HC CompactLine series and HC series honoured with awards in the "Industrial" category
Since as far back as the late 1980s, Hamm has been involving product designers in the development process. The result: Rollers that are not only user-friendly, safe and ergonomically sophisticated, but also aesthetically impressive. This winning combination has been celebrated with over 40 internationally recognised design and innovation awards since 1996. Yet another prestigious award has now been added to this impressive haul in the shape of the Good Design Award 2022 in the "Industrial" category for the heavy compactors and small compactors in the HC series.
"We have been harmonising ergonomics, functionality and aesthetics for over 30 years; for us, in addition to pure performance, the health of the operator and ease of handling are right at the top of the agenda," says Dr. Axel Römer, Head of Research and Development at Hamm. This philosophy was also decisive for the development of the now award-winning compactors from the HC series (85 kW/11 t – 160 kW/25 t) and HC CompactLine series (55.4 kW/5 t – 7 t).
Prestigious award
The Good Design Award has been awarded by the Chicago Athenaeum for 75 years and is one of the world's most important awards for ground-breaking design. In awarding this prize, the jury evaluates the product in terms of the level of innovation of the design, new technologies, form, materials, construction, concept, function, utility and energy efficiency as well as sensitivity to the environment.
Safe, efficient and equipped for the digital construction site: The agile Hamm compactors in the HC series, with operating weights between 11 t and 25 t, were awarded the renowned Good Design Award 2022.
The first thing to catch your eye is the new shape of the engine hood. This gives the compactor exterior real muscle, and its geometry provides excellent visibility to the rear. In addition to this new look, the operator comfort offered by the series was also an important consideration for the jury in awarding this honour. Their verdict on the operator's platform says it all: "The ambience of the new cab gives the driver a completely new feeling of space" and "sets new standards for visibility and workstation design." Furthermore, the Easy Drive operating concept with its clearly arranged and language-neutral operating elements ensures that the compactors can be operated easily and intuitively. The heating and air-conditioning system, storage compartments, ventilation and lighting provide ultimate comfort, while vibrations and noise levels are dramatically reduced thanks to the machine's design and the materials used.
The new design supports the overall performance of the HC series, thanks in part to the newly designed front vehicle which, according to the specialist jury, has "a significantly greater clearance between the drum and crossbeam, where material cannot accumulate." This means that stopping to clean the drums is now a thing of the past. This increases productivity and performance, as do the new, sustainable concepts in engine and vibration management.
"The spacious cab sets new standards in terms of visibility and workplace design."
Statement from the jury on presentation of the Good Design Award 2022
The new compactors from Hamm are equipped for the digitalisation of the construction industry. The jury adds: "The HC series compactors are 'digital ready' and so meet future construction site quality and communication requirements." Using the app Smart Doc from Hamm, even less-experienced drivers can immediately determine which areas have been sufficiently compacted, and which areas still require compaction.
When it comes to the small compactors in the HC CompactLine series, the members of the jury were particularly impressed to find that they are "extremely easy to operate thanks to the standard intuitive operation, embedded in an ergonomically optimised workstation." The jury highlighted the fact that the compactors, thanks to their compact form, short wheelbase and a remarkable gradeability, are perfectly suited for compaction in narrow construction sites and in trenches. Particularly noteworthy is the 7 t HC 70i which, at 4.40 m in length, is the world's shortest compactor in this weight class. Combined with the 3-point articulation and the extremely short wheelbase, this results in excellent driving and handling characteristics.
Good Design Award 2022 for the HC CompactLine series from Hamm: The fully glazed cab and the shape of the engine hood facilitate first-class visibility. The HC 70i is also the world's shortest model in this segment.
The two compactor series also offer a sustainable machine concept that impressed the jury. The machine design and the components in the power train have been chosen so that most tasks can be carried out in ECO mode; this saves fuel without curtailing the compaction power. In addition, the automatic engine stop reduces diesel consumption and takes into account the requirements of exhaust gas cleaning with diesel particulate filters (DPF).
In the late 1980s, Hamm began collaborating with professional industrial designers; the current look of the Hamm asphalt rollers dates back to this period. New materials that allow greater flexibility in designing the shape of the machines opened up new possibilities in roller design and even the "inside" of the roller became an integral part of the development process. Comfort, ergonomics and intuitive operation relieve the burden on the operator and make the operator's platform a pleasant place to work. The integration of design and ergonomics has certainly paid off. The numerous design and innovation awards won thus far, including the Red Dot Award and the iF Design Award, are the fruit of this drive for development.
Visit our corporate website to find out how Hamm has integrated design and ergonomics into the development process.
