Aquajet’s innovative Ergo System, a compact hydrodemolition robot unit, was on display at the trade fair which was held from 30 May to 3 June, 2022, at booth C4.213. The Ergo is said to offer four times the power of a hand lance and provides manoeuvrability and power through remote operation to keep workers out of harm’s way during hazardous cleaning applications.

“Hydrodemolition robots automate processes, giving operators the ability to step back from dangerous situations and to increase productivity,” said Roger Simonsson, Aquajet managing director. “This is advantageous to any industry that needs to remove concrete, contaminated concrete, coatings, paint or other materials. We’re pleased to bring our technology to Ifat for the first time to discuss the safety and efficiency benefits it offers.”

Using a number of productivity enhancing attachments, the Ergo system can be operated remotely for efficient cleaning and removal of material in boilers, tanks, pipes and other industrial containers and conduits. The Ergo system incorporates the controller unit, which powers and controls and the hydraulics, the power head, which manipulates the high pressure lance, and either the spine or the climber, which are unique systems used to support and maneuvere the power head, based on project needs. The climber attaches to any standard scaffolding or pipes and robotically moves along it to deliver powerful hydrodemolition forces to remove material.

The Ergo system also works with ‘Rotolance’ attachments for improved capabilities in confined or hard to reach places. The Ergo Rotolance 130 and 130S work at pressures ranging from 1,000bar to 3,000bar and offer a variety of nozzle configurations for a spray pattern diameter from 30mm to 130mm. The system exerts an impressive 1,000N of reaction force, which the company says is as much as four times greater than a human operator with a hand lance. This means the machine can effectively clean and remove concrete, rubber coatings, paint, rust, plastic and other materials as well as roughen surfaces for better bonding faster than traditional methods. This makes it ideal for resurfacing applications in tanks, reservoirs and other containers.

Hydrodemolition robots, such as the Ergo system, consistently remove decayed concrete and built up materials to a pre-set depth. Alternatively, a hand lance will likely leave inconsistent depths due to operator inefficiencies and inaccuracies. This means contractors may have to do another pass to completely remove materials or risk damaging underlying surfaces by being too aggressive.

Contractors can easily move the 123kg Ergo controller unit around the facility or worksite and over soft or rough surfaces, due to the wide wheels and low ground pressure. It compact size makes transport easy on a pallet. Additionally, the system is service friendly with hydraulic hose multi connectors that are 100% sealed from moisture to virtually eliminate the risk of leaks during transportation.