March 2009 Vol. 64 No. 3
General
First Look: Cosmic Top Hat Introduces All-In-One Robotic Crawler
A new self-propelled, all-in-one robotic crawler/cutter/video system for reinstating laterals in newly lined sewer mains has been introduced to the North American market by Cosmic Top Hat, LLC.
The company’s Eliminator lateral connection sealing system was featured at the 2009 UCT show in San Antonio and is available for purchase and delivery now, says Chris Scarrett, chief operating officer of Cosmic Top Hat.
“The Cosmic Top Hat Eliminator,” says Scarrett, “is the only product currently available in the U.S. that combines lateral cutting capabilities with a video inspection camera. If also differs from other lateral cutters by being powered by electricity, rather than air.”
The designed capabilities of the Eliminator offers several advantages over the types of cutting equipment most often used to reinstate laterals, says Scarrett. Those advantages include:
- The Eliminator is self propelled so it does not have to be winched through the pipe, eliminating the need for a winch and second manhole for access;
- The equipment can be operated by one person, rather than two;
- The Eliminator cuts faster than conventional equipment, reducing cutting time and permitting more cuts per work day; and
- No air compressor and air supply hose are needed, eliminating cost of fuel for a compressor.
Design
The basic Eliminator is designed to reinstate laterals in six inch pipes with attachments available for use in pipes to 24 inches in diameter. Power is provided by a 3 horsepower electric motor powered by a 6.5 watt generator. Cutting is accomplished by a special diamond cutting head.
The Eliminator is manufactured in Austria by Cosmic Sondermaschinenbau Gmbh which produces several models of Top Hat and has been active in the sewer rehabilitation industry for more than 20 years. Other products include an internal spot repair system of UV cured glass composite and a proven UV cured Top Hat system that has been installed in more than 50,000 locations worldwide.
Although new to the U.S., the Eliminator has been sold in Europe for nearly a year, and its robotic component has been proven through extensive use by other of the company’s cutter models.
Scarrett believes the new product will have a significant impact in the U.S. rehabilitation industry.
“Many perceive reinstating laterals as the weakest part of the relining process,” he says. “The Eliminator addresses that issue by providing more efficient, faster cutting times with reduced labor requirements. And both of these benefits can contribute to cost savings.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Cosmic Top Hat: (424) 558-9872, www.cosmic.at
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