Do you know what a concrete block machine is?
A concrete block machine is a device specifically used to produce concrete blocks (also known as concrete bricks or bricks). Concrete block machines use raw materials such as cement, sand, and mineral powder to produce concrete bricks that meet standard size, strength, and appearance through mechanical pressing. Concrete block machines are widely used in construction projects, urban infrastructure construction, landscape hardening, road construction, and other fields, and are an indispensable and important equipment in modern construction.
Working principle of concrete block machine
What is the working principle of concrete block machine? The basic working principle of a concrete brick machine is to use mechanical vibration and pressure to make pre-mixed concrete or cement mortar into bricks of specific shapes and sizes. Usually, the working process of the machine includes several steps such as batching, mixing, molding, vibration, and demoulding.
1. Raw material preparation
Raw material composition: Mix cement, sand, pebbles (or broken cliff stones, pebbles, coal slag, slag, etc.) and other raw materials in a certain proportion. This step ensures the quality of raw materials for block bricks.
Mixing system: The raw materials are evenly mixed by a forced mixer to form semi-dry concrete (low humidity, easy to form quickly).
2. Feeding and spreading
Conveyor belt or hopper: The mixed concrete mixture is transported to the top of the forming mold through a conveyor belt or hydraulic hopper and fed into the mold of the block machine.
Spreader: Evenly distribute the concrete into the mold to avoid uneven density.
3. Molding and vibration compaction
Mold system: The mold determines the shape of the block (such as hollow, solid, patterned, etc.). The mold can be replaced to meet the needs of different products.
High-frequency vibration: High-frequency vibration (10-20Hz) is generated by the vibration motor at the bottom or side to expel bubbles and make the concrete dense.
Hydraulic pressurization: Some equipment uses a hydraulic head to apply pressure (5-20MPa) to the mold to further improve the density. The mold in the block machine compacts the concrete material through high pressure to ensure the density and strength of the concrete block. .
4. Demolding and stacking
Lifting demoulding: After vibration molding, the mold rises and the blocks remain on the pallet to ensure that the blocks reach the predetermined strength and quality during the curing process. .
Conveying system: The pallet is moved to the curing area by rollers or conveyor belts.
Automatic stacking: The robot arm or stacker stacks the blocks neatly for subsequent curing.
5. Curing and curing
Natural curing: The blocks are left at room temperature for 24-48 hours to maintain humidity to enhance strength.
Steam curing (optional): Accelerate the cement hydration reaction in a high temperature and high humidity environment and shorten the curing cycle to 6-12 hours.
Types of concrete brick machines
According to different standards such as function, degree of automation, and production capacity, concrete brick machines can be divided into the following types:
Manual concrete brick machines: suitable for small production enterprises or individuals, simple manual operation, and relatively low production efficiency.
Semi-automatic concrete brick machines: through manual operation and machine cooperation, the degree of automation is high and the production efficiency is considerable.
Fully automatic concrete brick machines: almost all operations are controlled by computers, with the highest degree of automation and production efficiency, suitable for large-scale production.
Key Components of a Concrete Block Machine
There are several core components that are essential to a concrete block machine.
Concrete Mixer
The mixer combines cement, aggregates, and water in a controlled ratio to ensure consistent block quality.
Molding System
This component shapes the mixture into concrete blocks. It consists of molds and a vibrating system to compact the mixture for durability.
Hydraulic System
Used in high-end machines for precise control over the molding process. Hydraulic pressure ensures that the blocks are compacted correctly.
Vibration System: The motor drives the eccentric block to produce vertical/horizontal vibration.
Control System
In semi-automatic and fully automatic machines, the control system coordinates the entire production process, including mixing, molding, and curing.
Concrete Block Machine Specifications
| Feature | Manual Block Machine | Semi-Automatic Block Machine | Fully Automatic Block Machine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Production Capacity | 500-1,000 blocks/day | 1,500-3,000 blocks/day | 5,000-20,000 blocks/day |
| Block Size (mm) | 390x190x190 | 390x190x190 | 390x190x190 |
| Power Consumption | Low (1-3 kW) | Medium (3-7 kW) | High (10-30 kW) |
| Labor Requirement | High (Manual labor) | Medium (Semi-automatic) | Low (Automated system) |
| Curing Time (Hours) | 12-24 hours | 12-24 hours | 8-12 hours |
| Weight of Blocks (kg/block) | 15-25 kg | 15-25 kg | 15-25 kg |
| Raw Material Consumption | 0.9-1.2 m³/day | 1.5-3 m³/day | 5-10 m³/day |
Advantages of using concrete block machines
-
Efficiency
Concrete block machines reduce human labor and increase the speed of production. Semi-automatic and automatic machines can produce thousands of blocks per day. -
Consistency in Quality
Since the mixture is thoroughly mixed and compacted under precise control, the quality of the blocks is more consistent compared to manually made blocks. -
Cost-Effective
Despite the initial investment, fully automatic machines provide long-term savings due to the high output, reduced labor costs, and less wastage of raw materials. -
Flexibility in Block Types
Many machines can produce a variety of block types, including solid blocks, hollow blocks, interlocking blocks, and paving stones, giving manufacturers flexibility in their product offerings. -
Environmentally Friendly
Modern machines are designed to minimize waste and energy consumption, and many utilize recyclable materials