

“If we are printing a cylindrical shape, for example the layer that rises will be a full circle. We spread the dry material and we print and repeat, spread again and repeat and we continue doing this up to whatever height is required.

“In the end you will have the printed object surrounded by dry material. That dry material is removed with a vacuum system and taken back for reuse as printing material. When the dry material has been removed, you have the printed object.”

23 Clemente adds that since the printer head can rise up to 2m vertically and travel 6m horizontally, the largest component it is able to print 6m by 2m by 3m, with the last figure being the width of the print bed.

After a piece is printed, it is finished with post-processing work. This is when the small details, too minute for the printing process to deal with, are imparted into the piece.

“Just like a printer has a pixel, a 3D printer has a voxel, a 3D pixel. In our case, our layer is 5mm, so we cannot produce anything below that direct from the printer. And the space between the nozzles is 10mm, so again, anything below that cannot be reproduced with the printer. When we need the small detail for a job, it’s done with postprocess finishing. We get much more than the skeleton out of the printer, almost the full body or 95% of the finished product; only the finer details are then added.”

An advantage of 3D printing. Clemente points out, is that complex shapes can be done without the use of moulds or formwork. “When a design is too intricate, it’s difficult to make the formworks for it and if you are able to make a mould, you couldn’t take the finished shape out of it. So you can get a lot more sophisticated and complicated designs using 3D printing than with traditional methods.”

The finishing stage also has scope for many variations. “We can impart a smooth, granite finish, paint, polish, or have other material finishes up to whatever step a

client needs,” Clemente says.

Although Acciona’s 3D printing facility in Dubai has not been operational for long, it has already delivered quite a few jobs.

“I can’t disclose the details, but we have delivered several small structures such as benches and planters with complex shapes.

We’ve also participated in tenders for general projects, such as the Hatta Gate in Dubai and for a few small service buildings.

And we’ve also done work here for projects abroad, such as some artificial reefs in other

Luis Clemente, head of Acciona’s 3D printing division in Dubai, believes 3D printing has a global future and being located in Dubai makes the operations accessible to customers globally.

parts of the world,” Clemente reveals.

It’s a combination of local, regional and global orders that has vindicated Acciona’s decision to base their largest 3D printer in Dubai, he adds. “We have a smaller, previous version 3D printer in Spain, which we used for the Madrid bridge, for example. But that’s more of a developmental unit, where new applications, new materials and new solutions are tested. This one in Dubai is our largest 3D printer and a productionpurpose machine.

“An advantage of this location is that we can serve any place in the world from here.

Dubai is like a central hub for the globe, you can just put it into a container and ship it anywhere.”

Talking about the future Clemente is upbeat about the future of 3D printing and Acciona’s Dubai facility.

“We think there is enough business to make this a successful venture. There is a future, not just in the region but globally as well. Of course, the Dubai government’s stated aim of making the emirate a 3D printing hub by 2030 is great for us.

Also, the announcement that 25% of all construction has to be 3D printed by 2025 is a huge step in this direction and will be very beneficial for us. Already government departments such as the RTA, DEWA and DIP, and even Dubai Municipality, are pushing this technology, which is going to create a market for us to be successful in with our expertise.

“You can get a lot more sophisticated and complicated designs using 3D printing than with traditional methods”

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SITE VISIT M ARCH 2020

Al Qana is the flagship project of Al Barakah International Investmenrt, with its subsidiary, International Construction Contracting Company, the main contractor.

“In order to meet the world-class standards required, we are collaborating with the bestin-class partners who are bringing their international experience, which also helps in creating a new benchmark in the market�

25

LANDMARK

BY THE WATER

SLATED FOR DELIVERY IN THE LAST QUARTER THIS YEAR, ABU DHABI’S UPCOMING AL QANA PROJECT WILL ENCOMPASS SPACES THAT ENCOURAGE SOCIAL INTERACTION WITH A MULTITUDE OF ENTERTAINMENT AND LIFESTYLE OPTIONS. GAVIN DAVIDS VISITS THE WATERFRONT DESTINATION TO CHECK ON ITS PROGRESS

T

he Al Qana project in Abu Dhabi is an upcoming waterfront destination set to play a key role in establishing the UAE capital as one of the world’s most popular destinations for business, lifestyle and entertainment.

When CMME’s sister publication, Big Project Middle East , visited the project site last year, it quoted Fouad Mashal, CEO of project owners Al Barakah International Investment, as saying: “Al Qana is a destination that will play a key role in supporting the UAE government to realise its vision of enhancing Abu Dhabi’s status as one of the world’s most popular destinations for business, lifestyle and entertainment.”

The developer says its flagship project, which is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter this year, is on track to be completed and operational within that timeline.

As Mashal’s words indicate, this is no ordinary project. There is a considerable amount riding on the success of this upcoming tourist destination. With work in full swing, we were invited by the developer to get an exclusive, first-hand look at the progress being made on-site, and to learn how the project team is working together to deliver this challenging and high-profile destination.

“This is one of the much-anticipated

touristic landmarks in the capital,” says Fouad Mashal during an interview after the site tour.

“The project features seven key districts with 11 buildings spanning over a distance of 2.4km of scenic and picturesque waterfront walkways. Al Qana will provide visitors with state-of-the-art-facilities such as waterside eateries, the world’s first CinemaCity Max theatre, the Middle East’s largest aquarium, a first-of-its-kind lifestyle wellness hub, and in a first for the UAE, VR and e-sports gaming, among other attractions.

“Abu Dhabi has been putting a lot of effort over the past few years to become one of the most liveable cities in the world and the ultimate destination for entertainment.

Al Qana was designed to reinforce the capital’s vision by bringing new spaces that encourage social interactions and will be positioned prominently in the social fabric of the capital,” he adds.

Building the entire project as the main contractor is International Construction Contracting Company, a subsidiary of Al Barakah Holding, the parent company of the developer. Having worked on several large-scale projects, the contractor offers a range of services and expertise, including general contracting and maintenance, design and build of commercial and residential complexes, and manufacturing and installation of light and heavy steel structures.

All of these capabilities were heavily utilised in the construction of the buildings for the

26

SITE VISIT M ARCH 2020

“The exceptional scale of the project, its functional diversity and distinctive architectural design will have an impact on the future social and architectural developments in Abu Dhabi” Al Qana project, Mashal states.

Looking at construction progress, the developer says all 11 blocks are already 100% under construction, while the National Aquarium building is itself 70% complete and ahead of schedule. With the fourth-quarter deadline looming this year, the project team is confident of being on track to deliver and open the project on schedule.

However, given the scale of the project – spread over 1.2km on each side – several challenges were encountered over the

With 11 buildings divided into seven districts and 50% of the total project space dedicated to entertainment, Abu Dhabi’s Al Qana development is scheduled to begin delivery in the last quarter of this tear.

course of construction. The main one came during the shoring, which took almost a full year, the developer says. Another ongoing challenge is that the construction team has to make sure that every element of the project is up to the standards required to meet the high expectations generated for this one-of-a-kind project in Abu Dhabi.

“Due to the fact that it’s the first project of its kind in Abu Dhabi, if not the UAE, we set up high expectations to bring Al Qana to life.

In order to meet the world-class standards

required, we are collaborating with the bestin-class partners who are bringing their international experience, which also helps in creating a new benchmark in the market,” the developer says.

With the developer and contractor related through the holding company, the preexisting relationship between the two has helped encourage a seamless approach towards coordinating the different aspects of the development plans and construction activities on the site.

“Thanks to our inter-group connectivity, our communication activities are well established into a series of steering teams that encourage a unified approach to deliver a world-class project. Most importantly, the CEO and owner is permanently at site to spearhead the plans and activities. This has brought efficiency in the decision-making to keep our programme on track,” the company explains.

This coordination also extends towards working with the government authorities, with the developer explaining that the project team works closely with Abu Dhabi Municipality.

Meetings are held on a weekly basis, thereby establishing a smooth transitional communication and file exchange. In fact, the municipality has been equally keen to support progress on the project and help the team deliver an outstanding social dining and entertainment destination that will measure up against any in the region.

Another example of the project’s commitment to achieving high standards has been in its on-site health and safety policies, with the Al Qana team telling us

27 that there are stringent HSE policies in place to prevent occupational incidents, injuries and harm to people. These are in addition to other protocols that are in place to protect the surroundings.

“We are committed to providing a safe environment at all times, and we do so by holding awareness and training sessions for visitors and staff alike, as well as implementing strict prevention protocols,” the developer outlines.

“The site adheres to applicable local laws and applies internationally accepted HSE practice procedures that aim to spread awareness related to site HSE issues. To ensure our frequent compliance, we regularly go through internal and extra audits to confirm our adherence to our own HSE management system,” the project team says.

One of the most visually striking aspects of the entire project is the distinctive design of the buildings. As the team explains, the promenade lining the canal was inspired by the jagged lines of Abu Dhabi’s salt flats.

This element of the project was designed in a particular manner to achieve a longer, more dynamic and vibrant pedestrian area, the team says.

“Each district of the development is designed to portray its own unique architectural language, which portrays a different design story for each building. The façade cladding material we are using was developed specifically for Al Qana in order to fit the vision of the project.”

Spaces between the buildings were formed and designed as open piazzas with distinctive

QUICK FACTS

AL QANA PROJECT AT A GLANCE Length of walkways: 2.4km Number of districts: 7 Number of buildings: 11 Entertainment space: 50% Delivery deadline: Q4, 2020

Stringent HSE policies are in place to prevent occupational incidents, injuries and harm to people. These are in addition to other protocols to protect the surroundings.

design inspirations. These spaces thus create an enjoyable gathering space for social interaction, all with different ambiences and themes for visitors to enjoy. Furthermore, both sides of the project are connected via built-in pedestrian bridges that cross the canal.

This provides easy access on foot for visitors, while also allowing them to enjoy the open space with the canal flowing under them.

Combined with all the other elements and attractions of the project, these important links between the two sides of the project provide visitors with a singular experience, one that measures up to any regional attraction.

“Abu Dhabi will soon welcome a major landmark that is purely dedicated to leisure and entertainment – people will come to have fun there,” says Fouad Mashal as the interview wraps up. “We are introducing a new exciting concept that will create a vibrant ecosystem for Abu Dhabi. Al Qana’s features were carefully selected to encourage social interaction, provide a healthy, balanced lifestyle and contribute to the happiness of residents and visitors. This is a key aspect of the development, as happiness and well-being ranking are rising in importance as measures of Abu Dhabi’s health, prosperity and success.

“This is the first-of-its-kind destination in the region, with more than 50% of leasable space dedicated to entertainment. The exceptional scale of the project, its functional diversity and distinctive architectural design will have an impact on the future social and architectural developments in Abu Dhabi,” he concludes proudly.

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R E W O P RAW EED TO N U O Y G N I EVERY TH

KNOW

34

30_NEW RELEASES The latest releases from the world of construction machinery.

36_POWERING UP Global generator makers are ramping up their offerings in the Middle East market with new models and facilities.

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NEW RELEASES M ARCH 2020

KOMATSU DEBUTS MR-5 MINI EXCAVATORS WHY GET IT? QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF LARGER KOMATSU MACHINES TO BE LAUNCHED IN A SMALLER PACKAGE AT SAMOTER Komatsu will unveil its new MR-5 mini excavators to the public at SaMoTer 2020 in Verona, Italy, this month, highlighting four models in the range.

