Atlas Copco at Intermat 2003Visitors to this year's Intermat exhibition which will be held in Paris 13th to 17th May will be greeted by an array of equipment from the Swedish manufacturer Atlas Copco, specially designed to meet the demand for highly productive and efficient construction. Among the highlights will be the Swellex Manganese Line rock bolts and MAI Self-Drilling Anchors, both state-of-the-art ground and rock support systems for fast and safe rock reinforcement. Over the last 20 years, Swellex rock bolts have been increasingly successful throughout the world. Now even further progress has been made with the introduction of the Swellex Manganese Line. This new type, combined with an improved manufacturing process, results in increased tensile strength and elongation capacity (80%), which provides even greater safety and reliability for the user. When Atlas Copco acquired MAI Ankertechnik GmbH of Austria last year, it added yet another major string to its bow in the field of rock reinforcement. MAI was a welcome addition as its bolt systems are well suited to the Atlas Copco drill rigs, supporting the Atlas Copco strategy to produce both the bolt systems and the rigs that use them. MAI is a leading producer of self-drilling anchor systems, used to stabilize weak rock and soil in tunnelling, mining and other ground engineering applications. In Paris, visitors to the Atlas Copco display will be able to see these special products first hand in the shape of Self Drilling Anchors of different dimensions as well as pumps for installation.Another "first" which can be expected to generate great interest at Intermat is Atlas Copco's Rocket Boomer XL3 C tunnelling rig, widely regarded as the most powerful and "intelligent" underground tunnelling rig of its kind. This 3-boom series, fully computerised unit, featuring the ABC Total system, manages all aspects of the rigs' automated operations. The XL 3 C is also equipped with a state-of-the-art cabin offering an outstanding working environment for the operator. The series includes the L3 C for tunnelling work up to 106 m2 and the Rocket Boomer WL 3, for tunnels with cross sections of up to 155 m2. And thanks to its wide-reaching boom console, the WL3 C can tackle tunnel widths up to 17.8 m. The version on show in Paris will be equipped with an "eagle" console for increased upward reach, suitable for tunnelling applications of up to 169 m2 and roof heights of 12.8 m.There will also be a display of raiseboring technology with case stories and information on the latest addition to the Atlas Copco range, the Robbins 73 RM-VF. This powerful unit brings added capabilities to raiseboring in the 1.8-3.1 m (6-10 ft) diameter range and increased safety and efficiency. Visitors will also be able to see the latest in raiseboring and reamer development presented by Atlas Copco Secoroc including the new version of the RCC Duro Cutter which delivers outstanding performance, reliability and service life. Read more about the upcoming Intermat show on the Internet atwww.atlascopco.com/intermat, www.intermat.fr and www.atlascopco.fr 17/03.