Joint ring handling equipment

One of the most crucial elements in the production of high-quality concrete products are the forming rings (pallets, headers/set rings) that form the male and female ends of pipes.

To ensure the production of high-quality products, these rings must be kept clean and in shape.

The process of distributing the forming rings throughout the production process is also an integral part of concrete plant efficiency, as each concrete production cycle requires the right number of rings in the right place at the right time.

Afinitas joint ring handling solutions ensure equal high quality and efficiency. These systems automatically transport, clean and inventory the joint rings. Thus, they eliminate organizational bottlenecks and ensure efficient, consistent production of high-quality concrete products.

In doing so, joint ring handling systems are available as stand-alone components, used to incrementally increase plant productivity, or as part of a fully automated, integrated production line.

JOINT RINGS' HANDLING

◎   joint ring cleaning systems

In the production of high-quality spigot ends and bells, it is crucial to clean the used pallets and headers from any residual concrete buildup. The cleanliness of the ring also directly affects the ease of removal.

To ensure rapid cleaning of joint rings, Afinitas uses a method of multiple cleaning brushes, each of which simultaneously cleans a different surface of the ring. This allows for a thoroughly cleaned ring during the cycle, which does not slow down the operation of the entire system.

Another advantage of the Afinitas systems is that they use pneumatics to control brush pressure, compensating for brush wear and allowing the cleaning pressure to be adjusted for different ring sizes.

Afinitas units also use a scraper to clean the critical lower part of the bell to prevent damage to the neoprene core seals.

◎ BFS Puma Base Ring Pallet Cleaning System

The PUMA cleaning system is used to clean the base pallets gently and quickly. It is based on the fully automated, multi-axis-controlled cleaning robot PUMA. Special cleaning scrapers carefully scrape both coarser and finer concrete residues from the inner and outer edges.

A rotating CNC-controlled steel wire brush cleans the profile of the base pallet. Brush pressure is automatically adjusted and remains constant, even when the brushes show wear.

Operators can independently configure the BFS PUMA to clean new types of base sleepers or new diameters with simple teach-in programming. Efficient dust extraction systems are available as an optional extra for the machine and its housing.

◎   Joint ring inventory systems

After automatic cleaning, the rings are stocked in tall stacks and stored there until their next use. This function is performed by space-saving Afinitas inventory systems, which also monitor the production cycle and return the rings to the production machines for the next cycle if required - all without human intervention.

High-speed ring stacking manipulators precisely maneuver the pallets and headers into and out of the warehouse, and carefully stack rings into tall stacks of 3.5 meters high.

Benefits of the ring storage system:

  • Eliminates the manual labor involved in handling rings, including stacking, storing and returning to the machine
  • Protects rings from damage due to inadequate manual handling
  • Provides space savings in the building due to low storage space requirements
  • Can handle rings with a round, rectangular, oval or curved profile.

◎   Joint ring oiling

Before the ring is inserted back into the production machine, a release agent must be applied to it to ensure easy removal the following day.

Afinitas provides a range of automated solutions to handle this process, including dipping and spraying systems.

Afinitas spray oilers use bits that automatically adjust to all ring sizes and apply release agent to all contact surfaces of the joint ring.

Benefits:

  • Elimination of costly labor at the plant
  • Automatic adjustment to all ring sizes
  • Ability to handle rings with round, box, arch and oval profiles
  • Adaptable to many different plant configurations.