The PC18MR-5, PC22MR-5, PC26MR-5 and PC58MR-5 models to be shown at the event are initially aimed for release in the European market later this year, said the Japanese equipment giant.

Simone Reddi, Komatsu Europe product manager for mini excavators, said: “The MR-5 range concentrates the quality and performance of the larger Komatsu construction range into a compact package, and with a unique design concept, the Komatsu MR-5 excavators are sure to stand out on jobsites across Europe.”

The MR-5 mini excavator models are an evolution of Komatsu’s MR-3 product

line and are said to benefit from an array of ‘new and improved’ customer-focused features. Compliant with Stage V emission standards, the four MR-5 models have operating weights ranging from 1820kg to 2720kg and digging depths of 2.3m to 4.1m.

The mini excavators will be on show from March 21-25 at the SaMoTer trade fair alongside another recently released Komatsu model – the WB97S-8 backhoe loader.

Alex Visentin, product manager at Komatsu Europe, said: “Following the successful introduction of the twowheel steering model, the new WB97S-8 brings a range of high-standard features to the Komatsu backhoe loader family.

With a clear focus on safety, the WB97S-8 is a perfect balance between great visibility, operator comfort and productivity, which makes it a perfect match for any customer’s needs.”

SPECIFICATIONS

KOMATSU MR-5 RANGE

SKYJACK INTRODUCES NEW SIMPLE TELEMATICS SYSTEM

Operating weights: 1.82-2.72t

WHY GET IT?

Digging depths: 2.3-4.1m

ELEVATE LIVE DIRECTLY LINKS OPERATORS TO THEIR EQUIPMENT DIGITALLY WITHOUT THE NEED FOR APPS OR PASSWORDS

Emission standard: Stage V Models in range: 4

Powered access manufacturer Skyjack has launched a digital product called ELEVATE Live, which the company says is designed to directly link equipment operators to the machines they’re working on.

According to Skyjack, ELEVATE Live provides access to critical machine information for operators, including the machine’s current state of health, pre-use inspection guides and familiarisation materials through a simple QR code. Putting this information into the operators’ hands gives them more resources than ever before and reduces the workload for rental companies.

“Until now, when operators needed information about the machine’s current state of health, they have limited options,” said David Swan, product manager of technology and innovation at Skyjack. “We’re providing instant access to data for the operator to help them better understand proper battery care, which ultimately saves rental companies money.”

Providing operators live data on machine health has always been a difficult task due to the complexity of providing login credentials to all the personnel on an often-changing job-site.

ELEVATE Live provides immediate access to that data for the operator right at the machine and without the burden of passwords, says Skyjack.

31

SDLG UNVEILS ITS BIGGEST WHEEL LOADER WHY GET IT? DURABILITY, FUEL EFFICIENCY AND HIGH PRODUCTIVITY IN A RANGE OF TOUGH APPLICATIONS SDLG has announced the introduction of its biggest wheel loader to date, the L975F. The 24.9t, Stage III machine has been developed with a focus on durability, fuel efficiency and improving productivity on job-sites, said the Volvo-owned Chinese manufacturer. The L975F can be used for a range of tough applications on construction sites, as well in quarries, mines and port terminals, the manufacturer added.

“We are proud to introduce the L975F to our wheel loader offering,” said Henrik Sjöstrand, SDLG product manager. “We understand customers’ demand for equipment that is going to maximise

the output of any job, no matter how demanding. We listened and our biggest wheel loader is our most durable yet, with no compromise on fuel efficiency or safety.”

The L975F is designed with robust rear and front frames to withstand load distribution. Equipped with a large tonnage driving axle and reliable braking, the model is fitted with a 199kW engine and its transmission uses a HTE205C fixedaxis electro-hydraulic automatic shifting gearbox for flexibility and ease of operation – SDLG’s first machine to use a fully automatic transmission built by Volvo. An integrated cooling system uses intelligent technology to automatically adjust fan speed according to engine temperature, which is particularly advantageous in hot climates.

The standard 4.2m³ bucket with eight bolted-on teeth and two wear plates features

a spill guard plate to prevent material loss.

The maximum dump height, at 3.2m, is supported by a 3.6m boom. The second stage 93 sand filter in the hood of the machine filters over 95% of particles when working in dusty conditions such as mines, to keep the job smooth and efficient.

SDLG says that with the same material load, the L975F’s fuel consumption is almost 50% lower than that of two standard 5t wheel loaders.

SPECIFICATIONS

SDLG L975F Engine power: 199kW Standard bucket: 4.2m3 Max dump height: 3.2m Transmission: Volvo fully-automatic

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NEW RELEASES M ARCH 2020

ASTEC ANNOUNCES RANGER LINE OF COMPACT CRUSHERS WHY GET IT? VERSATILITY, EASE OF USE AND TRANSPORT, TRACK-MOUNTED AND SMALL FOOTPRINT

NEW JEKKO CRANE OFFERS COMPACT VERSATILITY WHY GET IT? HIGH LIFT AND REACH IN A COMPACT DUAL-POWERED MACHINE FOR CONFINED AREAS WITH REMOTE CONTROLLED OPERATION Jekko’s new crawler crane – the JF990 - features compact dimensions (6.75 x 2.14 x 3.45 metres) combined with increased extension capacity of up to 41m, a high max lifting capacity of 21.5t and advantages in transport.

Alberto Franceschini, export sales manager, Jekko, said: “We’ve developed a new machine, a stabilised crane truck on tracks that operates as if it was a minicrane. We’ve merged the experience deriving from the JF545 and the JF365 and have responded to the market requirements for higher performing yet compact-size machines.”

The JF990 is a compact minicrane with variable stabilisation modes and a dual engine, diesel and electric. It is powered by a 55kW Deutz electronic diesel engine and a 13kW three-phase electric motor. The crane can reach 41m in height when using the hydraulic jib and three manual extensions or 38m with an operator basket, which means it can work where a truck cranes cannot reach.

The JF990 can work vertically or horizontally and can also be equipped with a glass pane manipulator, a threeperson hydraulic platform in case of operation with a double articulated joint, and a one- or two-operator basket when using the jib to reach as high as 38m. The hydraulic activation on the jib allows for any additional option to be installed.

The JF990 without counterweight can be transported on a regular truck without requiring an “exceptional load transport”. Its 21.8t weight is ideal when excellent performance is required from a minicrane able to work for all purposes as an articulated crane.

The machine can use a 2.1t standard counterweight for stabilisation on an area of 8.5 x 8.5m as well as a 3t extra counterweight reducing the crane footprint to an area of 7 x 7m. The disassembly system – a fast and automatic quick release system similar to that of much bigger cranes - is managed via the radio remote control.

The JF990 can be entirely managed by a single operator via a radio remote control. Starting/stopping, crane operations, stabilisation, jib or counterweight installation can be carried out by the operator all by himself.

SPECIFICATIONS

JEKKO L975F Diesel engine power: 55kW Electric motor power: 13kW Max lift capacity: 21.5t Max lift height: 41m

American equipment and mining product manufacturer Astec Mobile Screens has announced the launch of a new compact product range said to be ideal for operations on smaller sites.

The Ranger line will comprise tracked models including jaw, impact and cone crushers, as well as incline screens and trommels. Marketed for the construction, landscaping, quarrying markets and the rental sector, the compact equipment will be available through the manufacturer’s network of licensed dealers.

These compact units are able to serve many new markets and the ease-of-use, ease of transport, versatility and flexibility of the compact, track-mounted units make them ideal for smaller operations that require powerful equipment with a limited footprint, said the manufacturer.

Patrick Reaver, inside sales director at Astec Mobile Screens, said: “The new Ranger line will help us reach a wider range of industries and customers. The compact units are going to be a great tool for contractors, quarry operators and many more. We are remaining very focused on providing excellent support for these units, just like our other products.”

Sudhir Rental is one of the leading Power Generator rental and Equipment Rental Company in UAE and Middle East, delivering Rental Power & AWP Equipment to various projects and industries. Our rental equipment can be used for Temporary, Commercial, Industrial, Institutional and Manufacturing applications.

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34

TOP TEN M ARCH 2020

01

REGULAR OIL CHANGES Generators are busy machines and can run through oil and oil filters quickly. Much like a printer cartridge, don’t expect the filters that come with the generator to last long.

Expect to change oil filters every 50 hours of operation. Consult the generator manual and supplier on the intervals, as this can be a maintenance drain if chosen poorly.

02

MAINTENANCE PLAN Most generator maintenance takes place within a six-month period. Inspection is key: is there enough oil, coolant, fuel and so on? Some routine tasks, such as cleaning the air filter, can happen monthly or weekly, depending on the size and workload of the generator. Replacing oil filters and such needs to happen every few months. Do not install and forget.

: N E T P O T R O T A R E N E G R O F TIPS Y T E F A S D N A P E UPKE PRECAUTIONS TO ENSURLEY IC R SUPP E W O SOME BAS P D E ERRUPT T N I N U , E NSETS E G SAF R U O Y ERATING P O N E H W

03

DON’T FUEL IT DIRECTLY Feeding fuel directly into a running generator is dangerous and likely to damage the equipment. There are circumstances and models that allow direct refuelling, but those are exceptions. Always turn the generator off before topping up its fuel, and allow a cool-down period. Diesel generators are not as susceptible to this, but petrol models must be handled with extreme care.

DON’T RUN OUT OF FUEL

tating power by ro te a re c rs r. One Generato g each othe n lo a ils o c magnetic those coils ust avoid is appens thing you m tised. This h e n g a m e d stops becoming ut of fuel: it o s n ru r to evices if a genera y, but the d it ic tr c le e g ck the generatin m it will su o fr r e w o p coils. taking out of those t h g ri sm ti pair magne a very big re The result is w a ne bill or even r. to ra e gen

04

35

05 TAKE OUT OLD FUEL Fuel ages and degrades, even becoming foamy, so you cannot leave it in the tank indefinitely, and firing up a generator with old fuel can cause problems. There is no definitive answer on how long fuel can sit, and aging also varies with the additives used in the fuel. How you store the fuel also makes a difference. If in doubt, replace. The fuel is always cheaper than replacing components, such as injector pumps, that could be damaged.

APPROPRIATE PLACEMENT Generators create fumes that will likely incapacitate you before you even know you’ve been poisoned, so a generator must always be placed in a well-ventilated space.

Even enclosures for generators are specially designed for the best air circulation. You can also damage a generator if it starts running out of air, so make sure the machine can breathe.

CHECK THE VOLTS Measure the voltage coming off the generator with a meter. If it does not match up with what the generator should supply, get a professional inspection done. Also, more volts are not better: a generator that produces more volts than it should is likely running too fast, which can damage it and the equipment connected to it.

USE A GOOD COoRt cDreated

s are n their Power cord in terms of ry a v y e h T ental equal. d environm n a d a lo r e ur cord pow words, if yo r e th o In . in and exposure xposed to ra e it. e e b to g is goin can tak et one that er, you sunshine, g n ly last lo g n o t o n l il of It w oid the risk will also av n o d ocute being electr cable. g in y a fra

09 08

06

USE A TRANSFER SWITCH Never run a cable straight from the generator to whatever needs power. This can result in back-feeding, the electrical equivalent of stubbing your toe on a door threshold while crossing it in the dark. A transfer switch stops this from happening. Some generators have a transfer switch built-in, but never assume as much.

The mistake can lead to damage and even death.

