GIKEN LTD. is launching the new SX series to solve issues in the construction industry. The construction industry is facing the aggravating issue of aging technicians and a shortage of labour, requiring the creation of environments where people with little experience can also be involved in construction without worries. This series offers next-generation press-in construction combining press-in technology with digital technology by linking to various types of apps based on the cloud data platform G-Lab™ provided by GIKEN. Equipped with an autonomous operation function and an operation assistance function using construction data of technicians accumulated over the years, the SX series achieves stable construction quality and operator workload reduction. A function that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to propose the most appropriate autonomous operations for each site is also scheduled to be added to the apps next summer. Through automation and labour saving, the series accelerates transformation into construction sites where anyone can play an active role and sets a new standard that enhances the sustainability of the construction industry.
SILENT PILER™ ST400SX, which is compatible with U sheet piles having a width of 400 mm, will be launched next spring as the first product of this series. The battery electric power unit MUB150, which serves as the power source, will also be launched at the same time. Starting first with a machine capable of handling mainstream U sheet piles with a width of 400 mm, GIKEN plans to launch the multi-functional SILENT PILER™ HA400SX—which can handle hard ground—next summer and will sequentially launch models compatible with various pile elements, ground conditions, and constraints in the future.
SILENT PILER™ is welcoming its 50th anniversary this year since the development of the first unit in 1975. At this milestone, as a development-based company that solves social issues, GIKEN has brought together its technological capabilities to create the SX series with a vision for construction sites of the future. Going forwards, GIKEN will strengthen its proposals of construction solutions that respond to key social issues—such as national resilience, disaster measures, and urban redevelopment—and contribute to the realisation of a sustainable society. GIKEN will continue to take on challenges to achieve safe, secure, and comfortable urban development for the future.
■ 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 environmental impact reduction and designs that are easy for anyone to use. Meanwhile, “X” represents “Transformation” that transforms the future of construction sites.
■ Key Features of the SX Series
[Smart support—Autonomous operation and operation support]
Press-in data during construction (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. Values that are set during press-in—such as press-in force and press-in speed—are automatically set by the autonomous operation support app G-Lab Nexus based on the stored data and transmitted to the press-in machine. Press-in actions (such as up and down strokes) are automatically controlled according to the set values, achieving stable construction quality. A function that uses AI—which has been trained on data stored on the cloud—to propose the most appropriate autonomous operations for each site is also scheduled to be added next summer.
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, interlock threading*1, and pile-head alignment*2. 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.
*1 Fitting of protrusions (interlocks) on both sides to link piles
*2 Alignment of upper position of piles that have been pressed in
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
Pile-head alignment assist
Automatically stops press-in operation at pile-head position
[Specialized design—Optimisation of machine specifications]
A specialized design—optimised for each site’s ground conditions and constraints—achieves both efficiency and stability to meet diverse construction needs. GIKEN offers a lineup that thoroughly spans a range of dimensions, mass, and power for all kinds of sites. These include lightweight models suitable for constraints in sites found in places such as urban areas and narrow areas. There are also models that cover a wide range of ground conditions using three press-in modes: standard press-in, water jetting press-in, and hard ground press-in.
[Sustainability—Improvement of sustainability]
Press-in construction with zero CO2 emission is achieved through the adoption of an electric power unit. In addition, amid aging of technicians, accumulating press-in data early is expected to lead to the sustainable passing down of technology through future AI learning and reflection in automated construction systems. Due to the autonomous operation function and operation assistance function, even people with little experience can handle the machine easily, building a sustainable construction system that both reduces environmental impact and promotes the active participation of human resources.
■SILENT PILER™ ST400SX
This machine is compatible with U sheet piles having a width of 400 mm. It has evolved in its mobility and adaptability on site, such as being 200 kg lighter than the current SILENT PILER™ F101 and having a higher extraction force by 100 kN. It also has high responsiveness, allowing it to switch instantly from press-in to extraction, reducing the up/down-stroke cycle time (the time required for the actions of press-in and extraction for a single pile) by approximately 37%*3. It is also compatible with battery electric power units, enabling press-in construction with zero CO2 emission.
