We have developed a new, more powerful generation of FUTTEC “microwave patchers”: a pothole on the road can be repaired in about 20 minutes

FUTTEC, which has a Czech and European patent for a microwave system for fast, non-invasive and durable pothole repairs on asphalt roads, has already established itself on Czech roads with its technology. And it is also entering the rest of the world: it recently introduced it in Austria, Germany and the USA. In the meantime, the FUTTEC development team is intensively engaged in the further development of the unique design of its machines: therefore, a new generation of FT-3 series “microwave patchers” is currently rolling out on Czech roads: they have 60% higher power than their predecessors and can repair a pothole of 80×80 cm in approximately 20 to 25 minutes. In addition, the machines are equipped with an improved heating control system, which optimizes the heating of the pothole surface. At the same time, the developers have fine-tuned the technical parameters of one of the separately usable components of the “microwave patcher” – the microwave furnace. They are now working on developing an overall ecosystem of asphalt road repairs using the microwave method, which would include early detection of potholes, and on greater use of artificial intelligence and Big Data.

„Since the start of development of the first generation of our “microwave roadmen” – the FT-3 prototype – we have come a long way and gained a lot of knowledge and experience from working in the field. Repairs of many thousands of potholes and cooperation with a number of state organizations (from TSK and ŘSD to municipalities) have allowed us to adapt our machines even more to the needs of their users. The result is the third generation of the FT-3 series “microwave patcher” and microwave oven. This is an integral part of it, but it can also be used separately for temporary all-year-round repairs of roads, especially class II and III roads, car parks or storage areas,” comments Jiří Rušikvas, founder and owner of FUTTEC, adding: „In the development of the new generation of FUTTEC machines, we have now focused on details that contribute to further increasing their performance, improving heating parameters or simplifying maintenance and handling. Our intention is for the new generation of ‘microwave road operators’ to fully meet the requirements we have for them in the field, so that we can start their serial production.”

The third generation of the microwave furnace has also been developed, which can be used as part of a “microwave patcher” or as a standalone machine. If this device is used separately, it is used for temporary sealing of potholes of larger dimensions (i.e. more than 80×80 cm) by means of gently and evenly heated bagged asphalt mixture. The use of a microwave furnace is quick and economical, but it does not allow the repair site to be heated (only the supplied asphalt mixture is heated). Therefore, this solution is less durable than pothole sealing using FT-3 series “microwave patchers”. „The new generation of the microwave furnace has accelerated the heating of 25 kg of bagged asphalt mixture by about 20% (i.e. from 10 to 8 minutes). However, significant modifications were made mainly to its design and the working space in which the furnace is stored. This made it easier to work with the bag of asphalt mixture, handling and operation,” concludes Dobroslav Rak.

Related machines

FT-3 Microwave Patcher, FF-9 Microwave Furnace