Wirtgen launches Vacuum Cutting System for cold milling machines

The world market leader in cold milling machines launches the new Vacuum Cutting System suitable for use in front-loading road milling machines. VCS reduces the amount of airborne material particles which are produced by the milling process. Wirtgen GmbH is the only manufacturer worldwide to offer a Vacuum Cutting System for cold milling machines.

VCS in detail

The VCS – VCS being short for Vacuum Cutting System – works according to the following principle: fine material particles and water vapour are created inside the milling drum assembly during the milling process. VCS applies negative pressure to suck these fine particles into the milling machine’s short conveyor channel. Additional sealing of the milling drum assembly supports this process. A suction hood located above the conveyor channel sucks the particles into two hoses which transport the extracted material particles directly to the long conveyor of the loading system, thus avoiding the point of transfer of the milled material from the short to the long conveyor. Here again, the process is supported by sealings in the short conveyor channel and at the suction hood. A hydraulically driven centrifugal fan installed on the conveyor additionally ensures that the extracted material is fed into the long conveyor channel. Negative pressure is created in the milling drum assembly at the same time. Additional injection of water at this point binds most of the particles. The water-bound particles are finally returned into the stream of material and are, for the most part, fed into the truck together with the milled material during the loading process.

Ideal working conditions for the machine operator

Benefits for the machine operator resulting from the immediate extraction of particles include a perfect view of the milling edge. VCS provides significantly improved visibility in particular when cold milling machines are in operation at night. Yet another advantage resulting from the use of the optional VCS in cold milling machines is the distinctly reduced level of contamination of the engine by the fine particles created during milling. Reduced contamination, in turn, benefits machine users and maintenance staff when it comes to replacing diesel, air and oil filters. In the long term, this will result in corresponding cost savings. VCS offers additional positive effects in that in particular those parts of the cold milling machine generally remain cleaner which are especially prone to the adverse impact of the fine material particles, such as the greased lifting column guides. The W 100 F, W 120 F and W 130 F small milling machines, as well as the W 150, W 200, W 210, W 2100 and W 2200 large milling machines are suitable for use with the vacuum cutting system.

Positive results in test series

Wirtgen has made the machine operator and his workplace the centre of its engineering and development work for many years. Current issues related to safety at work, such as the discussion on the adverse effects of fine particles on the machine operator, are followed in the construction equipment industry with great interest. Technical innovations like the vacuum cutting system, which is a result of Wirtgen GmbH addressing this issue in the most thorough fashion, make a contribution towards reducing any potential health risks.
An independent testing laboratory has performed extensive test series on Wirtgen cold milling machines equipped with the Vacuum Cutting System – with successful results: the VCS technology is recommended by the Employer’s Liability Insurance Associations on the basis of these tests.

source: http://www.wirtgen-group.com/budapest/en/news-media/press-releases/press-releases-detail.2432.php