07 10

MAKE IT RUN OFTEN Mechanical equipment doesn’t like standing around. Over time, dust, dead insects and all manner of things can gunk up its parts. Even if you don’t use your generator often, let it run for 30 minutes or so every couple of months.

COVER STORY M ARCH 2020

POWERING UP

36

THE MAJOR GLOBAL GENERATOR MAKERS ARE RAMPING UP THEIR OFFERINGS IN THE MIDDLE EAST MARKET WITH NEW MODELS AND EXPANDED PRODUCTION FACILITIES ON THE BACK OF THE REGION’S DEMAND FOR BOTH BACK-UP AND CONTINUOUS POWER

37

Doosan Portable Power is a young company in the Middle East’s generator space but is already going ahead with plans of manufacturing its entire range for the region locally.

“The long maintenance intervals are a great advantage for rental and telecom applications because it guarantees more autonomy and reduced operation costs, especially for the sets installed on remote sites”

A

paradox about the Middle East is that despite being a power surplus area, the region is still one of the most important generator markets in the world. And despite the general construction machinery sector being overall sluggish for a while now, the generator business is still performing well for some of the most recognised names in the sector.

The Middle East generator and portable power market is nearsaturated with manufacturers, both global biggies and local assemblers. Nevertheless, there is still scope to shine for the best-known in the business, the likes of Doosan Portable Power (DPP), Kohler-SDMO and others tell us.

At Korean powerhouse DPP, Mousa N. Mousa, district manager, Middle East and East Africa, says that the company has found good traction in the market over the last few years and is improving its range, and localising production.

“We have two ranges of products for the Middle East and Africa markets. One is produced in Malaysia and the other one in our plant in Fujairah, UAE. We are looking to expand the UAE production and by the end of this year our plan is have even more production in the AUE for the regional market. Right now, we produce the 20-60kVA range in Fujairah. We’re looking at expanding production up to the 200kVA ranges there and we have a long-term plan to move the entire production for the Middle East and Africa market to the UAE. The plan is to make the UAE the centre of production for this territory,” he says.

“This will be done in phases. The first phase which involved the 20-60kVA models has already been done. The next, which entails moving production of the 80-200kVA ranges here, is being worked on this year. And the third phase will start in 2021 in which we will start producing our complete range here, all the way up to the 750kVA units.”

DPP’s range covers the 20-750kVA spectrum, he adds.

Most of DPP’s units are made using its in-house Doosan engines but the brand also uses Cummins engines as the second engine choice. “In fact, our 20-60kVA units being produced in Fujairah all take the Cummins engines, while for the rest we use Doosan engines made in Korea. This is how it will stay even after we start producing the entire range in Fujairah,” Mousa adds.

DPP is one of the newer players in the region’s generator business and is enlarging its network here. “When we started, we had only two dealers in the entire region. Now that figure stands at 13 and growing, which covers both the Middle East and Africa. Saudi Arabia is the biggest market for us in the region, as it is for everyone, being the country with the largest use and demand,” explains Mousa.

Recently, DPP has partnered with some well-known companies in the region as its dealers and that has really made a discernible improvement throughout the Middle East. Speaking about DPP’s market performance, Mousa elaborates: “In general, most markets in the region are stable at the moment. The UAE market is the one that follows its own tune when compared to the rest. That’s because it is more about re-exporting, so whenever you review the figures of the UAE market, it doesn’t really reflect the reality of how many units are being actually used in the country.

38

COVER STORY M ARCH 2020

In the other countries, we know that what we sell there will mainly be used there, but in the UAE that may not be the case.”

But DPP is riding on the success of its dealers.

It has a policy and a record of building strong partnerships with some of the best distributors in every market that it enters, says Mousa.

“So, in KSA, for example, our dealer is Saudi Diesel, one of the largest operators in this field in the Kingdom. And their excellent presence in the country means that they cover the entire Saudi market for us. Over in Oman, we appointed a new dealer recently called Genserv, a well-known name in the field. While in Bahrain we have MJS and in Kuwait it is Bahrah – well-known and established names.

“Our dealer in Yemen is Blue Triangle, another powerhouse name in that country.

Meanwhile we are represented by Vara in Iraq and in the Egyptian market our dealer’s name is Triangle. We are looking for a new dealer in the UAE at the moment and appointing one is one of our main targets this year.”

In terms of the models and capacities, the popular models in the GCC region fall in the 60-300kVA range, Mousa explains. The 500kVA can sometimes also be included among the popular models, depending on specifics such as the application or the region.

“When it comes to volume, though, the small range of gensets from 20-60kVA makes up close to 70% of the market globally. But when it comes to revenue, this is not reflected in the account books of the major manufacturers.

The bigger kVA models get in the revenues.”

In the Middle East, since the 60-300kVA range covers the construction and contractor’s

DOOSAN 20-60KVA RANGE

THE POWER OF FOUR Doosan Portable Power has reaped rich rewards from its four-model range of 20-60kVA generators it brought to the Middle East and Africa markets a couple of years ago in both 50Hz and 60Hz versions.

As well as construction, rental and agriculture, the new generators have extended the Doosan portfolio to a wider audience to cover applications such as home standby, telecommunications and backup power for small businesses.

The four models – the G20, G30, G45 and G60 – provide prime power outputs of 20, 30, 45 and 63kVA respectively, and all four units are available as open units (XF) or sound attenuated versions

Represented by local machinery heavyweight Genavco in the UAE, Kohler-SDMO has been part of prominent projects in the region and in stand-by power applications at key destinations.

(XW). The equivalent 60Hz versions are also available in a range of voltages between 220V and 480V (Phase to Phase). The standard framefuel tank configuration of the generators ensures autonomy of at least 15 hours at 75% of the load, allowing users to work regular shifts without refuelling concerns.

They are powered by Cummins diesel engines and are covered by a standard warranty of two years and/or 4000 hours on the complete powertrain, which is among the best in the market,

business, it is very high in popularity and demand. Specific countries, such as Yemen or KSA, have their own distinct demands, though. In places with demand for the big capacity models, such as the 1Mw and above, it is used for continuous power and not back-up or stand-by power. The demand for continuous power in Yemen is because its central power grid does not reach all consumers, which leads to demand for local power sources. In Saudi, on the other hand, the demand for the large, continuous power units comes from the oi &

“Many large infrastructure projects in the region, such as the Dubai Canal, were built using SDMO generators during their construction phases”

DPP says. The generators are fully supported by the fast-growing DPP dealer network for the Middle East and Africa, from unit start-up to complete servicing, maintenance and troubleshooting back-up. In addition to dealer parts stock for planned servicing or emergency needs, parts are also available through the Doosan network and from within the Doosan parts warehouse in Dubai.

gas industry when they need to power huge oil installations in the middle of the desert, which are remote places without grid access.

According to Mousa, there are also certain sensitive sectors that use the high capacity models as back-up power instead of continuous. Hospitals and the medical sector, for instance, are critical areas where no power shortage can be allowed. So even their back-up units are high-capacity ones.

“A big challenge in the generator sector in this region is that it is a very saturated market.

It’s not easy to get into such a market, but good products do find traction and we have been doing well. Our market strategy and dealer selection are providing us good results so far.”

Another leading generator maker, Himoinsa, has shipped many sets to the GCC region and has been involved in supplying power solutions to many projects. Its portable units designed to operate continuously and withstand temperatures from -20 to 45 degrees Celsius are popular in the region. The AS4006V model from the series offers more autonomy, less consumption and easier transportability, the manufacturer says. Transport space is optimised by its dimensions and it is able to run 70 hours continuously on one tank of fuel.

Sharing the same design and characteristics, Himoinsa’s 4000 series generators offer robustness and reliability, high performance and a wide choice of features to meet the needs of a very wide range of power applications from prime power in remote areas to stationary units in grid back up. The standard frame-fuel tank configuration of the generators ensures autonomy of at least 15 hours at 75% of the

39 load, allowing users to work regular shifts without refuelling concerns.

Safe and easy access to operation and maintenance areas has been a priority throughout the design of the new generators, Guilermo Elum, managing director, Himoinsa, told CMME a while ago. Accessibility to key areas, including the engine radiator compartment and maintenance points, has been enhanced. The air flow has been optimised throughout the generator unit to meet cooling requirements for locations with high ambient temperatures, without deration impact on the electrical output performance.

“For more than 20 years, Himoinsa has made major investments in the design and manufacture of the 4000 Series. Constant power is critical to people’s lives and livelihoods.

And whether it’s for powering hospitals, telecoms, data centres or manufacturing plants, the 4000 Series provides dependable power 24/7, 365 days a year,” Elum said.

Meanwhile, French generator manufacturer SDMO is not resting on its laurels in the region.

The Kohler-owned company has found considerable success in the region, especially in the UAE where it is represented by local machinery powerhouse Genavco. In a long association, Genavco has managed to establish SDMO as the brand of choice in the installed continuous power sector.

“Some of the many important projects we have provided SDMO generators to include the Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah International Airport and Dubai’s Ibn Battuta Mall,” says Asif Khan, general manager, Plant and Machinery at Genavco. “While all of

Spanish giant Himoinsa’s backup power solutions can be seen in regional projects such as the Festival Centre malls in Dubai and Doha, as well as in oil & gas installations around the Middle East.

these required back-up power installations, we specialise in continuous power projects such as construction sites. Some of the biggest contractors in Dubai use SDMO gensets for their construction projects. Khan Sahib is a good example. In fact, many large infrastructure projects in the region, such as the Dubai Canal, were built using SDMO generators during their construction phases.”

He expects the region’s generator sector to continue steady growth, with the demand for units changing over time to include more

fuel-efficient ones with longer service intervals.

Philippe Forest, communications manager, Kohler-SDMO, says the brand has seen success in the Middle East recently “with big power plants”. Encouraged, the company has brought in new models, among which is a big 1.5mW canopy unit with an in-house engine. Targeted mainly at back-up power, it also serves continuous power needs.

“The engine is very compact. Thanks to it, we managed to put a 1.5mW unit in a canopy, which is unique. It is a key launch for us in this event. This is a 16-cylinder unit, but we also have 12-cylinder ones. And in 2020 we will launch a 20-cylinder engine,” Forrest says.

Global engines and power major Cummins has launched its new HSK78G natural gas generator, targeted at prime and peaking power requirements in sectors ranging from mining to medical applications. The HSK78G has a 78L engine providing a power density of up to 2.0mW and is available in both 50Hz and 60Hz. Cummins says the series is designed to provide “reliable power, regardless of the natural gas source or the climate”, including heat conditions of up to 55-degrees Celsius and extreme altitudes.

Craig Wilkins, director, Cummins Prime Power Segment, says: “(It is) suitable for diverse industries from mining and manufacturing to shopping malls and hospitals. The new generator has been designed to push the boundaries of performance while achieving a low total cost of ownership. An electrical efficiency of up to 44.2% (50Hz) and 43.5% (60Hz) is achieved on a wide range of natural gas down to 70 methane number (MN).”

STAMFORD S7 AND S9 ALTERNATORS

INCREASING POWER DENSITY Alternator manufacturer Stamford launched two new products in the Middle East last year at the Middle East Electricity exhibition held in Dubai.

The Cummins groups brand, which is a major alternator supplier on the global market, made the worldwide launch of its S7 and S9 alternator ranges. Both new alternators were displayed for the first time in the world at the exhibition.

