Designed and manufactured in Australia by concrete application machinery specialists Jacon Industries Pty Ltd, the new Viper unit is believed to be the world's most compact, totally integrated robotic shotcrete machine. With an overall length of just 4.85 metres, a width of 1.85 metres and a height of 2.75 metres, the Viper Roboshot MkIII is not only capable of accessing and working in small areas, its extremely compact size enables it to be cage-transported down typical mine shafts, and for added flexibility it can be loaded into a shipping container for transport between sites. Driven by a Deutz BF4M1013 diesel engine and incorporating 4-wheel hydrostatic skid-steering with extra heavy-duty wheel drives, the new unit has also been designed for maximum manoeuvrability in confined spaces and is able to turn on its own axis.

Available Exclusively from MBT (Australia) Pty Ltd, the new Jacon 'Viper Roboshot MkIII unit is ideal for mining, tunnelling and other shotcrete applications with limited access and / or work space - combining full-scale shotcreting performance with an extensive range of practical features in a compact design.

The first new unit was delivered during December, and thanks to its performance in the field, it is already attracting wide-spread interest and orders from both Australia and Overseas. Speaking on the success of the new machine, Mr John Gelson, National Manager - UGC Division, MBT (Australia) Pty Ltd commented:

"The Viper Roboshot MkIII represents a major advance in the performance of compact shotcreting equipment. Thanks to its unique design, mine operators, tunnelling contractors and shotcrete applicators alike, can now have a fully-integrated, high performance robotic shotcrete machine that is compact, manoeuvrable and extremely easy to transport. In addition, the fact that it is manufactured in Australia also results in improved serviceability and spare parts availability which is imperative for high speed mining and tunnelling operations."

One of the key factors in the Viper's success is the way in which its compact design incorporates 'full-scale' features that are usually only associated with much larger machines. The unit features a heavy-duty, triple-extension robotic slew boom and a parallel lancing mechanism with a vertical reach of ten metres and a horizontal reach of eight metres. The robotic head incorporates a 360° slew and 360° robotic rotation, whilst its specially-designed oscillating nozzle and improved nozzle design provides excellent coverage. The shotcrete pump has a theoretical rated output of 30m3 per hour.

The unit's fully-integrated accelerator dosing system utilises a peristaltic type pump to inject admixtures at the spray nozzle. By integrating the dosing pump's operation with the shotcrete pump stroking, the admixture dose rate is constantly matched to the shotcrete output level. The dosing system utilises a 400 litre capacity stainless steel tank (ideal for use with alkali-free accelerators such as Meyco SA160) and an electronic metering system with totalising for the end of each shift. The Viper Roboshot MkIII is delivered with a full-function radio remote-control unit and an 8 metre cord connector for backup operation if required.

Due to the remote nature of the locations in which many of the machines will be operating, the designers have also focussed on reliability and ease of service, utilising quality Rexroth hydraulic components for the drives, brakes, pumps, and heavy duty stabilising legs, together with a Danfoss proportional boon control system.

Mr Eric Rutten, Managing Director of Jacon Industries Pty Ltd, added:

"Well aware of the remote locations and harsh operating conditions under which these machines will be expected to operate, we knew that we had to focus on building a unit that combined compact size with reliable, heavy duty performance. By utilising only top quality componentry and an extra heavy-duty design and construction, we have been able to produce a unit that combines maximum productivity and reliable performance with easy servicing for minimum downtime."