Multifunctional in the house connection

Pipetronics GmbH & Co. KG, a leading manufacturer of intelligent robot systems for trenchless sewer rehabilitation, also offers these for house connections. The fully electric eCutter lateral, further developed by Pipetronics experts, is a powerful yet compact solution for rehabilitating smaller pipe diameters. With its flexible modular design and wide range of functions, the milling robot is suitable for a variety of different applications. Pipetronics has now further optimized the robot with additional robot head variants and various drum units to choose from. This makes the eCutter lateral even easier to adapt to individual customer requirements.
 

 

The powerful eCutter lateral milling robot from Pipetronics is a true all-rounder. It is particularly impressive at thoroughly removing deposits, obstacles, encrustations, and protruding connections, but also effortlessly removes transverse iron bars and can open the inlets of hose liners. “Until now, our eCutter lateral had a milling head for pipe diameters DN 100 to 200. But we weren't satisfied with that, so we're now offering our customers two additional milling heads for DN 75 to 100 and DN 200 to 300,” says Markus Lämmerhirt, Technical Director at Pipetronics. According to Lämmerhirt, the smaller milling head variant for the DN 75 to 100 range is already in production and will enter the construction site testing phase in spring 2024.

Optimized work processes and sophisticated camera technology

Further advantages of the enhanced version of the lateral eCutter: It is controlled via a central control panel, which optimizes work processes and simplifies handling. The robot's enormous flexibility is also evident in product features such as electric extension up to 45 millimeters, endless electric rotation, and electric lifting of the milling head – all factors that ensure maximum precision in pipe repair. It is also equipped with both a front and rear camera. The front camera plays a crucial role in the precise visual detection of the working environment and the damaged area. It is additionally equipped with a windscreen wiper for this purpose. The rear camera is used to check that the robot is precisely and reliably centered during operation and supports the processes involved in returning the robot from the sewer. The rear camera is particularly important in lined pipes, where the liner material can fold at junctions.

Safe operation and easy handling

Once the eCutter is positioned laterally in the pipe at the point to be repaired, it is pneumatically braced in the center of the pipe. Two brace bladders ensure stable fixation and safe working. The milling head can then be moved axially by 45 millimeters parallel to the pipe wall, rotating and swivelling towards the damaged area by means of the electric feed. Its endless rotation eliminates the need to turn the milling head back. The work area is monitored by a monitor to which the images from the front and rear cameras are transmitted. Another advantage of the eCutter lateral is its modular design. It allows individual components to be replaced quickly and easily. Cameras, robot heads, and tensioning bladders can be easily exchanged as needed. This simplifies maintenance and saves time.

Maximum flexibility thanks to the modular design

A new strength of the eCutter lateral is its modular design. The robot can be equipped with either a large control panel with a 19-inch monitor or a compact control case with a 12-inch monitor. The control unit is included in both versions and thus ensures precise control of the robot during renovation in both cases. The CableReel drum units are available in Extended, Rotate, and Fixed versions. The robot combination cable has a standard length of 25 meters, but can be extended to up to 50 meters as an option. All components are coordinated so that the robot equipment can be configured individually as required.

Optional extension for special requirements

Even in its standard version, the eCutter lateral is an excellently equipped, multifunctional robot system. Depending on requirements, it can be expanded with additional useful gadgets such as a high-pressure water connection. Together with the back jet, this supports the robot's forward movement when it is inserted into the sewer. Controlled side jets and sole nozzles also allow flexible turning into branches. The front jet ensures thorough cleaning of the damaged area. The removal of milled material is also optimized by the high-pressure water. When removing metallic obstacles, the milled material and the milling head can be cooled. And even with viscous milled material, the high-pressure water option always provides a clear view of the work area.

The powerful eCutter lateral robot from Pipetronics now offers even more advantages in its new version, clearly setting it apart from conventional house connection systems for trenchless pipe rehabilitation.