Insider Brief
- Xpanner launched the X1 Piling R6, an automated pile-driving system for utility-scale solar and battery storage projects that can handle travel, positioning, alignment and hammering with a single command.
- The company said the system can reduce pile-driving work that typically requires a two-person crew and separate surveying and marking tasks to one operator supervising remotely.
- The X1 is commercially available through a subscription that includes the machine, automation system, Xpanner Connect software and on-site support, with project data tracked through a live dashboard.
Xpanner has launched an automated pile-driving system for utility-scale solar and battery energy storage projects that the company says can handle travel, positioning, alignment and hammering with a single command.
According to the construction automation startup, its X1 Piling R6 combines Xpanner’s automation software and control system with an Everstar R6 crawler base machine. An operator uploads a pile plan, positions the machine at a row and starts the automated cycle, after which the system moves between pile locations, aligns the hammer, drives each pile and maintains plumb while the operator supervises remotely.
Xpanner said the system is designed to reduce a process that typically requires a two-person pile-driving crew, along with separate surveying and marking work, to a single operator.
The machine uses high-precision satellite positioning, sensors and an Xpanner-developed controller to locate and drive piles to specified positions and elevations. The operator does not need to stand next to the mast during operation.
The X1 uses automation developed for Xpanner’s earlier PD10 platform, which the company said has been deployed at more than 67 U.S. job sites with more than 10 engineering, procurement and construction contractors. Xpanner said the R6 configuration delivers a 45% faster cycle time than the previous generation.
Equipment and Automation
Pile handling — The system can handle piles up to 23 feet long and drive them as deep as 15.7 feet. Xpanner said it can work with standard solar tracker piles, shorter motor piles and battery-storage foundation piles without requiring a separate adapter.
Field operation — The machine can make smaller positioning adjustments without moving the entire crawler, while its mast can remain assembled during transport. Manual override and emergency-stop controls are also included.
Future capabilities — Xpanner said the same machine is designed to eventually support drilling and ground-screw installation in addition to pile driving.
Digital Project Tracking
The X1 connects with Xpanner Connect, the company’s web-based project management system.
Project teams can upload pile schedules and coordinates, assign machines and set up individual sites. As the machine works, the system records each pile’s position, depth and alignment and displays the information on a live project map. Managers can also monitor machine status, cycle counts and alerts remotely.
The system became commercially available Oct. 26 through a subscription that includes the machine, automation system, Xpanner Connect software and on-site support covering site validation, training, operation and maintenance.
