A record 530,000 visitors from over 200 countries converged on the Messe Mnnchen exhibition centre between April 15 and 21. This, the 30th edition of bauma, broke all previous records for exhibitor numbers and exhibition space.

The mega event for construction machinery, building material machines, mining machines, construction vehicles and construction equipment, concluded with a positive note. This year's show is even bigger than the last event in 2010; bauma 2013 took up a total of 570,000 sq m of exhibition space, spread between 16 halls, accounting for 180,000 sq m, and the outdoor exhibition area offering 390,000 sq m. Over 3,400 exhibitors from 57 countries showcased their innovations here.

"This is very good for our industry in these turbulent times and it will certainly give it a boost," said Johann Sailer, Chairman of the Construction Equipment and Building Material Machinery Association of VDMA and President of the Committee for the European Construction Equipment Industry (CECE).

Klaus Dittrich, Chairman & CEO, Messe Mnnchen said, "Our exhibitors were delighted with the quality of the visitors here and with the international spread represented among them. Good business has been done here. With over 200,000 visitors from outside Germany, the number of international attendees was higher than ever before. The response this year has simply been outstanding." The top ten countries of origin among the visitors were: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, the Russian Federation, France, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Sweden and Poland. Indonesia, bauma's partner country this year, was also strongly represented, with a high-ranking political delegation and around 800 visitors.

Order activity high
In total, 3,420 exhibitors, 1,346 from Germany and 2,074 from abroad, from 57 countries presented their latest products and innovations in construction and mining machinery at bauma 2013 on a record exhibition space of 570,000 sq m. And they did so with amazing success, as Stefan Heissler, Member of the Liebherr-International AG Board of Directors, confirmed, "This has been an absolutely positive trade show for us. We welcomed customers from all around the world at our booths and we signed up lots of new orders. In some product sections we exceeded our expectations by a long way." Michael Heidemann, Chairman of the Management Board of Zeppelin Baumaschinen GmbH, too, is more than happy, "From the first day on, the booth of Zeppelin and Caterpillar was almost overrun with visitors. We have sold more machines at bauma 2013 than ever before and have set a new record." The bauma was just as successful for XCMG, as its Vice President, Yanmei Zhang, reported, "XCMG solicited orders with a total value of over ?10 million for its products which is around 120 units of machines. We had a good economic return on our investment in the show."

Innovations at Bauma
Improvements in cost-efficiency, noise control, environmental design and ergonomics - the construction industry is facing demands on many fronts. Responding to these challenges, the international manufacturers of construction machinery presented their innovations in all these fields at bauma 2013. Atlas Copco introduced what the company is describing as the lightest vibration-reduced pick hammer on the market, weighing in at just 9.5 kg. The hammer mechanism in this tool floats in the housing, thereby significantly reducing the vibrations transmitted to the operator's hands and arms. The model also has an efficient noise-reduction system.

Kaiser AG's new walking mobile excavator focuses on the human interface. This type of machine is designed for use in inaccessible terrain, a situation in which the driver often spends more time in the cab than at other construction sites. ABI presented a new adjustable vibrator for its telescopic leaders. This vibrator is fitted with a combi clamp assembly for double-Z and U-profiles and tubular piles. Because of the precise clamping with two individual clamps, the piles are protected and the noise from the flapping of the profiles is reduced.

The wheel loader manufacturer Kramer Allrad and the sales and service company Zeppelin introduced satellite-supported location systems that deliver real-time data on the construction machines. As well as location, the data can also include operating times, engine condition and service dates, all of which can be called up online. The data are then available to the customer on his computer or smartphone.

Transport solutions
Major players showcased transport solutions for large-scale construction sites and mining operations at bauma 2013. Bergmann Maschinenbau showcased chain dumpers: the new 4010 model has a payload of 10 tonne, a 6.3 sq m capacity tray and a ground pressure of only 0.45 kg/sq cm. It therefore reliably meets the requirements for use in wet, marshy areas, in pipeline construction, in the mining industry as well as in the moorlands.