*3 Measured using autonomous operation of piling without interlock threading at the testing facility of GIKEN.
[Measurement conditions] Ground: Silt, sand (SPT-N value ≦ 25); Press-in force: 250 kN; Stroke: Press-in 30 cm, extraction 10 cm
Values may vary depending on site conditions and press-in settings.
| ST400SX | F101 | ||
| Applicable Pile | 400-mm width U sheet pile (Type II, III, and IV) | 400-mm width U sheet pile (Type II, III, and IV) | |
| Press-in Force | 800 kN | 800 kN | |
| Extraction Force | 1,000 kN | 900 kN | |
| Chuck up/down stroke | 750 mm | 800 mm | |
| Mass (standard press-in) | 3C specification 5,200 kg | 3C specification 5,400 kg | |
| Mass (standard press-in) | 4C specification 5,600 kg | 4C specification 5,800 kg | |
| Power Unit | EU200R4 (diesel engine) MUB150 (battery) | EU200L4 (diesel engine) |
* The specifications of this model and related products may change without prior notice.
■SILENT PILER™ HA400SX
Three press-in modes can be chosen with this single unit: standard press-in, water jetting press-in, or hard ground press-in. It is a multi-functional machine that is compatible with U sheet piles having a width of 400 mm. This lightweight and compact machine 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. It is 2,450 kg lighter than the SILENT PILER™ F112, which targets soil with a SPT-N value of around 250 to 600. It achieves high mobility.
Target ground (compared to F112)
| HA400SX | F112 | ||
| Applicable Pile | 400-mm width U sheet pile (Model II, III, and IV) | 400-mm width U sheet pile (Model II, III, and IV) | |
| Press-in Force (Standard / Water Jetting) | 780 kN | ― | |
| Press-in Force (Hard Ground) | 780 kN | 800 kN | |
| Extraction Force (Standard / Water Jetting) | 900 kN | ― | |
| Extraction Force (Hard Ground) | 900 kN | 900 kN | |
| Chuck up/down stroke | 1,000 mm | 850 mm | |
| Mass (Press-in machine main body) | 7,000 kg | 7,950 kg | |
| Mass (Standard / Water Jetting specifications) | 7,200 kg | ― | |
| Mass (Hard Ground specifications ) | 8,350 kg | 10,800 kg | |
| Power Unit | EU300M5 | EU300L5 | |
| Pile Auger | PA27 | PA25 | |
| Applicable pile length | Up to 15 m | Up to 24 m | |
| Maximum torque | 35 kN・m | 118 kN・m | |
| Total mass | 7,200 kg (for 15 m specifications) | 12,000 kg (for 24 m specifications) |
* The specifications of this model and related products may change without prior notice.
■Battery Electric Power Unit MUB150
This is the power source for the ST400SX (155 kW rated output) class of the SILENT PILER™ hydraulic pile press-in and extraction machine. It does not emit CO2 as the hydraulic pump is driven by an electric motor, rather than a diesel engine, to generate hydraulic power for the machine. Furthermore, it is powered by battery and does not require a large power supply or power cables, making it is easy to introduce at sites, significantly expanding the number of zero-emission press-in construction sites. It is also extremely quiet, with noise levels 15 dB below the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s ultra-low noise reference value (98 dB) and 8 dB lower than conventional engine-powered power units. The battery electric power unit is also scheduled to be gradually expanded to the other press-in machine classes.
| MUB150 (battery) | EU200R4 (diesel engine) | |
| Rate output | 155 kW/1,800 rpm | 162 kW/1,800 rpm |
| Battery capacity | 202 kWh | ― |
| Hydraulic oil tank capacity | 490 L | 490 L |
| Noise level (sound power level LwA) | 83 dB | 91 dB |
| Mass | 6,750 kg | 5,650 kg |
* The specifications of this model and related products may change without prior notice.
■ 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. Launched in June 2025, the platform includes the G-Lab Fleet machine management app, G-Lab Site worksite management app, and G-Lab Finder technical information search app, with the new addition of G-Lab Nexus this time. It contributes to the rationalisation and optimisation of construction-related processes through autonomous operation using stored data.
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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