CIFA Underground, machines "Inspired by Nature"

The new "Mamba" shotcrete pump on show at Bauma is designed to simplify the work of the operator and transform the tunnel into a sustainable environment.

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CIFA is present at Bauma 2022, both at the stand of its parent company Zoomlion and at a stand for the Underground sector (HALL C5 | stand 239), displaying our range of shotcrete concrete machines (spritz pumps and mixers) for tunnelling and mining. We decided to present this range at a different stand from the rest of our products because of the particular nature of the underground sector. "Nature" is the source of inspiration for our underground range, and we have named the models after animals with similar physical or behavioural characteristics. "Inspired by nature" refers to more than just the names of machines, it also describes our goals and aspirations when designing this range. We aim to make these CIFA machines as eco-friendly as possible, respectful of the environment and people, and able to transform the (notoriously unhealthy) underground construction site into a sustainable ecosystem. As Davide Cipolla, CEO of CIFA, explained:

"Manufacturers of tunnelling machinery need to work together to create a sustainable construction site in what is already a very challenging environment: an enclosed space with poor ventilation. We need to design intelligent machines, harnessing data to increase efficiency, using electricity to cut emissions and technology to simplify the work of operators. CIFA Underground is a company division with a dedicated team of professionals, focused on designing automated and full-electric machines."

So the first step towards a sustainable business model is to create intelligent machines, designed to optimise the consumption of resources. This forms part of a holistic approach that examines the overall impact of every operation, and not just the performance of the individual machine. It is within this context that we decided to exhibit the latest underground machine, Mamba, at the Bauma event. A shotcrete pump designed for total automation, enabling greater productivity, and ensuring safer and easier working conditions for the operator. This is made possible by the inclusion of a laser scanning device on the machine, which allows you to take measurements of the tunnel before and after application, thus providing data about the average thickness of the layer of sprayed concrete being applied. All the data collected can be used in the future to determine where to spray concrete and how much to apply at a time, creating a complete digital model of the tunnel in line with the BIM (Building Information Modelling) method. In addition to the new Mamba, the range consists of various shotcrete models (Elk, Dingo, Rhino and Mantis) and concrete mixers (Coguaro and Myria), in varying sizes and with different features in line with their applications. All these models can also be customised to meet the needs of particular projects. CIFA Underground is not only a range, but more importantly a company division, as Marco Polastri- Sales, Aftersales & Marketing Director- explained:

"The underground market operates in a completely different way from the normal construction sector, because it involves large contracts. The demand very often comes from the contractors, and so the equipment they require must be adaptable to individual projects; the same sales cycle can involve long timescales, and the product support service needs to ensure that the machinery is always wholly reliable. Our creation of a specific business unit therefore means we have a specialist team for the development, sale and after-sales of a new generation of products, which can also draw on CIFA's forty years of experience in designing and servicing machinery for tunnels and mines."