Groundbreaking benefits of Volvo Tooth System 2 revealed in 3D scanning trial
A 3D scanning trial in a live quarry environment, conducted in collaboration between dealer SMT Great Britain and global building materials company Holcim, has proven that the system provides significant operational savings, extended component life and substantial environmental benefits.
Via millimeter-accurate scans taken at weekly intervals, tooth wear, material loss, and even subtle operator technique variation were measured using advanced 3D laser scanning technology from Printing Portal.
Significant cost and environmental savings
The rigorous trial into the performance of the VTS 2 system on a Volvo EC480 excavator was carried out at Holcim’s Hillhead Quarry in the UK over several months. It revealed clear advantages, including:
• smoother material penetration leading to improved fuel efficiency, which translates to £9,500 fuel savings per machine, per year
• a decrease in fuel consumption of 4% a week, contributing to a 15% reduction in CO2 emissions
• a lifespan of 700 to 750 hours – significantly exceeding the competitor’s 450–500-hour estimate – resulting in a potential cost-per-hour saving of 10.5% when combined with improved fuel efficiency
• improved ease of maintenance, thanks to its hammerless locking system, allowing technicians to swap teeth in just 30 minutes, compared to the one-hour two-person process required by older systems.
Left to right: Anthony Allday (Quarry Manager), Sam Duggan (SMT Site Solutions Business Manager), and James Smith (SMT Aftermarket Business Analyst)
Anthony Allday, Hillhead Quarry Manager for Holcim, said: “We were so impressed by the VTS 2 teeth that we took the opportunity to convert our own bucket to these teeth before we had even completed the tests. Once we saw how quickly and safely, we could swap out teeth, combined with the data showing longer life and lower fuel use, it became the obvious choice.”
Collaboration and innovation combine in real-world test
The first generation tooth system by Volvo CE was designed to increase breakout force, machine uptime, and efficiency. VTS 2 builds on this heritage with a more robust self-sharpening design and a hammerless locking mechanism that enhances safety by eliminating traditional pin-and-hammer installations.
To validate these benefits, SMT Great Britain compared the performance of the new version against a leading competitor’s product under identical conditions. Each tooth system ran for over 240 operational hours.
James Smith, SMT Aftermarket Business Analyst, said: “This trial was about redefining how we assess the real-world performance of essential machine components. But by leveraging high-precision 3D scanning, we gathered indisputable data showing the tangible financial, operational, and environmental benefits of VTS 2.”
Future prospects for 3D scanning in construction
Beyond validating VTS 2’s capabilities, this study paves the way for broader applications of 3D scanning in consultancy services within the construction and quarrying sectors. Such monitoring insights are a powerful way for customers to boost maintenance and component life.
With proven operational savings, increased safety, and a reduced carbon footprint, the VTS 2 not only establishes a new benchmark in ground engaging tools but also underscores the transformative potential of technological collaboration within the industry.