Daimler presented the new force in mining solid rock and quarrying operations: the Mercedes-Benz Arocs. The new tippers, all-wheel drive tippers, concrete mixers, tractor units and rigid chassis are available as two, three and four-axle vehicles with 16 power output levels ranging from 175 kW (238 hp) to 460 kW (625 hp). Mining companies have for years been looking for a way to protect the expensive tyres on their dumper trucks against damage to the side walls. This problem has now been solved by Erlau with its Sideflex protection system. This assembly shields the entire sidewall of the truck tyre, deflecting rock fragments harmlessly away so that they cannot damage or perhaps even penetrate the tyre, make the wheel unusable or even disable the vehicle.

GHH Fahrzeuge GmbH at the event focussed on the particularly low-profile load, haul and dump (LHD) vehicle, the SLP-14 with a load capacity of 14 tonne. GHH?s Efficient Drive System (EDS) combines a hydrostatic drive train with mechanical power transmission to axles and wheels to meet the demands of mining. MAN exhibited at bauma its heavy-duty TGS WW dump truck for a gross weight of 50 tonne. Front and rear dumper trucks on three- or four-axle chassis are used. The conditions are exacting: hard multi-shift operation at maximum daily production, the heaviest loading, toughest terrain and high dust levels.

Scania presented a comprehensive spectrum of attractive solutions for global mining companies. Mining in particular requires a customised approach, and Scania is developing optimised solutions in cooperation with the mining operators. These include special vehicles for mining and tunnelling, and also buses for moving teams, engines for powering the heavy machines and generators and mobile workshops in container modules for on-site maintenance and repairs.

Mining technology
Almost 700 companies involved in mining showcased a number of products and techniques for deep drilling, tunnel driving and mining in general at the bauma 2013.

Together with Rio Tinto, one of the world's biggest mining companies, Aker Wirth has developed the Mobile Tunnel Miner (MTM). The concept behind this machinery combines the flexibility of a roadheader with the robust qualities of a tunnel-boring machine. The self-propelled MTM moves via a crawler and a walking mechanism. Prakla Bohrtechnik GmbH, a BAUER Group company, is supplying six universal drilling rigs of type RBT90 to the Chinese coal extraction company China National Coal Development Co. The rigs will be used as necessary to sink emergency shafts in order to rescue trapped miners quickly and safely. A key feature of these drilling rigs is their mobility; built on a truck trailer, they can be moved quickly to any location where they may be needed.

CDE Global of Northern Ireland at bauma focussed on the theme of ore processing, and on their M2500 series for washing iron ore, quartz and frac sands. CDE Mining also showcased equipment for spoil management, for example, their AquaCycle thickener and GHT filter press.

ESCO of Portland, USA, presented the Hydra cutting drum for underground cutting operations in coal mining with methane gas and coal-dust control systems. A water spraying system suppresses coal dust and helps prevent sparks.

Haver Niagara GmbH is a specialist in machinery and systems for handling primary and secondary raw materials in the mining, building materials and recycling sectors, with the emphasis on sifting, washing and pelletising. The company's highlights at bauma 2013 were the new F-class sifting machine, the Hydro-Clean 2000 high-pressure cleaning system and the Snap-Guard wear protection system. IBS Industriemaschinen-Bergbau-Service GmbH presented a brand new cleaning system with primary and secondary cleaners. The new system delivers advantages in terms of low surface pressure, low wear and tear of the cleaner and belt, and significantly improved cleaning power with almost maintenance-free operation. The Vermeer Corporation of Iowa, USA, presented a surface miner for digging through harder rocks. The T1255 terrain leveller was developed specially for cutting hard rock of different strengths, mineral compounds and for gypsum, coal and ores. The Wirtgen surface miner is designed for use in opencast mining. It enables selective mining of mineral ores, coal, limestone, gypsum, bauxite, phosphate and iron ore in high purity. It is also used for application in the mining of salt, granite, kimberlite or oil shales.

Construction machinery
Energy-efficiency and fuel-saving were two of the main trends that were in the spotlight at bauma 2013. Leading players presented new solutions to these challenges at this event. The British construction machinery manufacturer JCB presented its Ecomax engines for the first time at bauma 2013. These engines meet the rigorous emissions standards Stage IIB and Tier 4 Interim, without the need for diesel particle filters or emissions after-treatment.

