Automated braiding in the field

MAX's Twintier devices are considered the reference in that field and offer great opportunities for steel braiding companies in the field. Both in terms of efficiency and ergonomics. "The average business case is made in just three to four months," says Paul Zieltjens, regional sales manager for Scandinavia and Benelux.

MAX is a pioneer in braiding equipment, having introduced the world's first battery-powered concrete braiding tool back in 1995. The multinational company of Japanese origin operates worldwide and today has a full line of braiding machines that can be used to bind steel up to a thickness of 29 x 32 mm. "Our Twintier tools are loved by end users all over the world," says sales manager Roy Sieberichs. "They regularly share their experiences on social media. That says something about the power of our machines, which can also add value for Dutch steel braiders."

Better ergonomics

The advantages the Twintier can offer, especially for steel braiding in the field, are somewhat underestimated in the Netherlands, Sieberichs notes. "The Twintier is lightweight and very handy. The device delivers the same quality as manual braiding and binds just as tightly. Indeed, the quality of the knot delivered by the Twintier at 6 a.m. in the morning is identical to that delivered at 8 p.m. in the evening. Fatigue symptoms obviously do not occur. Moreover, ergonomics improves significantly. Braiders not infrequently suffer from physical complaints as a result of having to perform the same movements over and over again. In that area, too, the Twintier provides much-needed relief."

With more than 200 people in R&D, MAX is continuously developing its products to ensure the highest quality. The experiences of end users are also heard very emphatically during the development process, because it is important to MAX that the product reflects what the market wants in a product. The equipment and wire spools MAX has patented worldwide.

Substantial savings

The fact that braiding with the Twintier would be more expensive than hand braiding, both men manage to parry. "You have to compare apples with apples instead of just considering the kilogram price of the wire," says Zieltjens. "Via the calculator on our website, after entering a few parameters, each company can very easily calculate whether and what savings can be realized with the Twintier. What we see is that an average company needs only 3 to 4 months to recoup the investment. After that, it is pure profit. Of course it depends on the production run, but significant savings can also be realized in the Netherlands." Peter van Hemert of Beton-steel & Wickerwork Gebr. Van Hemert can agree. "We have been using the MAX RB441T for two years and are very satisfied with it. It makes the work easier, faster and our employees don't want to be without it anymore." 

4,000 bindings on one battery charge

Braiding with the Twintier is up to three times faster than manual braiding, according to Sieberichs. "Also, the braider always has one hand free. The device cannot read drawings, so the braider's knowledge and experience is still important, especially with special knots. On the other hand, the device is very user-friendly. In fact, anyone can pick up the Twintier and make high-quality knots." MAX supplies the Twintier in a trio of variants: two handheld devices and a standing version. "The latter is ideally suited for complex projects, such as braiding on bridges and roads or large floors in buildings," Zieltjens knows. "A unique feature of our devices is that the wire does not hang down. A full circle is made. Especially in tunnel construction projects, this is a big advantage, because it prevents rust spots that can become visible after plastering. By the way, making a bond is extremely fast and takes only 0.7 seconds. On one battery charge, 4,000 bonds can then be made. Within an hour the lithium-ion battery is fully charged again and in 35 minutes for 80%."

MAX is noticing increasing interest in the Twintier. "We are getting more and more requests for demonstrations," Sieberichs says. "Interested parties can test the device for up to a week. Distribution, service and after-sales in the Benelux is through our distributor Co-Fastening from Almere. The company has been doing this to our complete satisfaction for 28 years and we maintain close ties. Every week we go into the field and give demos together to convince interested parties of the added value of the Twintier. This is how we try to improve efficiency and ergonomics in the industry."