Asset management, CCTV, From the magazine

IBAK sets another benchmark

The high-tech van is designed for practicality, efficiency and ease of use, showing an understanding for the needs of the local CCTV industry.

IBAK’s CCTV technology has an expected life of more than 10 years, so having a vehicle that can match the equipment’s longevity is essential to ensuring that clients get value from their purchase. While the Mercedes Sprinter 416LWB van comes at a premium price, its reputation as a quality, long-lasting vehicle, and the availability of parts to keep the vehicle in good working order, make it worth the expense.

The interior layout, which has been designed for efficiency.

The van boasts an impressive layout, and is designed to efficiently use the compact space.

“I have to say, when I inspected the vehicle, I was surprisingly impressed by the clever creation of storage space giving each piece of equipment a dedicated place,” says IBAK Australia Business Development Manager Andrew Clark.

In the vehicle’s office area, there is an additional monitor that shows the rear of the vehicle, making it easy for the operator to check on colleagues working near the manhole, a colour printer so reports can be printed and issued as each job is completed, air conditioning, ample storage and a bench seat. It even contains a microwave and fridge so the operators can bring their own lunch and eat on the job.

All three IBAK control systems – the BS 3.5, BS 7 and BS 5 – can be fitted to the vehicle.

The BS3 is confined to operating standard CCTV and doesn’t support HD or Panoramo technology, and while the BS 7 will support the latest technology, it doesn’t have sufficient power to run an additional portable cable winch. Both of these systems are equipped for fixed installation in an inspection vehicle.

The BS 5 is a top of the range control system that will support all IBAK technology, and is designed for permanently installed IBAK inspection systems.

The IBAK technology in this vehicle is top of the range. An optic fibre cable enables the high speed transfer of data for a high quality picture, and the monitors display in HD and the cameras are also full HD.

When using the powerful zoom feature on an Orpheus HD camera, the picture is as clear as looking through a microscope.

“I don’t think it will be long before all inspections in large pipes are performed with HD cameras like the Orpheus 2, because after seeing the quality of an HD camera, anything with less resolution would be a compromise comparable to replacing your current television with a television from 20 years ago,” says Mr Clark.

The control panel for the winch system.

The rear – or wet – area of the vehicle is fitted with an aluminium check plate to provide a light weight, tough surface that is easy to clean. The amount of equipment packed into this section of the vehicle is extensive, containing:

  • Panoramo pipe inspection system
  • LISY lateral inspection system
  • T66 tractor for 100–750 mm pipes
  • T76 tractor for 150–2000+ mm pipes
  • Panoramo SI manhole inspection system
  • Six different cameras
  • MiniLite Pan and Tilt Push Rod camera system
  • KW 505 cable winch with 500 m of fibre optic cable
  • VT160 200 m extension cable for working in backyards
  • Cable deflectors
  • Wheels, and more.

In line with IBAK’s commitment to occupational health and safety, it has included a number of smart features within the design of the vehicle. Hand sanitiser, sunscreen, soap and a hand wash station with warm water are easily accessible at the back of the vehicle to ensure operator safety and hygiene.

The on-board water tank enables the operator to hose the equipment after use. With external control available at the back of the vehicle the rear operator can safely control the lowering, entry to pipe, reverse out of pipe and retrieval without having to rely on communication to an operator in the vehicle.

The electric winch reduces strain on the operator that can be caused by lifting these camera systems, which can be quite heavy when configured for large pipes. Enhanced communication is provided by the two way speaker-microphone system between the front and back of the vehicle, and a rear camera shows the operator the back of the vehicle.

There is also an additional screen in the back of the vehicle, which shows the camera view for the rear operator. IBAK’s design of the van accounts for workflow; for example, one of the storage drawers under the winch also doubles as a bench top to change the camera head and wheels, which is a much more comfortable option than doing it on the floor the way many operators currently do it.

A second monitor in the office space displays video from the rear of the vehicle.

In fact, the operator can store the tractor fully assembled with the cable attached in a drawer. This allows the operator to slide the drawer open, attach the tractor to the winch, lift it out of the drawer with the winch, lower it onto the work bench and reconfigure the tractor for the correct pipe size.

After this, the operator can raise the winch a little, slide the telescopic winch further back and lower it into the manhole. The modularity of the IBAK technology makes it easy to expand the capabilities of the van as required, making it an appealing choice for CCTV operators.

This article was featured in the December edition of Trenchless Australasia. To view the magazine on your PC, Mac, tablet, or mobile device, click here.

For more information visit the IBAK Australia website.

If you have a project you would like featured in Trenchless Australasia contact Journalist Chloe Jenkins at cjenkins@gs-press.com.au

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