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Construction

The new crane benefits from the latest enhancements for Potain self-erecting cranes. (Image source: Manitowoc)

Manitowoc, a leading provider of engineered lifting solutions, will debut the new Potain Igo M 24-19 at the Batimat exhibition, running in Paris, France, from 30 September to 3 October

Replacing the best-selling Igo M 14, the new crane joins the Igo MA 21 and Hup M 28-22 A in the company’s range of mobile self-erecting cranes. Measuring 11.83 M in length in the folded position, the crane is well suited to manoeuvring through narrow and restricted jobsites, making it ideal for new home construction and renovations.

Boasting three jib configuration options of 12.3 m and 21 m as well as the full 24 m option, versatility has been prioritised to enable the crane to easily adapt to jobsite requirements.

“At Potain, we are driven to deliver innovative solutions that fit the market, and our customer’s needs. The new Igo M 24-19 optimises compactness, mobility, performance, and productivity for our customers to increase their return on investment,” said Rémi Deporte, self-erecting cranes product manager at Manitowoc.

The Igo M 24-19 has a permanent ballast installed and offers three steering axle options for travel. There is a 25 km/h tow bar, an 80 km/h tow bar, and a fifth wheel. The maximum capacity of the Igo M 24-19 is 1.8 t and will lift to 570 kg at its maximum jib length of 24 m. The height under hook is 19 m. Additionally, the crane can work in a raised jib position of 11° or 20° when more height under hook is needed.

The latest advancements from Potain are included in the crane’s design, including Smart Set-Up, Potain Crane Control System, Drive Control, Power Control, Steering Axle, and the Potain CONNECT telematics system. There are also several productivity options available including an onboard generator for power independence, hydraulic levelling for easier crane setup, Potain Plus load curve software, and the Top Site working range limiter.

Swappable battery docks. (Image source: Hitachi Construction Machinery)

Hitachi Construction Machinery, a construction machinery manufacturer, has announced a collaboration with Dimaag-Al, a leading provider of electric solutions, to design and deliver to the market a 1.7-ton electrified hydraulic excavator

Expected to be completed by December 2024, the partnership aims to unveil the vehicle at Bauma 2025 in Munich before launching the product on the European market in 2027. The industry-leading machine will be geared towards use in urban construction and indoor demolition.

“To realise zero-emission, it is important to provide not only our products but also solutions combined with related products such as energy storage system,” remarked Kazunori Nakamura, vice president and executive officer, CTO, president of Power & Info Control Platform Business Unit and Research & Development Group. “For this purpose, the collaboration with various partners is the key to success. Since the battery module for this collaboration from Dimaag is versatile and applicable to various electric products, further acceleration of the electrification at construction sites can be expected. We are excited to partner with an innovative company like Dimaag and would like to expand our electrified vehicle lineup.”

High power construction machinery

Hitachi will provide technical information of the base machine and specification requirements for the electrification while Dimaag will integrate its Electric No Compromise Off-Road Ecosystem (ENCORE). First showcased at Consumer Electric Show 2024, ENCORE is comprised of Dimaag’s high power, swappable battery modules, advanced thermal management system, inverters, motors, power electronics and software for EVs as well as charging stations.

Ian Wright, cofounder of Tesla and VP engineering at Dimaag, commented, “Dimaag’s ENCORE technology has been deployed across multiple prototype off-road vehicles to validate our design intent of no compromise on safety, all-day performance, and affordability. We are honoured to partner with Hitachi Construction Machinery to be a pioneer and enable economies of scale for the ENCORE tech stack. This partnership marks a significant step towards achieving electrification of agricultural and construction machinery, with no compromises.”

Volvo's approach focuses on reducing operational costs while maintaining high performance and durability. (Image source: Volvo CE)

Volvo CE has introduced its new EC400 and EC500 excavators as hybrid models, delivering a 17% increase in fuel efficiency and a 15% reduction in both CO2 emissions and fuel consumption.

These excavators represent the latest advancements in Volvo's hybrid range and mark a significant step toward more environmentally sustainable operations.

The EC400 and EC500, weighing in at 40 and 50 tons respectively, are now the largest models in Volvo’s hybrid portfolio, joining previous models like the EC380E, EC350E, EC300E, and EC250E hybrids.

These machines utilise Volvo’s hydraulic hybrid technology, which captures energy from the excavator’s boom as it moves downward. This energy is stored in an accumulator and then used to power the assist motor, reducing overall fuel consumption and emissions.

Improving efficiency

Volvo's approach focuses on reducing operational costs while maintaining high performance and durability.

The hybrid models are designed with a simpler electro-hydraulic system, which uses fewer hoses and couplings, resulting in lower maintenance costs and increased reliability. The machines also feature reinforced undercarriages, strengthened bucket linkages, and optional heavy-duty superstructures to handle demanding tasks with ease.

Otmar Kirsch, product manager excavator, commented, "The expansion of our Hybrid range into our new generation excavators represents the merging of our most advanced hybrid technology with a new and modern design that takes customers into the future.”

The EC400 and EC500 provide a more spacious and ergonomic operator environment, enhancing the overall user experience. With Volvo’s hybrid technology, these excavators deliver improved fuel efficiency and performance, ensuring that customers can operate more sustainably while meeting the challenges of modern construction.

