Robotic Cutting And Reaming

There are many types of obstructions in the sewers that we encounter on a daily basis, including foreign objects, exposed gaskets, protruding laterals, calcite deposits, residue grout/cement products, and roots. These are above and beyond dirt and debris that are always present in the sewer. Removing these obstructions is core part of the work we do. Clients retain us directly to remove these problems for them or we do it as a necessary first step in most of our pipe rehabilitation work.

The term "reaming" is generally misused used and incorrectly applied to all types of obstruction removal techniques. More specifically there are three types of "reaming".

• Robotic cutting using a robot controlled cutting mechanism and
• Video assisted air or water powered flail reaming
• Video or non video assisted water rotating jetters

Robotic Cutting

We use the RG90 Robotic cutter - it is our war horse and does the bulk of the cutting and grinding work that we do. The RG90 allows us to cut or grid off any type of hard deposit, foreign object or protruding lateral we encounter in a sewer line 8 inches in size or greater. It takes a steady hand and a skilled operator to make sure that the host pipe is not damaged during this work. We have other smaller robotic cutters for work in small diameter lateral service lines.

Pictures above shows RG90 on an extended arm removing a root mass (left is before, right is after)

Video Assisted Flail Reaming

We use a variety of custom designed flailing or rotating attachments to remove deposits from the walls of the pipes. These are typically used to remove deposits that are fixed to the wall of the pipe, like calcite. Each reaming job is unique and to be productive and non destructive to the host pipe requires an operator that is both experienced and skilled at using and rigging these attachments. There is no school to go to learn how to use these devices - the only teacher is experience. The use of these devices by unskilled operators is a recipe for disaster. We have a few operators that have been doing this work for over 20 years and we rely on them heavily to provide this service to our clients. It is just one of many services that we provide that is more dependent on the operator than the equipment being used.

Pictures above show a variety of custom made flail or rotating attachments

Rotating Jetters

Rotating jetters use high pressure water that is directed at the problem area through rotating nozzles. This type of jetter is commonly used to remove semi-hardened debris and grease deposits.