GIKEN LTD. announced the launch of the hydraulic pile press-in and extraction machine SILENT PILER™ HA400SX, the second product in the SX series aimed at solving issues in the construction industry. SILENT PILER™ HA400SX is a multi-functional press-in machine compatible with 400-mm width U sheet piles and has been available since 1 July. Equipped with a pile auger, it can use the Hard Ground Press-in Method that couples pile press-in and auger drilling. It improves press-in efficiency on moderately hard ground, which sees high demand, it also has better mobility due to being lighter and more compact. In addition to autonomous operation and operation support functions, artificial intelligence (AI) can be used by connecting to an app, making it a product for next-generation press-in construction.
The SX series combines press-in technology with digital technology by linking to various types of apps based on the cloud data platform G-Lab™ provided by GIKEN. Besides pursuing the optimal machinery specifications and sustainability, the series incorporates support functions such as autonomous operation and operation support. These features help address challenges facing the construction industry, including an aging workforce and labour shortages.
In recent years, construction sites have been seeing greater diversification of constraints and more changes in workforce composition, requiring sophisticated and rapid decision-making. There is an urgent need to share, across construction sites, judgment criteria and operational expertise that have relied on the experience of technicians in the past. In response to this situation, this product collects construction data from experienced technicians operating press-in machines and stores it on the cloud, linking it with the autonomous operation support app G-Lab Nexus. This app has a newly added AI that was trained on knowledge combining construction data with expertise from the GIKEN Group, a pioneer and leader in press-in technology, and digitally supports on-site decision-making. It proposes optimal values for the settings during press-in operation (such as press-in force and press-in speed), and the press-in machine carries out autonomous operation based on those values, enabling consistent construction quality regardless of the operator's level of experience.
GIKEN will continue to sequentially launch models compatible with various pile elements, ground conditions, and site constraints in the future. It will also strengthen its proposals of construction solutions that respond to key social issues—such as national resilience, disaster prevention and mitigation, and urban redevelopment—and contribute to the realisation of a sustainable society.
■ Concept of SX Series
The “S” in SX represents three values: “Smart support” that achieves stable construction quality and reduced workload through autonomous operation and operation support; “Specialized design” that provides machines with optimal specifications for a variety of sites; and “Sustainability” that contributes to sustainable construction through designs that are easy for anyone to use. Meanwhile, “X” represents “Transformation” that transforms the future of construction sites.
■ Key Features of HA400SX
[Smart support—Autonomous operation and operation support]
Press-in construction data (such as penetration resistance and required time for each depth) is collected and the expertise of technicians is stored as digital data on the cloud. Traditionally, press-in force, press-in speed, and other values for autonomous operation are manually entered by the operator. Press-in actions (such as up and down strokes) are automatically controlled according to the set values. Using the autonomous operation support app G-Lab Nexus, settings are selected based on the stored construction data and automatically entered. A new AI-assist function was also added to this app. This AI—which was trained on construction data as well as specialised expertise regarding construction methods, construction sites, and maintenance in the possession of the GIKEN Group—proposes the optimal settings. This helps minimise variations in on-site decision-making and achieve highly consistent construction performance.
In addition to a function that automates the self-moving operation of the press-in machine with one touch, it is also equipped with a function that assists in pile pitching and interlock threading*. This improves the efficiency of routine machine operations in the press-in process, reducing work time and operator load. It contributes towards labour saving as well as safety improvement by helping to reduce the risk of wrong operations.
* Fitting of protrusions (interlocks) on both sides to link piles
Achieves one-touch self-moving operation
Pitching position assist
Remembers pitching position of steel sheet piles and automatically adjusts chuck and leader mast
Interlock threading assist
Automatically adjusts chuck and leader mast to the interlock’s thread position
[Specialized design—Optimisation of machine specifications]
A specialized design is adopted to optimise the machine’s dimensions, mass, and power for each site’s ground conditions and other constraints. With its lightweight and compact design, the HA400SX is most suited for layers—such as sandy gravel and boulder—with a SPT-N value (ground hardness) of around 50 to 250, for which demand is particularly high. The number of clamps has been reduced from four in the previous model (SCU-ECO400S) to three to achieve high mobility so that it can be used in urban areas and other construction sites with narrow mobilisation routes and working space.
The leader mast rotation lock and chuck rotation lock have also been strengthened, and a left/right lock was added to the clamp. By keeping the main body of the press-in machine firmly stationary during auger drilling, it can convey rotational torque to the ground with better efficiency compared to the previous model. Furthermore, the casing connection system was improved. It is now possible to grip the chuck at the connection point, improving efficiency during autonomous operation.
