Astec Industries has introduced the "Reclaim-Logic" intelligent stabilization system for its RX-700 cold recycler/reclaimers. In Full-Depth Reclamation (FDR) of deteriorated highways, the machine pulverizes the old asphalt and base material, mixing it with a liquid asphalt emulsion or cement slurry. Traditionally, the pump speed is mechanically linked to the machine's ground speed. If the rotor encounters a hard sub-base, the machine slows down, but the liquid pump over-supplies binder, creating "fat spots" (soft spots) in the road.
The Reclaim-Logic system integrates a "Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR)" array on the front rotor hood. This radar measures the depth of the reclaimed material in real-time. The engineering core is the "PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) Spray Bar." The binder pump is driven by an electric servo motor. When the GPR detects a change in material density or if the rotor torque increases (indicating the machine is slowing), the system instantly decouples the pump speed from the ground speed.
Instead of slowing the pump mechanically, the servo motor adjusts the pump RPM to match the *actual volume* of material being processed, not the wheel speed. Furthermore, the system features "Cross-Flow Balancing." If the rear left wheel of the recycler hits a soft spot and sinks by 2 cm, the system automatically increases the binder flow to the left side of the spray bar by 5% to compensate for the deeper cut. This closed-loop mixing control eliminates fat spots, reduces binder waste by 12%, and ensures uniform structural capacity across the stabilized base.