Viewpoint Field View is designed to enhance construction document management. (Image source: Trimble)

The construction industry is experiencing an important transition, as a growing number of project owners are now rapidly migrating to construction project management software to meet their document management needs. This change represents a shift from the tedious, conventional approaches to managing construction documents, and points towards improved productivity and streamlined workflows.

Managing construction documents was a difficult task prior to the development of construction project management software. In the past, stakeholders depended on a variety of offline storage devices, including filing cabinets, desktop computers, Excel spreadsheets, and external hard drives, to store and share information. This disorganised method of document control increased risks, prevented collaboration, pushed back project timelines, and ultimately led to huge losses for owners. More importantly, such confusion can also lead to critical construction errors that are dangerous and can cause significant delays.

According to Trimble, a leading provider of construction technology solutions, a dedicated project management software for construction can eliminate version confusion, access issues, and time wastage. The company outlines three main challenges that capital project owners and construction project managers encounter when keeping, organising, and disseminating project-related documents to consultants, subcontractors, and contractors.

These include the high cost of printing and mailing, where the expenses of printing and mailing hard-copy documents for distribution can quickly add up, especially when plans change, or additional details must be shared. Disorganised electronic files present another challenge since they are frequently cluttered, making document location difficult. It can be difficult for inexperienced users to use Microsoft-like folder structures and distribute documents via an FTP site. Comparably, outdated information is another issue that arises when team members are unable to find the most recent information. This can lead to needless change orders and delays in projects, which can also have a detrimental effect on the budget.

Offline solutions

To address these challenges, Trimble offers innovative solutions such as Viewpoint Field View and Viewpoint for Projects, designed to enhance construction document management by centralising information and streamlining processes.

Viewpoint Field View is a cloud-based and offline mobile solution designed to replace pen and paper in the field for snagging, forms and permits, project delivery, and handover. Field View enhances team productivity by allowing them to spend more time on-site and less time on administrative tasks back in the office—ultimately saving time, reducing costs, and mitigating risks. This solution enables field teams to efficiently manage tasks, track progress, and communicate updates without the delays associated with traditional methods. By integrating field data with project management systems, Viewpoint Field View helps reduce errors, improve decision-making, and enhance overall project efficiency.

Viewpoint for Projects, on the other hand, targets site management by offering a comprehensive platform for managing all project documents and communications. It is a construction document management system that streamlines project documentation, enables seamless sharing, control, and collaboration on project documents and drawings, all while maintaining strict revision control. This solution centralises information, making it easily accessible to all stakeholders involved in the project. With features that support document control, version management, and collaboration, Viewpoint for Projects helps ensure access to the most current information, thus reducing the risk of delays and costly changes.

Construction document management software have been utilised previously on several projects in the UAE. For instance, the Dubai Metro project is a notable example of a particularly effective document management system implementation during a period of rapid growth in the UAE. The project encountered numerous challenges throughout its lifecycle, from conception to completion. In order to better guide future projects, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) documented these difficulties, emphasising increased stakeholder collaboration, streamlined workflows, and improved document accessibility as crucial factors.

Today, the industry has evolved with innovative software systems offering advanced features for field and project management. Companies like Trimble are leading the way with solutions such as Viewpoint Field View and Viewpoint for Projects, designed to efficiently manage construction documents. By centralising document and information management, Trimble's construction project management software and construction document management software establishes a single, reliable source of information.

In comparison to previous projects, contemporary systems like the comprehensive Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) used for the new Abu Dhabi International Airport Midfield Terminal Building that opened in 2023, also offer significant improvements. This system oversees contracts, construction documents, and communication between contractors and stakeholders, demonstrating how modern solutions contribute to better project management and outcomes.

Solutions like Trimble's Viewpoint Field View and Viewpoint for Projects, set to make a significant impact in the Middle East, are designed to enhance construction document management and streamline processes within the ever-evolving construction ecosystem. These advanced systems highlight the ongoing commitment to simplifying project management and boosting operational efficiency, showcasing the industry's dedication to innovation and continuous improvement.

This article is penned by Trimble.

Akinwumi Adesina attending the event in Riyadh. (Image source: AfDB)

Speaking at the Saudi Fund for Development’s 50th anniversary celebration, Akinwumi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), has praised Saudi Arabia for its support, dedication and friendliness to Africa

The president said the fund translated the pulse of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia into development support in Africa. “Its work covers 407 projects in 41 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, with support of over US$5.3bn,” he noted.

As outlined by AfDB, projects the country has financed range from irrigation to produce food, dams for energy, hospitals for mothers and their babies, electricity to light up schools and enhance learning, airports and roads to link countries, counties and communities. These efforts have been part of an attempt to develop a deeper friendship and engagement between Saudi Arabia and Africa.

Adesina remarked that the Saudi Fund for Development stands out in the development financing landscape due to its “unlimited territorial scope” and its focus on “countries need”.

“That means: Open heart. Open hands. Open purse. Its success is rooted in its values, reflected by its acronym, SDF, which I call: Supportive. Dedicated. Friendly. That’s why countries appreciate the SDF,” he continued. “The African Development Bank is your friend and strategic partner in Africa… I wish the Saudi Fund for Development another 50 exciting years ahead, as we partner together to support Africa with renewed dedication to accelerate Africa’s development.

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