Target ground
[Sustainability—Improvement of sustainability]
Amid aging of technicians, accumulating press-in data early serves as an important foundation supporting the passing down of technology to the next generation, including the use of AI and development of automated construction systems. The AI-assist function in G-Lab Nexus is scheduled to be implemented on all G-Lab™ series products in the future. The AI on the app was trained on integrated knowledge unique to the GIKEN Group, providing the necessary information accurately and instantaneously. This achieves high-quality support that is not affected by time or situation. It also comes with an autonomous operation function and operation support function. With an environment where even people with little experience can handle the machine easily, it contributes toward the building of a sustainable construction system from the aspect of encouraging the active participation of human resources.
■ Basic Performance
| HA400SX | SCU-ECO400S | F112 | ||
| Applicable Pile | 400-mm width U sheet pile (Type II, III, and IV) | 400-mm width U sheet pile (Type II, III, and IV) | 400-mm width U sheet pile (Type II, III, and IV) | |
| Main Target Ground | SPT-N value of 50 to 250 | SPT-N value of 50 to 250 | SPT-N value of 250 to 600 | |
| Maximum Press-in Force (Standard / Water Jetting) | 780 kN | 780 kN | 1, 000 kN | |
| Maximum Press-in Force (Hard Ground) | 780 kN | 780 kN | 800 kN | |
| Maximum Extraction Force (Standard / Water Jetting) | 900 kN | 880 kN | 1,100 kN | |
| Maximum Extraction Force (Hard Ground) | 900 kN | 880 kN | 900 kN | |
| Chuck Up/Down Stroke | 1,000 ㎜ | 1,000 ㎜ | 850 ㎜ | |
| Mass (Standard / Water Jetting) | 7,200 k | 7,400 kg | 7,200 k | |
| Mass (Hard Ground) | 8,350 kg | 8,550 kg | 10,800 kg | |
| Power Unit | EU300M5 | EU200H3 | EU300L5 | |
| Pile Auger | PA27 | PA14 | PA25 | |
| Applicable Pile Length | 15 m or less | 15 m or less | 24 m or less | |
| Maximum Torque | 35 kN・m | 35 kN・m | 118 kN・m | |
| Total Mass | (for 15-m specification) 7,300 kg | (for 15-m specification) 7,450 kg | (for 24-m specification) 12,000 kg |
* The specifications of this model and related products may change without prior notice.
■ About the Hard Ground Press-in Method
This is a piling method that attaches a pile auger onto the SILENT PILER™ to press-in steel sheet piles into hard ground under the unique coring theory of simultaneous pressing-in and augering. Pressing-in can be carried out even on sandy gravel mixed with boulders, rock, or other types of ground without losing the superiorities of the press-in technology, such as vibration-free, noise-free, and space-saving construction.
Since pile press-in and ground excavation can be carried out by the same machine, there is no need to replace the ground with sand like in other construction methods. This approach reduces both the construction period and costs, resulting in extremely efficient construction. The amount of soil discharged is also low by minimising excavation, and completed piles with strong bearing capacity can be built without disturbing the surrounding ground.
■ About Multi-Functional Press-in Machines
A multi-functional press-in machine is a pile press-in and extraction machine that allows three press-in modes to be chosen by changing the attachment: standard press-in, water jetting press-in, or hard ground press-in. It can respond to various site conditions and construction environments, increasing the operating rates of construction sites.
■ About G-Lab™
G-Lab™ is a data platform that allows the full range of information about press-in construction to be collected and centrally managed in the cloud. Data stored on the cloud—such as machine operating status, construction sites, and technological information—is systematically organised and used to support decision-making at sites. The lineup includes the G-Lab Fleet machine management app, G-Lab Site worksite management app, G-Lab Finder technical information search app, and the G-Lab Nexus autonomous operation support app.
Please see the website of GIKEN for details about the G-Lab™ series.
https://www.giken.com/ja/products/ict/g-lab/ (in Japanese)
■Profile of GIKEN Group
GIKEN developed the SILENT PILER™, the world’s first reaction-based, non-vibratory hydraulic pile driving machine that operates with minimal noise impacts. The GIKEN Group now actively promotes its press-in technology worldwide and contributes to the construction industry by proposing and implementing innovative solutions. The innovative press-in technology provides a unique solution and the adoption of this technology has spread to over 40 nations and regions.
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