According to Stamford, the S-Range programme was launched in 2016 “as a strategic initiative to reclaim market share in an increasingly competitive low kVA market”. The two new models answer the demands from the market for increased power densities further up the kVA range.

“Designed using CoreCooling

Technologies, the Low Voltage S7 delivers high power density with continuous ratings up to 2.5MVA thanks to enhanced thermal management within the machine.

This optimisation also helps reduce machine dimensions and weight,” says Scott Strudwick, director, global sales and marketing, at Stamford.

The compact design gives ease of integration into existing generating set designs and brings with it upgraded Automatic Voltage Regulator options plus an overall design package that offers improved field serviceability, he adds.

“The S9 is a High Voltage

product that comes with true Class H insultation technology. Designed, tested and validated over an

extended period in partnership with insulation material supplier Von Roll, at component, subsystem and at whole machine levels, this new system can run continuously at Class H ratings of up to 5,000kVA, 13.8kV, whilst still delivering high resistance to the mechanical and thermal stresses seen in rotating machine applications.”

The S9 product also offers both weight and dimensional reductions, ease of integration into existing generating set designs and improved field serviceability. Both new Stamford products also come with the company’s S-Range three-year warranty as standard.

40

THE LAST WORD M ARCH 2020

MIXING .5 3 X I M L MOBI PLIES UP P U S T N A PL R AT U O H R E P TO 150M³ OJECT R P M A D R AMSTE

K C O L H C T U D S L A E S E T E R C N O C R LIEBHER

³/h was an up to 150m capacity of t u tp u o t, in order al theoretic mixing plan concrete ent for the 5 m 3. ix ire u q ilm t the day. u re ob o l essentia s through ly mobile M ak e gh pe th hi y at r’s er s er iv ie iebh ed the ver del pabilit to reliably co Basal select proving its ca is ff t o g an rh in p pl ke ip g yc in sh mix d D approval e largest Liebherr an sign with CSC n site of th de e io er ak ct in m ru ta n st to n co C in co ort as the In order Mobilmix 3.5e ship transp etherlands. id N t w e an rld th o rt o w in p d lock sign and ctive an most im for cost-effe container de one of the its , to ew am ks d n an er e h st k th T Am lution. ible for eal for quic optimum so orts, access ions, it is id p s, at n d n o n u si ea p fo en l s. ro Eu dim on stee project even larger temporary installation of ships with location on Ijmuiden re in d ilt an bu ithin four n w tio be d generation installa relocate world will be e h n th ic ca h in t w ck , an al lo pl “The integrated Sea Can the largest the already 27km North to e ks th an f h o T . th days at the sou ix 3.5-C is also with the sea. , the Mobilm am n d tio er la st m su A in d by for winter connects equipped ng execute ei ly b al is m ti ct p o je The pro ped with a iary n. It is equip Dutch subsid e io th at l, er sa p o Ba ebherr DW off Dyckerhoff d reliable Li r Dyckerh an e st ak bu m ro t W n e of ceme ixer. The D ongs to th in-shaft m el b tw 5 h te 3. ic re h c et w con concr e GmbH, metres of Group and les optimum ic ab b em u ic en n C 5 U 3. i zz n ca to the threeItalian Bu ore e Mobilmix neity, thanks th eople in m ge p o 0 m 0 a ,0 ho s . In 11 a our employs sal g principle duce per h yckerhoff Ba onal mixin ro D si p s. en ie tr r im d un nt of ell suited fo than 11 co double pla t suppliers e mixer is w es th , rg n la . tio e rr di th he f ad t in says Lieb is one o pe changes,” e and cemen ci 3 of et re cr n rm co te tix shor 150m ready-m ject is valued 3.5-C, up to nds. The pro e Mobilmix th ck lo ith even up d ew “W n the Netherla an e r, 60m and th d per hou $7 ce y u d el at ro p m e xi is operated e can b at appro 2022. t. The plant d concret 3 shipping in an n r u pl fo o e ar ed bl ol n u es o pe ir d will be o -MPS contr m as a orld requ wn Litronic al to 300 o ck in the w as lo B r‘s t ff er e o es h ar rh rg eb la The ly via Li ponents for Dycke crete, and e intuitive ion. All com n et at co cr st n f rk o co o to 3 e w ks m th C g rk than at a P 300,000 ria in selectin tenance wo e system portant crite ible for main ss tions and th ra ce r sufficient pe ac o ly ffe the most im f o al o d t , in optim atforms, an e rapid star re pl er d tu w fu t an e s an th ep pl n in t.” erous st mixing ge of locatio g equipmen rt the gen f a rapid chan and workin ction at sho ls du o o to pr r possibility o e fo et e spac concr able to start ited time. A order to be jects with lim o pr n io ct nstru notice for co

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1 A supplement of:

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PROVIDING AN UPLIFT There is no sight more majestic in the world of construction equipment than a giant crane reaching up to the heavens with its wiry framework, its elegant boom or even its huge flat jib spanning across a job-site - ropes straining to pull up a load so large and heavy, it beggars belief that gravity could be defied this way.

This is a sight that is very common in the Middle East, not only in its urban areas with the sinuous, spindly spires of tower cranes building the region’s beloved high-rises, but also out in the numerous oil fields, refineries and petrochemical complexes, where the giant all-terrain, rough-terrain and crawler cranes are hoisting impossibly large components atop cliff-like plants.

But behind all this, there are the manufacturers, the dealers and all the other service providers in the sector.

In this report, CMME brings you news and views of the crane sector, encompassing some of the heaviest lifting jobs in the region, components and technologies that make the sector run, some of the biggest names in the tower crane sector, and the various types of cranes making the sector run.

Anirban Bagchi Editor, CMME

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2

COVER STORY CR ANE REP ORT 2020

HIGH POINT

TOWER CRANE SPECIALIST WOLFFKRAN SHARES INSIGHTS INTO ITS MIDDLE EAST OPERATIONS, NEW DEVELOPMENTS AND PHILOSOPHY, AND HOW IT EMPHASISES PEOPLE AND LEARNING FOR GROWTH

I

t’s a difficult sight to miss, its fantastic futuristic façade covering an equally amazing shape, sitting prominently by the side of one of Dubai’s busiest thoroughfares. Residents of the emirate – and indeed frequent visitors – who use the city’s Sheikh Zayed Road will all have seen the upcoming Museum of the Future, the ultra-modern architectural masterpiece being built next to the twin buildings of the Emirates Towers.

An icon coming up next to another.

What’s equally difficult to miss, especially for those of us connected to the construction and equipment sectors, are the spindly, red latticed towers of the Wolffkran cranes building this new icon – certainly a feather in the manufacturer’s cap. Among many other such feathers.

As Martin Kirby, managing director, Wolffkran Arabia, tells us, the crane brand has been associated with several such iconic buildings in the entire Middle East.

“Over the years, we’ve seen considerable success in this region. We have our cranes at the biggest and the most iconic projects in Dubai and the UAE, and it’s the same in Saudi Arabia. In Dubai you can see our cranes building the Museum of the Future on Sheikh Zayed Road, whereas in Saudi we had 44 Wolff tower cranes on one of the Kingdom’s biggest and most important construction sites around the Masjid Al Haram in Makkah.

3 Wolffkran Arabia has provided tower cranes for some of the most iconic projects in the Middle East with both new units and its own rental fleet.

“You have to remember that the biggest customer of Wolffkran’s products is Wolffkran itself. We have one of the biggest rental fleets in Europe, so if we’re manufacturing cranes to be used in our own rental fleet, they’re made to bring in the best return on investment”

4

COVER STORY CR ANE REP ORT 2020

Meanwhile, in Jeddah we have two Wolff 355B luffers climbing internally on the job-site of the highest tower in the world, while seven more are on the podium,” Kirby tells CMME. Elaborating about Wolffkran Arabia, he explains: “Wolffkran Arabia is a joint venture of Wolffkran and the Kanoo Group for the UAE. We established in late 2006 and it’s been a very strong relationship between a big regional group with its local capabilities and over 120 years of experience, and a global giant such as Wolffkran, which too has been building tower cranes for about 120 years.”

While Kirby heads Wolffkran Arabia, Mohamed Abou el Ezz, senior sales manager at Wolffkran IS, looks after the regional operations of the German tower crane specialist, covering the Middle East and South East Asia.

Presenting a broad overview of Wolffkran, especially in the region, El Ezz says: “We’ve done some extremely prestigious projects in the Middle East.

Wolffkran originally came over to the region at the request of some major contractors. We always had a very strong reputation for good health and safety while providing crane solutions in the UK, and some of the contractors we supplied to in the UK wanted our

Whether its tall towers or intricate architectural builds, Wolffkran’s mobile service vehicles ensure the lifting can go on nonstop.

experts to come into the region when they came in here. So that’s how we expanded into the Middle East, with one or two contractors, and built the business from there.”

Building the business has meant paying the utmost attention to safety and efficiency, and in this Wolffkran Arabia has assiduously followed the lead of the manufacturer. As Kirby explains: “Anything that Wolffkran does,

we make sure we follow the same.

If they recommend a certain way of doing things, we follow exactly what they do and implement it here quickly.

That’s just safe and sound practices and allows us to sleep at night knowing we have done everything we can.”

This has had a very positive impact on safety at the band., and Kirby elaborates: “The safety factors we put in are huge and so effective that our cranes can operate quite close, withstand very high wind speeds and can sometimes free slew. If we are not safe, I would rather not have a crane onsite - this is the philosophy we believe in.”

Following Wolffkran’s lead at Wolfkran Arabia means not just pushing out products but engineering solutions. Explaining what this involves, Kirby says: “We look at what the demands of a project are; we look at what they are lifting, where they are lifting it and what the logistics are. An important thing is, how do you get a crane to the job-site and how you get it out, because there can be costly mistakes in this process.

“We have had jobs where instead of using a 750t mobile crane to get it out, we have recommended knocking down a wall, so we can get in with a 160t crane and save up to $80,000. This is just one example of many things we do. We provide the full package and obviously the crane operator comes in standard these days as well.”

El Ezz adds: “When you do a crane plan, you have to make sure that there is no overlapping and the cranes are be allowed to slew freely. A tower crane is only able to lift its highest loads when it’s free-slewing. If you have a crane that’s been suddenly held against the wind, a load is a huge pressure on the tower. But so as long your calculations are right – and that’s the engineer’s job - you will know exactly what you need to do. You might need to have different sections or put different ties in - all of these can be calculated. And we do all of this.

“We provide the whole package so contractors can come in and focus on

5 looking after their own employees, bring material in and build things. And we can be responsible for the lifting.”

Explaining further, Kirby adds: “We are a crane rental solutions provider.

We are the only company in the region that not only has the support, but the backend and the partnership with the manufacturer, Wolffkran. So, that comes with a lot of advantages.”

A big advantage of Wolffkran cranes is that they are designed with a modular system in mind.

This means the tower sections can be changed around based on the requirements, he adds.

“It’s not something standard, so having a modular system with the base and sections gives you more flexibility when you’re planning a project. And if you have a rental fleet, you are optimising your utilisation component as well, which is very important. But this also requires specific consultations from the manufacturer, which we offer our customers all around the world,” El Ezz explains.

“We are not just a manufacturer; we are more. We operate; we rent; we have all-round expertise. If it’s any kind of consultation to Wolffkran Arabia in Dubai or to any other entity, we provide the entire technical consultation

Wolffkran operates in partnership with the Roots Group in Saudi Arabia and through its UAE joint venture with the Kanoo Group, named Wolffkran Arabia.

wherever our cranes are operating.”

