45
july-august 2014
international
construction
MIXING TECHNOLOGY
Spin cycle
Faster production, quicker set up and
lower emissions – mixing technology is
moving forward at a rapid pace.
Sarah McCay
reports.
>
A
s construction programmes get shorter, the challenge
for mixing equipment manufacturers is to provide
technology that delivers homogenous concrete and
asphalt with short mixing times. Add to this the desire for the
equipment to be either mobile or easy to set up/break down and
the pressure is on for manufacturers to up their game.
When it comes to concrete there are many types of mixer and
each has its own characteristics. The three most popular are
twin-shaft mixers, which offer high intensity mixing and short
mix times; vertical axis mixers, usually used for precast and
prestressed concrete; and drum mixers, which can handle large
volumes and provide the lowest operational costs.
Concrete mixing trucks provide a fourth alternative. These
can be filled with dry materials and water to be mixed en
route. More commonly though they would transport a ready-
made batch of concrete, with the mixer being used to stop the
materials segregating on way to site.
Demand up
US manufacturer Blastcrete Equipment launched its upgraded
MX-10 mixer/pump in April 2014 and says it has been
overwhelmed by demand.
It said the upgraded unit offers the fastest, most efficient
mixing capabilities in its segment of the industry. Its new,
closed-loop hydraulic circuit delivers greater speed and torque
to mix dense refractory materials in less than two minutes.
“We have seen a great boost in demand for our MX-10 concrete
pumps. We are selling them as fast as we can manufacture them.
Overall, we’re seeing increasing demand on all of our equipment
that is used in construction-related applications,” said Blastcrete
general manager Maury Bagwell.
Spin cycle
The Rapidmix 400 CW mixes up to 400 tonnes per hour
depending on application and provides feed rates that are
fully adjustable for the aggregate, cement and water systems
The hopper on
Blastcrete’s
MX-10 Mixer/
Pump handles
up to 1100 kg of
material while
its swing tube
piston pump
operates with up
to 2,200 psi