Caterpillar unveiled its new Cat hybrid excavator 336E H to the trade audience for the first time in Munich. Instead of losing the kinetic energy when braking the upper structure, it is captured in accumulators and re-used during swing acceleration. The reward for the efforts of the developers, says the company, is a reduction in fuel consumption of approximately 25 per cent. The Cat wheel loader 966K XE, also on show, has been fitted with a new, stepless powertrain system designed to minimise fuel consumption.

The German manufacturer Liebherr presented a hybrid solution for heavy duty applications at bauma ? the HS 8300 HD duty cycle crawler crane. Weighing in at over 350 tonne, this world's first is fitted with a powerful and also environmentally friendly hybrid drive on a hydraulic basis.

Doosan Construction Equipment has brought out two new heavy-duty excavators in the 50-tonne class, both of which meet the Stage IIIB emissions standard: the DX490LC-3 model, with an operating weight of 49 tonne, and the DX530LC-3, with 52 tonne. The secret to the lower overall fuel consumption, says Doosan, lies in improved cooling, a display to inform the driver about fuel consumption and optimised main control valves, which reduce energy losses and deliver higher efficiency.

Hamm AG of Germany, part of the Wirtgen Group, showcased its new range of articulated tandem rollers. The new models ? HD+ 70i and HD+ 80i ? are fitted with engine technology that already meets the EU IV / Tier 4f standards, which will come into force in 2014.

bauma Innovation Award 2013
.bauma is the top international forum for showcasing groundbreaking developments in machinery and equipment for construction, building materials and mining. This was highlighted once more at the presentation of the bauma Innovation Award 2013 in Munich.
.Out of a total of 156 entries, 15 groundbreaking new developments and solutions made it through to the final round. The winning innovations in the five categories are as follows.
.Pipe Express from Herrenknecht in the Machinery category: Pipe Express is an innovation that will revolutionise the laying of pipes and cables in the ground. Until now the job of laying pipes has involved leaving scars in the landscape of up to 50 m wide. The new process minimises the intervention to a width of 9 m and it even works well in ground with water-bearing strata.
.AutoPilot Field Rover from Wirtgen in the Machine Components category: With its AutoPilot Field Rover, Wirtgen has succeeded in developing a component that, in comparison to the systems used so far, accelerates the processes in road construction, saves costs and delivers higher quality. The Wirtgen AutoPilot Field Rover can be operated by any machine operator, not just personnel trained in surveying. This saves time and costs.
.Construction process/Construction work category: Two winners were announced in this category, because the jury considered both entries were of equal merit. Bauer Spezialtiefbau GmbH received its award for its project for a monopile foundation for a tidal engine turbine. This new process makes it possible to securely drill monopiles for tidal turbines into the seabed, even into the hardest rock, in situations where jack-up platforms and drill ships cannot be used because of the depth of the water or strong currents. The second award-winner in this category is Max B?gl Bauunternehmung for its project for hybrid-energy wind towers constructed with revolving tower cranes, which also makes a significant contribution to the further expansion in the use of renewable energy and to protecting the environment.
.Online Grain Size Analyzer from the Technical University of Clausthal in the Research category: The Online Grain Size Analyzer is capable of analysing the grain size distribution in all bulk flows, in real time, whatever the grain size and the type of mixing. It even enables a full system analysis, that saves time and costs. It also identifies immediately any weaknesses in the manufacturing process, so that they can be corrected rapidly.
.Walking Mobile Excavator 2013 from Kaiser AG Fahrzeugwerk in the Design category: Kaiser AG's new Walking Mobile Excavator 2013, developed in cooperation with the firm Design Department of Linz, is a successful blend of optimum function and optimum design.
.According to the speakers at the presentation ceremony, these six winning innovations fulfil to an impressive degree the criteria upon which the high-calibre jury made their selections, namely: holding great promise for the future; practicality of application; contribution to environmental protection and to humanisation of the workplace; and energy- and cost-efficiency coupled with performance.