Wirtgen showcased a variety of innovative technologies at Conexpo 2023, contributing to the construction of sustainable development paths

WIRTGEN showcased a range of high-quality products in the fields of cold milling, recycling, soil stabilization and concrete slipform paving at Conexpo 2023 held in Las Vegas from March 14th to 18th (booth No. : Silver Lot S5020). In addition to introducing nine models from three product fields at this exhibition, Wirtgen Group also launched digital solutions and machine assistance systems.

A comprehensive range of cold milling products

WIRTGEN will bring a powerful half-meter cold milling machine this time for post-discharge construction. The outstanding advantages of this model mainly lie in two aspects: a simple control concept and numerous automated functions. And another front discharge cold milling machine with a working width of 1.3 meters. This F series medium-sized milling machine, which is targeted at the North American market, is equipped with a John Deere engine and is specifically designed to meet the special requirements of cold milling operations.

The exhibition of the other two large milling machines has made the product range of cold milling machines targeting the European and American markets more comprehensive. The W 210 Fi has a wide range of applications, including a series of construction projects ranging from pavement repair to full milling and fine milling. The W 250 Fi large milling machine is powerful in performance. The company has mainly focused its research and development on material loading capacity and machine performance, aiming to achieve maximum output for customers to the greatest extent possible.

The F series cold milling machine can also be equipped with the innovative Mill Assist machine control system and the Wirtgen milling output tracking and recording system for digital recording at the construction site

Cold regeneration and soil stabilization processes - both sustainable and economically efficient

The W 380 CRi,WR 200 XLi and WR 250i can make full and efficient use of resources, which has occupied a certain prominent advantage in the market. The W 380 CRi can be used for cold recycling construction in the post-discharge mode, with a mixing performance as high as 800 t/h, and is suitable for large-width pavement repair operations.

The CR series of regenerative machines can be used for both on-site cold recycling construction (CIR) and full-depth cold recycling construction (FDR) projects. In addition to cold recycling construction, the WR series wheeled recycling machines are also suitable for soil stabilization operations. The working width is 2.4 meters, and it has strong milling and mixing performance. The configuration is comprehensively optimized to fully meet the operation requirements of large areas.

With the digital solutions provided by Wirtgen, the AutoTrac automatic steering assist system and WPT (Wirtgen Performance and Production Tracking System), the construction efficiency has been significantly enhanced.

Flexibility is the key, fully meeting the application requirements of both front and side sliding formwork paving

WIRTGEN will showcase its two customized concrete slipform pavers, SP 15i and SP 94i. The SP 15i features a high degree of flexibility, especially when laying concrete integral structures on the side. Various shaped paver molds can be flexibly installed on the left or right side of the entire machine

The cab of this machine can also be extended and retracted, so the operator can have a wide and clear view of the working area, thereby ensuring high-quality paving results. In addition, this exhibited model is also equipped with the AutoPilot 2.0 slipform paving automatic navigation system professionally developed by Wirtgen, which can achieve slipform paving without a reference line.

The SP 94i is a fully modular front-laying slipform paver. A four-track paver equipped with the TeleMold system also made a stunning debut in Las Vegas. This paver can quickly and flexibly change the working width. It should be noted that the working width can be changed by up to 3 feet on each side, totaling 6 feet.

Innovative cold milling technology

The use of a milling auxiliary system can significantly enhance the working efficiency of milling operations. In automatic mode, the system intelligently adjusts based on milling performance and construction costs, selecting the appropriate working mode. As a result, the engine speed and milling drum speed will also be automatically adjusted accordingly.

In the low-speed range, it can significantly reduce fuel consumption and tool wear. Within the high-speed range, even when dealing with large-scale milling operations, an ideal milling texture can be achieved. The operator can choose from three operation modes: "ECO Energy-saving Mode", "Performance Optimization" and "Milling Texture Quality".

The Wittgen Milling Output Tracking System (WPT) can accurately calculate the milling area, milling output and energy consumption data of the machine. Laser scanners are used to measure the cross-section of the road surface that needs to be milled. Then, with the help of the GPS positioning system and other sensors, the milling area and milling volume are precisely measured. The operator can continuously track and obtain important information in real time through the control panel display screen. After the milling operation is completed, all data related to output and energy consumption will be automatically generated and sent to the operator's email. This greatly reduces the construction time and cost.

Tom Chastain, a cold milling expert from Wirtgen, USA, will give an in-depth introduction to the application of cold milling construction and advanced cold milling technology at the Conexpo educational lecture to be held in Hall 208-210 West of the Las Vegas Convention Center on March 16, 2023.

Adopt resource-saving technologies for regeneration and soil stabilization construction

The Wirtgen WR series of regenerative machines are equipped with the AutoTrac automatic steering assistance system based on satellite positioning and navigation. This not only makes the construction more precise and efficient but also significantly reduces the workload of the operators.

It can precisely control steering within a tolerance range of centimeters, in accordance with the pre-set overlap spacing between the reference road surface and the adjacent road surface, thereby enabling the machine to continuously operate at the ideal working width, significantly improving work efficiency and achieving a double harvest of benefits and environmental protection.

The WR series machines can also be equipped with the Wirtgen performance and output tracking and recording system, which collects all relevant important construction parameters and provides a comprehensive database for the analysis and recording of the work site. For example, during the soil stabilization construction process, all parameters such as working width, working depth, construction area, fuel consumption and others are recorded, and the operator can obtain relevant information at any time.

The slipform paving without reference lines improves the construction efficiency and safety

Compared with traditional measurement methods, Wirtgen has professionally developed the AutoPilot 2.0 slipform paving automatic navigation system, thereby achieving slipform paving without a reference line.

This system can precisely control the height adjustment and steering of the machine, and is suitable for all side-laying pavers and lateral placing machines. It can also refer to the data provided by GNSS signals and various on-board sensors (depending on the configuration, such as on-board ultrasonic sensors), and adopt the slipform paving without reference lines. The construction party does not need to carry out the time-consuming installation and removal of reference lines.

Even for small radii and complex terrains, it can complete the paving operation quickly and accurately. The Wirtgen AutoPilot 2.0 slipform paving automatic navigation system can be machine-controlled and remotely controlled from a single source.