Service is another key aspect that Wolffkran puts lot of emphasis on. The company has the expertise to provide the highest levels of service and both Wolffkran Arabia and the Wolffkran Group count on this as one of the main competitive advantages of hr brand.

“A tower crane is an electromechanical item, so it’s always

going to have some things to be looked after. Wolfkran’s overall quality is never an issue, obviously, as we manufacture to the strictest quality standards in Germany. The important thing is not that you don’t get issues with use, but that you get as few of them as possible, and when you do get any, they are tackled immediately.

I think we are very good at this.

“You have to remember that the biggest customer of Wolffkran’s products is Wolffkran itself. We have one of the biggest rental fleets in Europe, so if we’re manufacturing cranes to be used in our own rental fleet, they’re made to bring in the best return on investment. This means that our crane will last 24 years, will cost less to maintain; it means we can erect that crane in half a day and dismantle it in half a day, and climb it quicker than any other crane. All these things are more important in Europe where labour rates are very high. So, this is what the cranes are designed for. And these are the same cranes that other customers buy from Wolffkran – and derive the same benefits.”

Kirby adds that being both the manufacturer and user, Wolffkran is at an advantage of being the first to discern any operational

WOLF LINK

LINKING THE PACK All Wolff tower cranes are equipped with Wolff Link,

is to reduce

diagnosis and solution.

the lead time

“Our main service centre

by trying to

the company’s electronic

which receives the data is

crane management solution,

located in Germany. Very

diagnose

says Mohamed Abou el Ezz.

often the service centre

the problem

“The idea of the Wolff

and find

itself can resolve the issue

a solution

Link is to give online

remotely through Wolff

access to all crane data and

Link. If it cannot and there is a

operational information, to

technical problem, the service

efficiently run your fleet or

centre directly communicates

tackle crane maintenance

with our nearest warehouse,

can

issues. Faults or problems

which sends technicians with

go and

are talking about here is how

are detected with the Wolff

the required spare parts to

repair the crane on-site.”

we can minimise downtime

Link and communicated to

the site. If no spare parts are

Wolffkran and the customer.

required, the service centre

customer is also kept in the

not sitting idle, but always

Customers receive real-time

can directly send the nearest

loop and information is shared

doing what our customers

alerts on any problem, its

technician an alert so that he

across the board. The point

want them to do – lift.”

before sending someone to the site.

Throughout the process, the

“The whole issue we

and ensure our cranes are

6

COVER STORY CR ANE REP ORT 2020

problems or issues. “This makes it quicker for us to adapt to market changes, because we are part of the market as well, not just providing the product.”

When it comes to providing support for the product, Wolffkran needs to be on top of the maintenance and service game as both a seller and rental fleet operator. The company has

several strategies for that. One is swift on-site mobile service.

“Our service vehicle is a standard unit that you can find with the same components in all places that we operate, whether you go to Germany, the UAE or the USA. The idea is to standardise service and to make sure that all the equipment required is available when our service team

Wolff cranes are an increasingly common sight in the GCC’s construction landscape, and the company makes sure its customers are well supported.

goes to a site, so it helps them to finish the work they need to do on time and to our stipulated quality standards. It’s not just having some tools and fooling around searching for the right parts – it has to be a very organised effort, otherwise you lose time and ultimately the customer.

This is something Wolffkran feels very strongly about,” says Kirby.

COMING TO CONEXPO

WOLFFKRAN TO SHOW OFF THE 166 B US HYDRAULIC LUFFER After the successful

classical tower top and reeving

electrical standards and all

cylinder with load sensing

introduction of Wolff luffing

of the luffing rope, making both

US requirements regarding

control automatically regulates

and saddle jib cranes with

transportation and assembly

structural components, is called

the luffing speed according

middle to high lift capacities

more efficient. The hydraulic

the Wolff 166 B US - offers a

the load which results in a

for the US market, Wolffkran

luffing design also allows for

maximum load capacity of

remarkable luffing movement

is now following up with

a smaller out-of-service jib

12t in 2-fall operation and

from maximum to minimum

one of its smaller luffing jib

position, which is particularly

6t in 1-fall operation. The jib

jib radius in only 90 seconds

cranes, the Wolff 166 B.

important on constricted

line-up ranges from 25m to

with an economical 22kW

city construction sites.

55m and can be extended in

motor. The on-site connected

5mincrements. With a 50m

power requirements sit at

jib it achieves a best-in-class

a low 91kVA with 480V.

The company says that the crane’s impressive performance and an extremely compact design has quickly made it a bestselling model for reinforced concrete structure projects on space restricted inner-city job sites.

Unlike conventional

The Wolff 166 B - whose US version, compliant to US

tip load capacity of 3.35t.

Equipped with a powerful 60kW hoist winch the Wolff 166 B US offers a hook path of 500m and line speeds of up to 174 m/

Standard safety and efficiency features include the Wolff Link remote data transmission system, an anti-collision interface for all major anticollision systems, a working

luffing jib cranes

min in 1-fall operation

range limitation, electrical

with a winch driven

and can be built up

central lubrication of the

luffing gear, the Wolff

to a free-standing

slewing ring, a temperature-

166 B is fitted with

tower heighta of 93.2m

controlled switch cabinet

a compact hydraulic

thanks to the modular

with heating and ventilation

luffing mechanism

Wolff tower system.

and a low slip ring system for

which eliminates the

The hydraulic luffing

optimal signal transmission.

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INTERVIEW CR ANE REP ORT 2020

TOWERING PARTNERSHIP

IN A DOUBLE INTERVIEW WITH MANITOWOC’S POTAIN AND ITS DEALER NFT SPECIALISED IN TOWER CRANES, CMME GETS INSIGHTS INTO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO THAT HAS MADE THEM SEEMINGLY ONE FAMILY OVER THE YEARS, AND WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS

M

anitowoc’s Potain brand of tower cranes and the Middle East’s home grown giant NFT Specialised in Tower Cranes are two inseparable brands, not just locally in the region but increasingly globally.

Indeed, in the over 45 years that the two brands have been associated, NFT has grown to become the world’s largest dealer of tower cranes, specialising in the Potain brand.

Over the decades, NFT has come to dominate the tower crane market in the Middle East and also branched out to supply Potains all over the globe.

When the two companies cemented their relationship further by signing a partnership renewal agreement at the Big 5 Heavy in Dubai late last year, CMME caught with Nabil Al Zahlawi, CEO and managing partner of NFT, and Orlando Mota, senior vice president, Manitowoc, to talk tower cranes, ask where the relationship stands and what the future holds.

From the point of view of the manufacturer, how does Potain

view its long relationship with NFT and is there any special significance of renewing your agreement at this time?

Orlando Mota (OM): This longstanding relationship between NFT and Manitowoc not only makes NFT one of the oldest Potain dealers in the world but also the largest Potain dealer all across the world today. We are just putting on record this long-standing relationship that we’ve been enjoying for over 45 years now.

There is nothing which really makes us do it right now apart from the fact that there is a moment in time when both companies just need to sign a piece of paper. But this is just an administrative aspect because this relationship is so much more than a piece of paper or any legal clauses. Both Potain and NFT have been working together for well over four decades now and we are practically one family. There is no reason why we cannot continue to grow this relationship for the next four decades and beyond.

The Middle East market is still very interesting for both of us, and NFT also has the capacity to provide additional service capabilities for other regions.

9 We are very proud to have NFT as a partner with the outstanding value that they have provided to us and our customers and I’m expect that moving forward our relationship will be at least as good as it has been so far, if not better, because it has been a wonderful relationship between the two companies.

The partnership is now more than 45 years old. As a manufacturer Potain must also have been enriched from NFT’s in terms of market knowledge?

OM: Absolutely. NFT today is one of the voices of the market that we depend on. When we are thinking of a new project or a new model, a new specification for our cranes, we talk to NFT and listen to them very carefully to try to figure out whether what we are thinking from a manufacturer’s stand point makes sense from a market point of view.

NFT has such a vision and understanding about the market that there is no way for Potain to develop something that we have not taken their input on before. Prior to us launching any new model or design, they are for sure one of the biggest and main contributors in terms of input and what the market is expecting from us and what we should be developing for the market. So, NFT’s is definitely one of the voices that we hear even before we begin developing any new product, specification or service.

Is this only for Middle East-focused products or also for global ones?

OM: It’s actually for all global products.

Potain’s relationship with NFT is global in nature and the worldwide presence that NFT has today, makes it one of the voices that we need to listen to even when it goes beyond the products that they usually buy or markets traditionally operate in.

Today, with the huge rental fleet that NFT has, and the range of Potain models that they have, not to forget the technicians and personnel with the highest qualifications, NFT can help all over the world. So, this benefits us

as Potain to create market share not only in NFT’s territory but also in other territories. And we appreciate NFT’s support in this aspect.

Nabil Al Zahlawi (NAZ): We know that markets are getting globalised, so we have contractors moving from one country to another and now from one continent to another. And sometimes every other component of the business moves together with these contractors, such as the crane rental houses and dealers. I think this is a part of globalisation, and NFT has been a pioneer in this field.

For many years now we have been expanding our boundaries, because markets are indeed getting very globalised and so today, a big project anywhere in the world may need, let’s say, a specific Potain model or specific service or a specific type of crane. When this happens the NFT name is on top of their list to procure their needs from, even if it’s not in the territory you’d traditionally associate NFT with.

We have customers very often who say that despite the fact that they are not operating in a country where NFT is operating in as well, they have still been asking NFT to provide them quotes for a project and to supply that project.

In terms of knowledge sharing and collaboration, is there any product that we can name which NFT had a big hand in developing with Potain?

NAZ: Sharing information always leads to input on how to improve the equipment. Of course, Potain is always ready to hear what we have to say.

What we mainly share is information to improve a product or to make it more suitable for a region.

For example, we have a lot of highrises in the GCC whereas in Europe there aren’t so many of them. So, to make a crane more suitable for this region, we have to develop concepts with Potain according to what we have observed and identified as the needs of this region. These could be specific components and systems like bigger

10

INTERVIEW CR ANE REP ORT 2020

drum capacities and faster speeds, or entire cranes ranges such as suitable luffing jib or flat top models. So, this is something we share together in order to improve the products and have a better market for the products. In a nutshell, the concept is to improve the technical sides and the mechanism of the products in order to reply to market demand.

OM: I would say NFT is constantly sharing some kind of information with our Potain technicians and engineers.

For instance, just this week, this is the third day that we had a technical discussion. And we talk technically, commercially and strategically – we basically discuss everything. We discuss how to improve the products and where there are gaps in the market.

At the end of the day, we need to have the best product in the market.

Coming to Potain products, which ones do you think are the most preferred in the Middle East?

NAZ: The preferences are evolving with the market. Five years back, you wouldn’t have found too many luffing jib tower cranes in the market. Today, most of the cranes are of the luffing jib variety. In a place like Dubai, some of this can be attributed to new rules

Orlando Mota (left), senior VP, Manitowoc, and Nabil Al Zahlawi, CEO and managing partner, NFT, extend the NFT-Potain partnership at the Big 5, Dubai.

put in place for Expo 2020, where builders are not allowed to over fly the neighbourhood and the luffing jib answers this problem. Also, using the luffers, you can put two or three cranes on the same tower build without a clash between them. We see a future for this kind of product with the market understanding what the luffing jib and flat top are, and their uses and

advantages. In Europe, nobody is using the luffing jib tower cranes whereas here we see them being used more and more. We’ve recently ordered large numbers of luffing jib tower cranes. We have the biggest rental fleet comprising every variety of tower crane, but specifically the luffing jib.

