Development of antipersonnel mine detecting and disposing equipment

Announcement of newly-developed machines in relation to the pursuance of a technological research and development project of antipersonnel mine detecting and disposing equipment/devices

At the Masaru Ibuka memorial hall of Waseda University, Tokyo on June 10, 2004, a colloquium was held by and including the corporate and university specialists concerned pursuing the project above. On that occasion, the study team we take part in made announcements of a newly-developed prototype machine.

The project kicked off under an industry-university-government co-operation, being as part of the Afghanistan Revival Aid policies initiated by our government. In our case, in conjunction with Kagawa University and the Prefectural Industrial Technology Center of our hometown, we proceeded with the subject focusing study on the development of equipment of which detective sensor could be accessible to minefields. (a machine for access to minefields)

A prototype machine for access (to minefields)

The machine has a newly-designed long reach arm.

What we needed was further enhancement of our hydraulic crane-related technologies adaptable to the evolution of such products so that mine detection and disposal operations that would no doubt involve grave risks could be carried out in a safe, sure and efficient manner.

The major features of this machine are that while inheriting the outer appearance of a 12-ton capacity GR-120N (basis machine) rough terrain crane, it has lighter and yet more rigid multiple boom sections with a long-reach arm, at the tip of which control systems are provided to have its mine detective sensor located precisely over minefields. A sufficiently long distance secured from the minefields would contribute toward enhanced work safety.

In addition to the basic machine's advantage in mobility on uneven ground or in narrow places, we have made available for use both rough terrain tires and rubber tracks for this machine either of which can be mounted and demounted to make travel easier in hilly areas, waste land, muddy places as well as snowy regions. The availability of such versions would help extend operation areas in the county, since they are so designed as to meet full-of-variety topographical conditions there.

Other features include reduction of boom swing jerkiness, introduction of newly-developed, high-speed communication technologies by computer as well as the adoption of precise measurement systems of a distance between the surface of the ground and the location of laid mines by means of a laser radar. Currently we are checking mine probe operations for accuracy by using a computer simulator.

Our schedule after this is as follows;

1. The manufacture of the machine itself is to be completed by the end of this year.
2. After the installation of the mine detective sensor in its body (the former of which is currently under development by other members of our team), the machine will be locally put to the proof, and finally its assessment tests are expected to be implemented in the country by around the end of August next year.

Imaged fig. Demonstrating worksite operations using the machine for access (to minefields)

The employment of a long-reach arm makes possible mine-probe operations along by the slope of steep hills.