Cubis Systems has commissioned a concrete batching plant solution

An operating division of one of Europe’s leading building materials companies, Cubis Systems is a global leader in the manufacture of access chamber and ducting systems that are used in the construction of infrastructure networks. The company’s headquarters are located in County Armagh, Northern Ireland, and the company has seven manufacturing plants across the UK and Ireland. It exports to over 25 countries worldwide.

In 2018, Cubis chose a bespoke Rapid concrete batching plant solution for its site in County Armagh. The aim of the solution was to support the future demands in both output and quality that are required by its customers.

Operating across seven sectors, including telecoms, highways, light rail, water, power and energy, and the Ministry of Defense, Cubis has an extensive product offering. This includes network access covers and chamber systems, cable protection products, conductive concrete, and chamber accessories.

Until 2019, Cubic’s previous concrete production system involved the use of a volumetric truck mixer. This method of production was not only time-consuming, but also made it difficult to control the process of achieving the desired outputs and tensile strength of the final product.

Desiring to continue targeting key global markets, Cubis required a system that offered better consistency, flexibility, and increased outputs to keep up with growth. Thus, a project team was established to identify the best available machinery, aiming to find both appropriate equipment and a partnership to collaboratively develop solutions.

“We wanted a company who could develop the process to remove inconsistent and uncontrolled concrete mixes to design higher strength products, ultimately giving us the capability to enter markets we previously could not compete in,” said Colin Bridges, Performance Manager at Cubis. “It was also important to be able to draw on readily available expertise, backup, and support. During the tendering process, it became clear from an early stage that Rapid International could satisfy our requirements.”

Co-developed with Cubis, the bespoke Rapid concrete batching plant integrates a Rapid RP5001 door planetary mixer that is positioned on a specifically designed platform, granting easy access for maintenance. Outputs are 0.5 m³ per batch, featuring a pneumatically operated discharge door with heavy duty mechanisms, extra thick chill-cast wall and floor tiles, and a 22 kW three-phase motor. The mixer is well suited to precast applications and features a star mixing action, which creates high turbulence and results in a consistent and homogenous mix. The motor and gearbox are positioned on top of the mixer, allowing easy access for cleaning and maintenance, which was a key consideration for Cubis.

The company also opted for an optional Rapid Jetwash to enable fast and powerful mixer cleaning. This is a fully galvanised, self-contained high pressure mixer washout system for fast and effective mixer clean out. Each wash cycle takes four minutes and the 2000 psi unit can power up to four mixers simultaneously.

Two 20 t aggregates storage bins with pneumatic discharge doors and 300 W electrical vibrators also feature in the bespoke plant. The plant’s integral 600 mm weigh belt is capable of delivering up to 200 tph and has a weigh capacity of 0.75 m³ per batch. The plant also includes a 0.75 m³ mixer filling skip.

“Rapid has delivered on all fronts – from expert advice during the consultation period, to the project being delivered on time,” said Bridges. “The action plan of installation was followed to the letter and everything was completed efficiently and professionally – including the daily support offered onsite in the early implementation period. Cubis has benefitted from this project, through improved health and safety, higher quality and consistency of concrete mixes, increased productivity, reduced maintenance and downtime, reduction in material waste, and a cleaner working environment.”

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/04012019/cubis-systems-has-commissioned-a-concrete-batching-plant-solution/