I think in a small or big way, every product that Potain is developing has a certain contribution from NFT. Today NFT owns a huge fleet of Potain cranes comprising a very wide variety of models. So, on all products Potian is developing, there is an NFT input.

How is the traction for the selferecting crane in the market today?

OM: Just as you find many luffing jib cranes here, you find more of the self-erecting variety in Europe. If you have very expensive labour, people will use more machinery, but if you have cheaper labour - as is the case here - people will perform tasks more manually. So, you have less machinery being used here on small housing or private villas, which is where the selferecting tower crane is in its element.

NAZ: At NFT, we are trying to encourage the use of self-erecting tower craned in this type of market

11 here. For example, we have a contractor building around 1,200 villas and we gave him a self-erecting model to try for a month free of charge. We went and erected it with the understanding that is the contractor is happy with it after the month is up, he will pay a rent and use it for another three months on rental.

With our experience of the market and how the sector works, we’re sure that the benefits of the unit will convince many contractors to induct them into their fleets. Today we have 45 selferecting tower cranes which we are pushing in this market.

There are many advantages of this in smaller projects: you don’t even need an operator, you don’t need any certification, and it’s available with us.

Safety devices such as motorised operator lift systems are becoming mandatory in Europe. But the Middle East lags behind in safety measures.

What is the NFT-Potian combine doing in this regard?

OM: Some countries on northern Europe started with crane lifts last January and it has become mandatory in France on all cranes that rise above 30m in height. What we are also seeing is that some contractors are picking this up and saying that even though it is not mandatory in other countries but for safety reasons, they want their cranes to be equipped with the lifts. I expect that over time either by regulatory demand or by customer demand, this system will be developed further not just in Europe, but on other countries also.

NAZ: As for the Middle East, we have some units here and we are the only ones who can supply it. But customers must understand this is not a luxury item; its important. We feel operators need to be given more importance here. in Europe or even in Asia, operators are often taken for testing and medical on a monthly basis.

But here, operators are not though of as assets because they are cheap.

RISING AT CONEXPO

POTAIN DEBUTS HYDRAULIC LUFFER versatility and speed of our Hup cranes but

In Korea for example, the operator’s pay is often double the rent on the crane. But here, it’s the opposite; operators are paid a fraction of what it costs to rent the crane. This is the difference.

with added mobility.

So, at CONEXPO customers can get a firsthand look at the latest technology for the high-rise and home building sectors.”

The MRH 175 is the latest release in Potain’s line of hydraulic Potain has announced

luffing jib cranes, a

the new MRH 175 tower

product line the company

crane, a new hydraulic

has continuously

luffing jib crane that

developed since unveiling

will make its debut at

the MRH 125 a year

CONEXPO 2020. It’s one

ago. Combining the

of two Potain cranes

advantages of Potain’s

that will be on display at

MR luffing jib cranes

the Manitowoc booth

and MDT topless cranes,

during the show, where

Potain says contractors

the company plans to

find them particularly

showcase the latest in

straightforward

lifting technology for two

to assemble and

of the busiest sectors in

disassemble on

the built environment:

congested sites, making

high-rise construction

them ideal for urban

and homebuilding. The

projects, high-rise

other crane on show

construction or job sites

will be the recently

where space is limited.

introduced Hup M 28-22.

Thibaut Le Besnerais,

Maximum capacity for the MRH 175 is 10t, while

Manitowoc’s VP, global

the maximum jib length

products for tower

is 55m. Tip capacity is

cranes, says the designs

1.5t with the full 55m

of both models give users

jib, or 2.7t if fitted with a

capabilities not available

50m jib. Maximum line

with other cranes.

speed is 215 m/min with

“The MRH 175 has our

the high-performance

latest hydraulic luffing

90HPL25 hoist. The fixed

technology: a design

counter jib and topless

we’ve been championing

structure facilitate fast

for the past two years.

erection and dismantling.

Meanwhile, the Hup M

Transport needs only four

28-22 harnesses all the

standard containers.

We know NFT is a champion of safety. How do you push the concept here?

NAZ: We have extensive training for safety. We do on-site trainings regularly.

And we do it in our yard for our people.

Potain sends their engineers out to us every year to update us on all technical safety concepts and we have a safety department completely controlling and auditing our technicians. Safety is a very important component of NFT’s operations. NFT has created a book for operators on job-sites in this region. It is available in four languages - Hindi, Urdu, Arabic and English - and there are frequent conferences about safety on job-sites all around the Middle East and beyond.

Please tell us about how NFT has branched out of the Middle East to now become a a global operator.

NAZ: Being located in this region with access to the logistics infrastructure of the UAE, we are able to benefit from the low shipping costs of containers, which we use to ship our cranes to global locations. For example, we are able to avoid high costs when using a container to ship from here to Singapore because the container originated in Singapore and they need the empty box there. So whatever they can earn on the return leg is a bonus for them as the container was to return empty anyway. And so they charge very little. This is an advantage for us.

And if we don’t have a crane available here, we buy it new. For example, today we bought a couple of new units, which we are having sent directly from the Potain factory to Singapore. We bought a Potain MCT 565 flat top crane. There is also demand for bigger cranes in the 32t-class and above so there will be some more cranes coming in.

12

INTERVIEW CR ANE REP ORT 2020

LOOKING UP

SPANISH TOWER CRANE SPECIALIST COMANSA HAS STEADILY EXPANDED ITS PRESENCE IN THE MIDDLE EAST, SUPPLYING ITS CRANES TO SOME IMPORTANT PROJECTS ACROSS THE REGION WHILE RAMPING UP SAFETY AND SERVICE OFFERINGS How does Comansa assess the tower crane market at present and what are your projections for the future?

For Comansa, Saudi Arabia and Egypt have emerged as markets in which we have very good expectations. We also think of Iraq as a country to consider in the medium and long term.

In the last two years, Comansa has found success in the regional market with sales of 10-15 tower crane units per year. We believe this is an encouraging performance and we’re putting our efforts into further improving our sales here.

Please give an overview of Comansa’s product range in the Middle East. Which are your most popular models here and why?

We offer our entire product portfolio in the Middle East., Our models such as the 21LC335 and 21LC550 are installed on various projects around the region.

In Dubai, we have the 21LC550 flattop and the LCL280 and LCL165 luffing jib models working on some projects.

These models are also the ones mostly asked for in Saudi Arabia. We have some 8t, 10t and 12t models working in general construction, especially in places like Egypt, whereas our 18t and 20t capacity models are serving on special projects The cranes we provide in this region are manufactured in our facility in China and are therefore competitively priced. Of course, they are all built to Comansa’s strict quality standards, no matter where they are made.

We have a wide range of flat-top models that are very competitively priced given their technical specifications. The 21LC large flat-top is among our biggest sellers and we are planning on expanding our flat-top model range further.

What are Comansa’s special features and what advantages does it enjoy over the competition that customers should be aware of?

Comansa has a long history of expertise in the tower crane business.

We are the inheritors of the legacy of Linden, the original flat-top tower crane producer. In fact, we were known as Linden-Comansa for a long time. So, we have a background of innovation and quality in the business.

Our cranes are built on modular system design principals, offering great combinations between our total range to suit various customer requirements. Our cranes also come with powerful tower structures, which are designed for low cost of transport without sacrificing strength, making transport and erection easy and cheap.

We put emphasis on the quality of our mechanics, such as the hoist motor and trolley travel motor, which bolsters one of the most important features of our cranes: longer life.

This also means that customers can sell the crane after years of use at a good profit.

Over the years, the tower crane sector has had a few accidents. How does Comansa improve safety?

13 Spain’s Comansa offers its entire range of flat-top and luffing jib tower cranes in the Middle East and its products have worked on several key regional projects.

COMANSA’S NEW LAUNCH

A FLAT-TOP FOR HEAVY LOADS

Comansa recently launched its new flat-top tower crane, the 21LC1400, which comes in 50t and 66t versions with jib lengths of 85-90m and is designed for Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction (PPVC), mining and allied applications.

The 21LC1400 will also provide enhanced performance on projects involving lifting very heavy loads, such as in shipyards, mining and

Whenever any accident happens, Comansa has a protocol in which the reasons are studied in an atmosphere of transparent and close communication with our customer.

Together, we try to find out what it’s necessary to improve, whenever and wherever applicable, so that such accidents do not happen again.

This approach has enabled us to learn new things and constantly refine our products so that accidents due to mechanical and structural errors have been nearly eliminated.

Accidents usually happen because of operator error or failure to follow the correct assembly or operation procedures. Comansa is constantly working on emphasizing the required steps and making customers and operators more sensitive about procedures. We do this through trainings and manuals, which we insist our customers and their operators follow. In addition, our quality and R&D departments are always working on new designs with a view to improving safety for our customers. In parallel, we are checking future remote technical assistance and advanced systems for maintenance.

other industrial sectors.

The crane features a modular design counter jib to significantly reduce operating radius on small sites. A new single and highly compact trolley-hook has also been designed for the 21LC1400, which replaces Comansa’s single-double trolley system, standard in its other models. This is because the new 21LC1400 will work mainly in projects in which maximum capacity is required for almost every lift.

The crane has two versions with maximum load capacities of 50t and 66t. It has a standard 85m jib, extendable to 90m, and a new cage designed as an extension of the range that includes the latest upgrades of cages previously available only for smaller cranes.

Please mention some Middle East and GCC projects where Comansa cranes are working or have worked.

Two of our 21LC550 models and one 21LC450 worked in the Bahrain Airport project; in the Cairo subway project we have a 21LC750 and CM355 models whereas four of our 11CM160 cranes are involved in the ElCairo Residential project. In Saudi Arabia, we work extensively with Aramco on some huge oil & gas projects.

We replaced 17 cranes in offshore oil rigs for Saudi Aramco in the Zuluf and Marjan oil fields using our 21LC and 16LC models. In Dubai Comansa tower cranes were involved in the development of the Paramount Hotel and our 21lc550s cranes are at work in the Wafi Mall extension project, while two LCL280 units are building tower blocks elsewhere in Dubai.

14

CRANE SAFETY CR ANE REP ORT 2020

SAFETY AT HEIGHTS

AMCS TECHNOLOGIES HAS DEVELOPED AND INSTALLED ADVANCED ANTI-COLLISION PRODUCTS FOR TOWER CRANES GLOBALLY AND IN THE REGION. THE FRENCH CRANE SAFETY SYSTEMS PROVIDER GIVES DETAILS OF HOW IT IS MAKING TOWER CRANES SAFER TO OPERATE

S

afety is important for all stakeholders in the global tower crane sector. Tapping into the latest technologies of today, French crane safety systems specialist AMCS has developed technology tools to aid tower crane operators and cut out some of the hazards of their job.

AMCS’s two main flagship products sold in the Middle East are the DCS 60 anti-collision system and the SUP 61 job-site supervisor. The DCS 60 – the letters stand for driving control system – is a driving assistance product with an in-cab monitor, enabling tower crane operators to manage real-time risk of collision between crane elements in interference, for example rope to jib or counter-jib. It also helps in stopping cranes passing over prohibited over-flight areas such as schools, railways, roads, etc.

