Advanced Automated Asphalt Saw, AUTOSAW II

The cutting machines proposed in the market are normally standard saws for field use in the building industry, modified to clamp and to cut samples. They do not assure the rigidity and stability to obtain precisely specimens for laboratory use. For this reason we have designed and produced specifically designed Asphalt saws to fulfill the stringent requirements of the relevant Standards and, consequently, of the Research and Central laboratories.

The Autosaw is an automated specimen clamping and sawing system for fast, accurate cutting of beams from asphalt prisms prepared in the PReSBOX or slab compactor and for trimming cylinders from GALILEO, GYROCOMP, SERVOPAC and other gyratory compactors. An easy-to-use spacer system sets the specimen position and allows beams or cores to be cut without the need for measurement. The saw blade advances and retracts to the home position automatically. The Autosaw includes the multislab jig. Completed with the suitable accessory, can be used to cut also asphalt cores at the desired length. It can be fitted with 650 mm dia. blade with a maximum cutting depth of 200 mm and prism length of 500 mm (extendable to 700 mm, on request). Cutting speed is operator selectable for optimum specimen finish and throughput. The asphalt saw allows an easy-to-use sawing systems for fast, accurate cutting of beams for asphalt prisms to be used in the different tests. Complete with table and clamping device for slabs, water pump for cooling the blade and filtering system.

The Autosaw can be used as part of your Superpave performance based testing program.

Main features

• Touch screen CPU control allows for easy set-up including carriage speed and retraction sequence
• Intelligent system with adjustable limit switches allow for repetitive cuts with minimal carriage overtravel saving time
• Protection cabinet with several automatic locking access doors to ensure unparalleled safety and clean operation in laboratory environments.
• Slab and prism of any shape and dimensions can be sawn without additional accessories (see table for maximum dimensions)
• Pneumatic clamping of prisms and cores
• Compressed air gun for cleaning specimens and sawing system
• Easy spacer system allows precise preparation of beams or cores
• Automatic advance and retraction of saw blade to home position
• Adjustable cutting speed for optimum specimen finish and throughput
• Numerous interlocks to ensure operator safety
• Motor features dynamic braking to immediately stop while switched off
• Motor mounted on twin chrome-plated steel rails with sealed bearings
• Stainless steel water collection pan
• Unique clamping mechanism for cylindrical specimens minimizes specimen damage. Use of a sacrificial PVC tube produces a superior finish and minimizes edge chipping
• Jig for round cores, 100 or 150 mm dia, with both automatic or manual feeding of the sample, length up to 200 mm, and jig for 200 mm dia. cores with manual feeding
• Quick and easy specimen set-up