The present invention relates to a method and system for producing concrete products by casting method by means of casting moulds assembled from corresponding outer and inner moulds, having a program-controlled, automated circulation system having a hardening area 420, a program-controlled, automated manufacturing area 100 and a conveying unit 200. The system also has a manually operable mould assembly unit having mould assembly stations M1 to M4 for manually assisted assembly of a casting mould from corresponding outer and inner moulds, wherein the conveying unit comprises a supply conveying section 222 set up to supply a casting mould assembled in the manually operable mould assembly unit to the automated circulation system under program control.

The present invention relates to a method and system for producing concrete products by casting method by means of casting moulds assembled from corresponding outer and inner moulds, having a program-controlled, automated circulation system having a hardening area 420, a program-controlled, automated manufacturing area 100 and a conveying unit 200. The system also has a manually operable mould assembly unit having mould assembly stations M1 to M4 for manually assisted assembly of a casting mould from corresponding outer and inner moulds, wherein the conveying unit comprises a supply conveying section 222 set up to supply a casting mould assembled in the manually operable mould assembly unit to the automated circulation system under program control.

Described are improved devices and processes for manufacturing concrete articles, including concrete pipe. In one embodiment, the invention provides an apparatus that has a first platform that is located beneath the floor of a manufacturing facility. The first platform includes a top surface and is configured to move bi-directionally along an axis. Two form bases can reside on the top surface of the first platform, each form base further including a form core that extends vertically from the first platform through respective holes in a second platform that resides above the first platform at an elevation even with or just above the floor's surface. The second platform is configured to move bi-directionally with the first platform between one of two cranes disposed on either side of a concrete mixer. A form is placed over the first core, which is then positioned under the outlet of an auger that receives concrete from the mixer. After filling is complete, the first core is positioned under the first crane which provides ballast to compress the concrete, and the second core (with a form) is placed under the auger's outlet for filling. After compression of the first form complete, the form can be removed using an overhead crane, and the second core is relocated to the second crane for concrete compression.

A structure construction apparatus including a frame unit, a formwork unit and a compacting unit is provided. The frame unit is provided on a ground on which a structure is to be constructed. The formwork unit is mounted on the frame unit, and maintains structural materials in a form to be constructed. The compacting unit is disposed to be adjacent to the formwork unit so as to compact the structural materials provided in the formwork unit. The formwork unit and the compacting unit are configured to move through the frame unit so as to automatically construct the structure.

A mold assembly for forming concrete products comprising a mold box having cavities for receiving and molding concrete products and a mounting bracket extension coupled to each side wall of the mold box and forming a lower mounting surface of the mold box. Die alignment holes are formed in an underside of each mounting bracket extension and are configured to receive alignment dowels extending upward from shelves of the concrete products forming machine on which the mold box sits. The mounting bracket extensions further include mold transfer locators formed on the underside inward of the die alignment holes so that they are exposed from below when the mold assembly sits on the shelves of the concrete products forming machine. These locators are configured to locate the mold assembly onto mold extractor arms when the mold assembly is lifted off of the alignment dowels by the mold extractor arms during a mold extraction process.

Masonry units, such a blocks, are fabricated in a sequential process, using improved mold structures, such as within a production corridor of a corresponding fabrication system. A compressible masonry feedstock or formula, which can be de-agglomerated before use, is filled within a block mold having releasable elements. The formula is then compressed within the mold structure. The compressed workpiece can be further processed, such as for any of final height adjustment, the establishment of a surface feature, or to remove cores. The block mold, having releasable elements or sides, such as using hinges or springs, is released from the formed block, wherein the formed masonry unit can be removed for curing, and wherein the block mold can be reused to fabricate a subsequent masonry unit.

Masonry units, such a blocks, are fabricated in a sequential process, using improved mold structures, such as within a production corridor of a corresponding fabrication system. A compressible masonry feedstock or formula, which can be de-agglomerated before use, is filled within a block mold having releasable elements. The formula is then compressed within the mold structure. The compressed workpiece can be further processed, such as for any of final height adjustment, the establishment of a surface feature, or to remove cores. The block mold, having releasable elements or sides, such as using hinges or springs, is released from the formed block, wherein the formed masonry unit can be removed for curing, and wherein the block mold can be reused to fabricate a subsequent masonry unit.

Apparatus (100) for on-site production of components for concrete building, comprising a box-like containing structure (10) suitable for conveying and defining a containing volume (V) comprising a first subvolume (V1) and a second subvolume (V2). The apparatus (100) further comprises a support frame (20) housed in the first subvolume (V1), at least two formworks (30a, 30b) for containing a preset quantity of concrete. Each formwork (30a, 30b) is slidably housable in the support frame (20) to assume a storage configuration and an extraction configuration in which the formwork (30a, 30b) is at least partially extracted from the support frame (20)). The apparatus (100) further comprises an extractor device (40) configured to withdraw at least one formwork (30a, 30b) by moving the formwork (30a, 30b) between the storage and extraction configurations. The apparatus further comprises liquid concrete feeding means (50) configured to dispense concrete to each formwork (30a, 30b).

Apparatus (100) for on-site production of components for concrete building, comprising a box-like containing structure (10) suitable for conveying and defining a containing volume (V) comprising a first subvolume (V1) and a second subvolume (V2). The apparatus (100) further comprises a support frame (20) housed in the first subvolume (V1), at least two formworks (30a, 30b) for containing a preset quantity of concrete. Each formwork (30a, 30b) is slidably housable in the support frame (20) to assume a storage configuration and an extraction configuration in which the formwork (30a, 30b) is at least partially extracted from the support frame (20)). The apparatus (100) further comprises an extractor device (40) configured to withdraw at least one formwork (30a, 30b) by moving the formwork (30a, 30b) between the storage and extraction configurations. The apparatus further comprises liquid concrete feeding means (50) configured to dispense concrete to each formwork (30a, 30b).

A plant for producing a concrete prefabricated component includes a plurality of stations, a transport system to transport the production pallet through the plant, and a 3D printing station having a layer depositing device for depositing a particulate aggregate on the production pallet and having a printing head for controlled delivery of a water-binder mixture. The plant also includes a storage device to store particulate aggregate, a conveying device to convey the particulate aggregate to the layer depositing device of the 3D printing station, a mixing device for mixing the water-binder mixture, a feed device to feed the water-binder mixture to the printing head, and an unpacking station in which a concrete prefabricated component printed in the 3D printing station on the production pallet can be unpacked from an unbound particulate aggregate.