Emmeline Grosjean, marketing manager, EMEA at AMCS technologies, tells CMME that the DCS 60 has three fundamental functions – zoning, anti-collision, and display unit and data logger. With zoning, three-dimensional prohibited zones

are quickly defined directly on the monitor screen of the DCS 60 by associating geometric shapes with the areas concerned. The anticollision system operates in real time and in 3D to calculate the distances between each part of the crane, as well as movement speeds. The system applies an adjustable safety coverage to all of the machines sections – jib, rope, etc – and enables action to be taken on equipped mechanisms to ensure complete immobilisation of the crane at a pre-set distance from a particular obstacle.

The display unit and data logger continuously records and saves events related to prohibited areas and interference functions management, allowing direct viewing and download to a flash drive. An additional function enables the dynamic recording of certain information concerning system and crane status.

“The system is universal. It easily adapts to all brands of cranes and can manage large-scale job-sites.

The tower crane operator has all the information he needs to operate the crane, such as the position of his crane and of others at the site and their load, as well as their movements:

15 Anti-collision and zoning solutions from French crane systems specialist AMCS is vital for safe operations of tower cranes on urban job-sites.

slewing, distribution, lifting and travelling. He also has information about static obstacles and prohibited zones and the risk of collision with interfering cranes. Other useful information for productivity, such as load, range, wind speed and jib position, are also provided by the system,” says Grosjean.

The SUP 61 is a system that a site supervisor can use to monitor and save data on a single screen from cranes on the sites fitted with the DCS 61-S and DCS 60 systems. Via a radio connection with the sites anti-collision network, the SUP 61

communicates real-time information on the positioning, movements and events of the cranes.

“Whatever the complexity of a job-site, the performance and ease of use of these systems allow tracking of on-site activity, either from an office on-site or remotely from another side of the world.

With a simple internet connection, users can have access to information linked to slewing, distribution, hook height, the position of the crane, the load lifted, weathervane mode and neutralisation for each crane on the job-site,” Grosjean says.

AMCS AT CONEXPO 2020

WORLD PREVIEWS FOR NEW TECHNOLOGIES AMCS will reveal its latest

Operating on many sites

innovations on booth F101211 at

in France, the DCS 61-S can

Conexpo Las Vegas this month.

detect in real time the risk of

Among the novelties expected in

collision of all crane elements

2020 are the DCS 61-S, (Driving

in interference (for example

Control System Safety), the new

cable on jib, cable on counter-

anti-collision and zoning system

jib. Etc.) or the risk of entering a

now available internationally.

prohibited area, such as spaces

It is a complete safety system designed with a higher level of

over schools, railways, roads, etc.

It intervenes on the controlled

requirement to ensure the safe

mechanisms of the machine

execution of orders to manage the

to ensure a slowdown and/

machines in interference, operating

or a complete immobilisation

in the area of the tower cranes.

of the lifting machine at a pre-

The device is in the process of

set distance from the obstacle.

being certified PLd in accordance

The system provides the crane

with the standard EN13849-1

operator with working comfort by

and SIL-2 in accordance with the

displaying all the parameters useful

standard EN61508 by an accredited

for operating the machine and

organization, in order to guarantee

allows him to programme delivery

a serious quality approach.

zones and targets more intuitively.

It also gives the possibility of viewing in real time the position of the crane in its environment as well as the positions of the interfering cranes while guaranteeing high performance on site productivity.

The company will also preview its own telematics called IoT Lifting with its mobile application which will be available during the second quarter of 2020.

16

LIFTING PROJECTS CR ANE REP ORT 2020

AL FARIS SHOWS ITS MIGHT CMME BRINGS YOU FOUR RECENT PROJECTS FROM THE MIDDLE EAST’S HOMEGROWN HEAVY LIFT AND MOVE SPECIALIST THAT SHOW OFF LOCAL EXPERTISE IN RAISING AND MOVING THE HEAVY STUFF

UAE PAVILION LIFT AT EXPO 2020

LIEBHERR CRAWLER AND MOBILE LIFT IN TANDEM GCC heavy lifting and transport

long working radius of 132m along

services major Al Faris recently

with strong winds, said Al Faris.

completed a project to lift and

The company added that

install heavy structural elements

selection of the right lifting gear

on the UAE pavilion build site

was of utmost importance as the

at the Dubai Expo 2020.

structures had to be lifted at a

Using a Liebherr LR 1000 crawler

given specific angle. Also, steel

crane with 156m main boom and

mats had to be fabricated for

Liebherr LTM 1750 9.1 mobile crane

maintaining ground pressure to

with S/L and luffer, the Al Faris team

meet the site requirements.

lifted 42 steel structural elements

“This project was completed in

in total at the falcon-inspired UAE

different stages. We provided our

pavilion structure, which they then

client with a complete solution for

placed and installed in their places.

lifting and installation of structural

“We were recently awarded

steel elements of length varying

the UAE pavilion project at the

from 24m to 46m. The weight

Expo 2020 site in Dubai and it

of each unit ranged from 8t to

was great to be able to support

55t. After careful consideration

the project with our engineering

and study, the 1000t Liebherr

and heavy lifting expertise,”

LR 1000 crawler crane was used

said an Al Faris spokesperson.

due to the long working radius

Some of the challenges that the project presented were a limited, congested area for placing the

requirement for the installation,” the spokesperson added.

For the final stage of the project,

cranes due to adjacent ongoing

Al Faris used its Liebherr 750t

projects, the restricted time

all-terrain crane to lift and install

and area for the assembly and

the oculus structure at the centre

dismantling of the cranes and a

of the UAE pavilion’s roof top.

17

132m

The challe n working ra ging d of the projeius ct

18

LIFTING PROJECTS CR ANE REP ORT 2020

JORDAN WIND FARM PROJECT

COMPLETE LOGISTICS FOR REFINERY PROJECT

BREEZY LIFT FOR LEIBHERR LTM1500 ATC

GOLDHOFER MOVES HEAVY VESSELS

Among the feather’s in Al

and strength to cater to any

Faris’ cap around the wider

projects in the entire Middle

Middle East region of late is a

East region,” said Al Faris.

Jordanian project where the

The company added that all

company used a 500t Liebherr

surveys, planning, technical

all-terrain mobile crane to

support documentation,

assemble and erect windmills.

execution plans and schedules

The Dubai-based company

were prepared in-house

explained that it mobilised

prior to job execution,

a Liebherr LTM 1500 for the

which helped in organising

Jordan wind farm project

all activities smoothly and

which it was awarded and

kept delays to a minimum.

executed late last year.

“Execution was safely carried

“After careful consideration

out by our trained operators.

and calculations, the Liebherr

The loads varied from 64t to

LTM 1500, 500t all-terrain

90t. Our 550t mobile crane

crane was selected as the

was used with main boom

most suitable to safely carry

operations,” said Al Faris, adding

out the heavy lifts. The crane

that a strong commitment and

was mobilised to Jordan

focus was also shown to adhere

from our branch in Saudi

to the best HSE practices on-

Late last year, Al Faris

Arabia along three of our

site, which was discussed in

provided complete

well-trained staff members,

detail with the client prior to the

logistics services, from

stretch of Dubai’s main

showcasing our capabilities

commencement of operations.

loading to transportation,

highway, Sheikh Zayed

for more than 15

Road, was completely

oversized components

blocked for 30 minutes to

of an oil refinery project,

make way for the trailers,

which were moved from

which were accompanied

the Jebel Ali port to a

by 4-6 police escorts.

storage yard in Dubai

Al Faris obtained all

World Central in the UAE.

official permissions and

Al Faris used 12-axle

clearances for the move

Goldhofer hydraulic trailers as well as self-

studied all steps required.

During the move, a

and route modifications.

“For the offloading

propelled modular

process, a challenge was

transporters (PST/SL-E

the confined space Al Faris

trailers) to move the loads,

had to work in, along with

and finally offloaded them

the tight timescale and

using an Enerpac SBL900

lifting precision needed.

gantry. The refinery

Another challenge was

column’s three sections

engineering a customised

were up to 11m high, 32m

platform using steel mats

long and 10m wide, and

to reach the required

weighed up to 315t.

lifting height for the

The project’s biggest

gantry. The Enerpac

challenge was to find

SBL900 gantry system

a route practical and

was the perfect fit for this

feasible enough to

job, allowing us to get the

transport the loads. An

work done with utmost

elaborate route survey

efficiency,” said Al Faris.

19

MOVING SOLUTIONS FOR OIL FACILITY EXPANSION

SPMTS AND MULTI-AXLES TRANSPORT 19 VESSELS Using hydraulic multi axle

8m high; the 252t and 157t

to 68 axle lines of Goldhofer

to cross the Etihad Rail tracks.

trailers, Al Faris recently

dewatering separators; the

hydraulic multi axle and

Al Faris conducted an extensive

transported 19 different oil

210t slug catcher; 141t H2S

self-propelled trailers were

engineering study and

& gas vessels over a distance

stripper column; and 130t

used for transportation and

proposed a solution to design

of 150km for the expansion

second stage separator

Liebherr 1000t, 600t and

and fabricate a customised

400t crawler cranes were

temporary steel bridge.

was critical in nature due

used for offloading purposes

The bridge was analyzed

Completed in different

to close proximity to a live

at various locations.

for its load distribution and

stages over a period of three

plant, required specialised

months, Al Faris provided its

techniques and equipment,

strong focus of adhering

by Etihad Rail’s technical

client with a complete solution

as well as experienced staff.

to the best QHSE practices

team and stakeholders.

of a crude oil production facility in the Abu Dhabi.

for loading these vessels

The transportation, which

All road surveys,

Al Faris also ensured a

during transportation and

the proposal was approved

The crossing was executed

from different manufacturer’s

planning, technical support

when on site, which was

in a very constrained time

locations to the UAE’s

documentation, authority

discussed in detail with

frame, with a window of only

Hamriyah and Jebel Ali ports.

permissions, execution plans

the client prior to the

six hours provided for bridge

It then received the vessels at

and schedules were prepared

commencement of operations.

installation, crossing and

in-house by Al Faris prior

Mussafah port in Abu

to executing the

Dhabi and land transported them to the client site where they were off-loaded.

A total of 19 vessels

293t

Weight of heav componen iest t transporte d in the project

were used to transport, in order of weight, the 293t first stage separator 32m long, 7.5m wide and

One of the challenges was to cross an ADNOC gas

then removal of the bridge.

Other challenges included

job. This helped

pipeline which were at a

transportation on uphill and

organise all

depth of around 2m from

downhill roads, crossing

activities

ground level. An axle load

under electric power lines

smoothly with

of less than 08t/axle was

with restricted heights,

minimum

maintained for crossing with

manoeuvring extremely

delays.

all necessary permits and from

tight roundabouts and

Execution

the Department of Transport

bottle neck turns.

was safely carried out by the

and Abu Dhabi Municipality.

The crude-oil production

A maximum combination of

facility expansion will

up to 68 axle lines were used

allow production capacity

engineers and operators.

for crossing of the heaviest

to increase from 420,000

After careful consideration

load, which weighed 293t.

barrels to 450,000 barrels

company’s trained

and study of the loads, up

The other big challenge was

of oil per day this year.

