To know more about the construction equipment industry
To know more about the construction equipment industry
Contributing with technology
Kato Works products in action in the extremely cold Antarctic
CASE 02Promoting Safe Construction
CASE 03Manufacturing initiatives
CASE 04Contribution to the development of the Chuo Shinkansen maglev line
Since 2015, Kato Works has delivered a 35-ton rough terrain crane MR-350Ri, an 8-ton class hydraulic excavator HD308US-6, and a compact track loader CL45 to Syowa Station in Antarctica, where the lowest temperature is -45 degrees Celsius.
Kato Works’ construction machinery has been enormously helpful in various fields, such as new construction and reconstruction of the observation facility in Antarctica "Showa Station", ground preparation for that purpose, snow removal work, and transportation of goods. The equipment will be transported by the Antarctic observation ship “Shirase”. Therefore, large machines such as rough terrain cranes have unique specifications which enable disassembly for loading on the observation ship. In addition, the fuel, hydraulic oil and other fluids are designed for cold regions so that they can operate without problems in the extremes of the Antarctic.
At Syowa Station, important observations related to celestial bodies, meteorology, earth science, biology and other fields are being conducted every day under severe conditions. Through construction machinery, Kato Works supports the lives and research of expedition members who continually work hard in harsh conditions.
Since 2016, Furukawa Rock Drill has been introducing "Drill NAVI", a quantitative bedrock evaluation system that uses three-dimensional drilling energy, to be installed on its tunnel excavator Drill Jumbo. Drill NAVI is particularly useful for Drill Jumbo in digging holes for explosive charges into bedrock at mountain tunnel construction sites.
In mountain tunnel excavation, it is vitally important to select an appropriate support structure according to the ground conditions to improve safety and reduce costs. In general, the selection is performed based on the tunnel face observation and the measurement results of the displacement of the excavated cross sections. However, the geology of the tunnel is seldom constant.
Drill NAVI, which is capable of evaluating bedrock quantitatively using three-dimensional drilling energy, not only enables safety management of the tunnel face to be drilled and optimization of the blasting pattern, but also the selection of the optimum support pattern and auxiliary construction method.
Drill NAVI mounted on Drill Jumbo will assist operators who engage in rapid construction on large sections to perform the work swiftly, accurately, safely and with a sense of security.
Furukawa Rock Drill will continue to build up its track record as an indispensable presence in tunnel construction —work that supports behind the scenes development of roads, railways and all other public infrastructure.
TOKYO SKYTREE opened on May 22, 2012. At the construction site of the tallest tower in the world, IHI Transport Machinery's "jib climbing cranes" played an active role.
Seeing its technology, which had contributed to the construction of many of Japan's other leading skyscrapers, also used in this gigantic project made the Company extremely proud of having fulfilled this great responsibility.
At the time of the construction, there were no buildings taller than 300m in Japan, so IHI Transport Machinery worked with construction companies to develop a tower crane with unique specifications for building a tower with a height of 634m. In order to lift at an unknown height and environment, IHI Transport Machinery took thorough safety measures with different emergency scenarios into consideration, including a backup system for precision equipment in the event of an earthquake, storm, or lightning strike. Thanks to these carefully placed countermeasures, no damage to the structure was confirmed from the Great East Japan Earthquake that struck during construction. The tower reached a height of 634m one week later.
IHI Transport Machinery will continue to contribute to the construction of future skyscrapers with its technology.
KOKEN contributes to the Chuo Shinkansen maglev line development project by developing survey equipment for long horizontal boring — a contribution to realize the new railway that provides high-speed accessibility to many regions while minimizing damage to the environment.
The development and operation of the maglev line has the potential to further invigorate exchanges with regions that previously took a long time to access, creating new employment and new economic activities. If the land of Japan is covered by high-speed rail link, many people will have new employment opportunities. In addition, the maglev line, which makes extensive use of tunnels, can be laid without destroying the mountainous environment, and is effective in curbing deforestation.
For its successful completion, the project will require the participation of numerous companies with extensive experience and technology in their fields, which will also prompt active technical exchanges between the participating companies.
