CIFA brings concrete machines into the new 4.0 era

CIFA showed at GIC-Giornate Italiane del Calcestruzzo the new K36L-5 truck pump, “wireless” management of the truck mixer and the new range of batching plants, all of which are “4.0-Ready”.

CIFA took part at GIC - Giornate Italiane del Calcestruzzo [Italian Concrete Days] 2022 continuing along its path towards innovation, an aspect that has consistently distinguished the company’s history, based on research, tenacity and passion, making it an international benchmark, with a series of technological breakthroughs to improve work on site.

“CIFA has always been a pioneer in the introduction of cutting-edge technologies, from safety systems to automations that simplify the work”, comments Marco Polastri, Sales, Aftersales and Marketing Director of CIFA. “At GIC 2022 we introduced some of the latest features: from the new range of plants to the truck pump with a 36-metre boom and 5 sections, which is truly unique for its 30-40 metre segment. The electronic solutions available on our machines are the culmination of research and comparison with the needs of end users. An example of this is the CSD Advanced system that literally allows you to have the truck mixer at hand, thanks to the remote control to manage every function. Again we are the first and only manufacturer to have introduced this solution to the market. The Italian market is on the upswing, thanks also to tax incentives for Industry 4.0, which are encouraging the purchase of new machinery. To this end, our pumps, mixers, underground and plant ranges are all “4.0 Ready”, i.e. already prepared for certification by the relevant authorities, thanks to CIFA Vista: our remote tracking and performance analysis (and more) system.”

Innovations, attention to quality and a focus on safety are aspects that have rewarded CIFA also during the last two years marred by the pandemic, CEO Davide Cipolla comments on the results: “2021 was a record year for CIFA; indeed, the physiological loss in 2020 caused by the pandemic was fully recovered in 2021, recording a further increase (+36.5%). This growth will also continue in 2022: we expect it to be 20% higher than in 2021. The investment plan started in 2021 - to expand production and increase the level of quality and efficiency - continues this year with the introduction of strategic projects aimed at obtaining environmental, social, sustainability and energy management certifications; aspects that have also become vital following the social-environmental and economic changes that have characterised the last few years and that have become even more evident with the Covid emergency.”

At GIC 2022 visitors touched the Steeltech K36L-5 pump (launched in 2021), equipped with an extremely smart boom: it can be used to pump in any situation, even in the most difficult places. This is possible thanks to the five sections and especially the new continuous rotation joint on the last section. The huge difference in using a rotor is in its ease of use and time saving features: it is easier to unfold and set up even in indoor sites, because the joint means the boom can be positioned and rotated in either direction. This feature set the tone for the booth's theme of "360% Italian", playing on the 360 degrees of rotation with the importance of being Italian producers. The K36L-5 can be equipped with the Smartronic Advanced electronic management system, which means that the machine’s full potential can be achieved without neglecting operational safety. This is due to these new features: ASC (Advanced Stability Control) is the best stability system on the market: it maximises the working area based on the actual opening of the outriggers; when there is a risk of stability being compromised, it springs into action: first slowing down the boom’s movement or even stopping it before it reaches a critical condition; MBE (Max Boom Extension) is a predictive system that gives the operator the maximum distance that can be reached with the boom in case of partial opening of the outriggers. When the operator arrives at the construction site, even before unfolding the boom he can see on the machine’s display the maximum reach in a safe way and with no waste of the time.

CSD Advanced is the most advanced mixer management system available today. CSD stands for “Constant Speed Drive” and refers to the electronic regulation of the drum speed independently of the truck engine speed. The word “Advanced” indicates its evolution; indeed you are able to manage the mixer via a remote control equipped with a display that informs you on vital operational information such as the number of rotations of the drum, the working hours of the mixing pressure and diagnostic messages for intervention and time reduction. The same remote control is used to operate the drum from the cab while driving. The resulting benefits are a lot, including increased operator comfort, machine efficiency, productivity and ease of use. The system complies with the new EN-12609. Once again CIFA is setting new standards in a mixer market that has not seen such a major breakthrough for many years. On the two stands covered by Effretti, one of the Italian dealer, visitors saw the RY1300 truck mixer equipped with the Advanced system, as well as the Carbotech MK25H mixer-pump and the Steeltech K42L pump.

The FiveTech range of batching plants is expanding to offer products with an increasingly higher value and capable of providing solutions for the most complex of needs. CIFA has over 90 years of experience in the construction of concrete machinery and plants. With its FiveTech models – exclusively dedicated to the production of ready-mix concrete – it brings to the market all the know-how of a manufacturer familiar with the entire supply chain and the specific needs of the sector. With the overhaul of the range, CIFA has rearranged models into four series, whose names deriving from precious stones: “Diamond”, “Sapphire” and “Zircon” plus “Dry” are meant to symbolise the high value of these solutions for clients. A mixer representing the range was on display at the exhibition. All machines and plants can be configured with the CIFA Vista remote monitoring and management software.