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BK Int’l switches to automated concrete batching
Automated batching of concrete is the latest addition to the already impressive resume of BK International.
The company has in the last two days converted its ready-mix concrete batching plant from manual control to a fully automated control system. The control system was installed and maintained by Command Alkon, an Engineering firm that specializes in the field.
The purpose of the plant is to mix batches of concrete by combining fine and coarse aggregates – sand and stone with cement and water in exact proportions. The combined materials are then transferred to the concrete mixer trucks for transfer to the construction site where they will be used.
BK’s Vince Hagen Automated Concrete Batching Plant
Speaking to the need for an automated control system for the batching plant which has already been in operation for more than two years was Dr. Clifton Inniss. Dr. Iniss pointed out that not only did the process allow for production to be practically doubled, it also made room for improved accuracy in batch make-up.
In terms of improving the production capacity, the automation of the system allows for the required mix proportions to be met by simply programming the required parameters into the control station software. The alternative was the manual control system where the mixing and proportions were controlled by a worker and was therefore subject to human error to a much higher degree.
Dr. Inniss explained that the mix proportion of concrete affected the properties of that concrete and were usually predetermined, based on the nature of the job that the concrete was being used for. Therefore having the wrong mix proportions could cause possible damage later on in the life of the structure.
It was also pointed out that the automated control system allows for one fluid process, while manual control required that the plant operator undertake a number of tasks before the final products can all be put together.
The concrete plant represents a US$350,000 investment on the part of BK International. According to the Quality Control Technician of the company, the plant has a production capacity of some 170 cubic yards per hour.
Each Ready Mix truck that the company owns has a capacity of eight cubic yards and the company owns a fleet of 12 of these trucks making it possible for the plant to fill all of the trucks in one go.
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