20

CRAWLER CRANES CR ANE REP ORT 2020

HSC AIMS HIGH

AN ENTRENCHED PLAYER IN THE REGION, THE JAPANESE CRAWLER CRANE MANUFACTURER IS OFFERING VERSATILE UNITS WITH INNOVATIVE FEATURES, AND PLANS TO BRING IN NEW MODELS TO BOLSTER ITS MARKET PRESENCE

W

ith 10 lattice boom crawler crane models in various capacities in its range, and with a reputation for Japanese quality, HSC Cranes has always been a Middle East favourite. Speaking with CMME, Wim Aernouts, director, Middle East Crane Equipment Trading (MECET), the regional dealer of the brand, says the company is looking forward to a successful 2020.

Aernouts’ outlook on the regional crawler crane market is one of cautious optimism, though. “The crane market is a little on the low level today in the Middle East. There is a definite pressure on prices of new cranes and margins are thin, even though, paradoxically,

there are a lot of jobs around for crawler cranes,” he says.

“My contention is that the market is over supplied and that is putting pressure on prices.

Of course, there is also a persistent problem with payments, where rental companies and fleet owners do not get paid on time by the contractors, who in turn are not being paid on time by their principals upstream.

“This scenario is not conducive to people investing too much in new units. So they keep running whatever they have. Also, a contributing factor is that the older units are working well. A crawler crane easily has two or three lives, and when it comes to HSC, our high quality standards mean our machines just keep running and at minimal costs. Once you buy an HSC crane it can last you 50 years.

“We have a lot of cranes in this region that are performing well with 25,000-30,000 running hours on their clocks. At HSC we say we expect at least 25 years out of our cranes, but that is an estimation on the conservative side. The actual figure on the ground is easily a lot more than that.”

HSC’s range in the Middle East comprises 10 models, all of which are available with MECET, from the 55t SCX550E at the low end to the 550t 6000SLX at the top. Aernouts says that while MECET sees more volumes in the lower and medium capacity models, such as the 120t-capacity SCX1200-3, they have sold a couple of units of the 550t-capacity 6000SLX, HSC’s largest available model. The units went to NMDC and Six Construct in Dubai. The model comes with an optional

21 A comprehensive model lineup, Japanese quality and expertise, and the backing of its dealer MECET has enabled HSC Cranes to become a leader in the region.

HSC SCX2800A-3

A BOOST FOR JOB-SITES HSC 275t-capcity SCX2800A-3 model

The Eco winch mode allows high

sports a powerful winch for steady

line speeds under light loads without

operations. An eco-winch mode

having to increase the engine speeds,

allows for streamlined operations

thus keeping the rpm count low.

and energy efficiency, while wider

This mode delivers high workability

shoes and reduction counterweight

in situations such as high-elevations

specifications enable it to meet a

construction sites and multiple rope

diverse range of job-site needs.

hanging operations, while limiting fuel

The 13.5t rated line pull winch enables quick and powerful hoisting and has plenty in reserve for more

consumption and noise due to engine speeds being kept at a minimum.

The SCX2800A-3 comes with an

complex operations, says HSC. A

available option of wider shoes. The

wider winch drum design minimises

optional wider shoes are 140mm

damage to the winch rope.

wider than the standard ones and help to reduce ground contact pressure by around 8% to suit a broader range of job-sites.

Another feature is the reduction counterweight specification, available as an optional extra to provide added flexibility for a diverse range of job-sites, such as locations within tight internal areas where operating weights are limited or restricted.

The operator has greater ease of operations with a cab tilt mechanism that allows the cab to tilt back up to 18 degrees to make moving loads at heights easier. Enabling the optimum position suited to a job ensures the best possible operator visibility.

Superlift system to increase lift capacity. The system is a separate counterweight set-up that enables users to lift higher loads with the same crane. For the 550t model, the Superlift option would bump up the capacity to around 650t, giving it an extra 100t with a balance and A-frame extra to lift the higher load.

Elaborating on the most popular HSC models in the region, Aernouts says: “The SCX2800-2 and the SCX1500A-3, with capacities of 275t and 150t respectively, are the most in-demand from our stable. The main reason is their versatility at the price point they come in. The 100t SCX1000A-3 is also among our popular models. It is mainly used in construction for foundation jobs.

“Typically, you can find all these models in the oil & gas industry, in the refineries and

also in construction. There are also mining projects that use these cranes, as well as marine construction, infrastructure and dockside applications. Moreover, mounted on a pontoon, they are also used for offshore and marine lifting, coupled with a software that reduces lift capacity in three steps by up to 33% to keep the crane stable.”

Coming to the smaller capacity models, the SCX550E, SCX700E and SCX800-2, which have capacities of 55t, 70t and 80t respectively, Aernouts says: “We call our smaller models ‘taxi cranes’. This is because they lift and move loads around on big job-sites, picking up a load at one end and crawling with it to another end of the site. And they also help in doing foundations. Because of this particular kind of usage, we make these cranes using

the undercarriages of excavators. So these models use tracks designed for crawler excavators, making them easier to move.”

When it comes to engines, all new HSC models will now come with Cummins engines, Aernouts reveals. “Today we still have some models with Isuzu and Mitsubishi engines, but in the near future HSC will standardise the engines on its entire next generation range that we sell here to Cummins.”

The near future will also see MECET bring in new HSC models to the region. “A couple of new units will arrive at the end of April, and will be stored in JAFZA, ready to be shipped to GCC customers in the GCC or brought into the UAE, as the case may be,” Aernouts says.

For more details he advises CMME readers and prospective customers to watch this space.

22

NEW MODELS CR ANE REP ORT 2020

66M

th of Boom leng bherr LTM the new Lie first in , 1120-4.1 a nes ra c e xl 4-a

NEW LIFTERS

A NEW FOUR-AXLE ALL-TERRAIN CRANE FROM LIEBHERR AND A NEW ROUGH-TERRAIN MODEL FROM GROVE BOTH SEEK TO PUSH THE BOUNDARIES OF THE PERFORMANCE, VERSATILITY AND UTILITY THAT THEIR RESPECTIVE CLASSES ARE KNOWN FOR

W

ith the triennial CONEXPO-CON/AGG exhibition taking place in Las Vegas in the US this month, global crane manufacturers are taking the opportunity to present some new lifting equipment. In the mobile cranes segment, this includes two of the biggest names in the business, Liebherr and Grove, who debuting some important new models.

Liebherr will be unveiling its new LTM 1120-4.1 in Las Vegas. The company says it is the most powerful four-axle all-terrain crane ever built. The new 120t machine breaks into a performance class which

has previously been the sole preserve of five-axle cranes. As far as boom length is concerned, it is on a par with 200t class cranes as its 66m telescopic boom is the longest ever to be installed on a four-axle mobile crane. Liebherr will start deliveries of the new LTM 1120-4.1 in autumn this year.

Describing the thought and specifications behind the new model, a Liebherr statement says: “Delivering maximum performance on a four-axle mobile crane is a concept which has been traditional at Liebherr for decades.

For example, when the current LTM 1100-4.2 was launched in 2009, it set new standards in the four-axle class with a lifting capacity of 10.2t on its 60m telescopic boom. The new 120t crane has added 18% to this value

at the same length. What is more, the LTM 1120-4.1 can extend its telescopic boom to up to 66m, an additional 10%. This means it reaches the same level of many 200t mobile cranes on the market.�

The new LTM 1120-4.1 delivers high lifting capacity values, particularly with the boom fully raised. Its lifting capacity of 9t on the 66m telescopic boom makes it ideal for erecting tower cranes and radio masts.

Lattice extensions enables the new 120t crane to achieve hook heights of up to 94m and radii of up to 64m. For this a 7m lattice boom extension is installed as well as a 10.819m double folding jib, which, as an option, can also be hydraulically adjusted between 0 degree and 40 degree angles. A 2m erection

23 jib and a runner, which can be swung to the side, round off the equipment list.

The new LTM 1120-4.1 can tackle jobs which normally would require a five-axle crane, eliminating all the logistics work needed for the larger model. Because a four-axle crane delivers benefits in terms of licensing and route permits, it can tackle jobs faster and with greater flexibility. The design of a four-axle crane also enables it to work where there is insufficient space for larger cranes. On constricted sites, in particular, Liebherr’s VarioBallast and VarioBase innovations deliver enhanced performance, flexibility and safety for this new crane model.

A six-cylinder Liebherr diesel engine in the undercarriage powers the crane, developing 449bhp of power and 2,335Nm of torque, ensuring ample power for the LTM 1120-4.1.

While the engine complies with the new stage V emissions directive, it can also be built to comply with regulations in other territories, for example stage III for low regulated countries.

Meanwhile, Manitowoc Cranes, owners of the Grove mobile crane brand, will display their latest roughterrain crane (RTC), the Grove GRT8120, in Las Vegas. The model is the newest Grove mobile crane to be unveiled by the company and is the latest in the GRT line of roughterrain cranes that have grown in popularity due to their reliability and versatility on job sites. It is one of six brand-new cranes that the company is introducing at the show, along with several others making their North American debuts.

According to Manitowoc, the new GRT8120 features the longest boom and strongest load charts in its class, along with a new compact carrier design with flat decking for improved manoeuvrability, serviceability and job site access. Combined, these features make the crane ideal for work in the petrochemical, construction and wind power industries, among others.

John Bair, product manager for roughterrain cranes at Manitowoc, says the crane’s features were largely driven by market demand, reflecting The Manitowoc Way, which is Manitowoc’s operating system that

focuses on a commitment to innovation and velocity that fulfils customers’ needs.

“Many of our customers wanted to fill a void in the 120t class, and also increase their crane utilisation with easier transportability, greater reach and capacity, and improved access for serviceability,” he said. “We were able to accomplish this through an all-new carrier design along with several other new features debuting on this crane. We’re happy to say that the 60m boom length and strong load charts put this crane at the top of its class,” Bair states.

Based largely off the success of the GRT8100, the GRT8120 has a capacity of 120t and a 60m main boom with 80.8m max height when equipped with the 17.6m bi-fold swingaway extension that comes in either manual or hydraulically offsettable configurations.

Also new to the GRT8120 is the MAXbase asymmetrical outrigger system for ultimate versatility in job site setups.

This feature, combined

120T

ity of the Max capac GRT8120 e v new Gro with a 60m main boom

with the lightweight, compact carrier and long boom, make this crane ideal for congested job sites that require maximum reach. A new, wider, full-vision cab with 20 degree tilt maximises operator comfort and visibility. From an operational perspective, the GRT8120 features the Boom Configurator mode that simplifies telescoping of the boom and provides on-board lift planning.

The new crane has a full LED lighting package with new side-mounted carrier work lights, and the design improves upon previous crane models with increased storage and improved accessibility for servicing. Combined with its compact dimensions and its lightweight gross vehicle weight, the crane will have easy transport to job sites, need minimal job site preparation and provide exceptional manoeuvrability, which should increase utilisation rates for many users. On the job site, it has a 24.1km/h travel speed with full counterweight.

“For the GRT8120 we were also able to add smart sensing outrigger cylinders in lieu of string pots that, along with nearly every component on the crane, were tested well past industry standards at our Product Verification Center to ensure reliability on the job site,” says Bair.

“We’ve also added a wireless, handheld rigging remote for quick and easy set up on site. And of course, this crane is outfitted with the CCS Crane Control System that improves efficiency and reduces training time.”

24

LAST WORD CR ANE REP ORT 2020

MOBILE S U L P 8 8 MK S ANE HELP R C N O I T C M BUILD CONSTRU A D E N I P L A IN QUICK

R E T F I L R R HE B E I L R O F T C E J O R P H HIG

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