The invention comprises a concrete form. The form comprises a first concrete forming panel having a first primary surface adapted for forming and contacting plastic concrete and a second primary surface opposite the first primary surface; a layer of insulating material contacting and substantially covering the second primary surface of the first concrete forming panel; and an insulating blanket adjacent the first concrete forming panel. A method of using the concrete form is also disclosed.

Adjustable concrete forms, typically fabricated from steel, allowing variation in the height, tilt, and shape of the form of gravity wall sections. The adjustable concrete form includes adjustable height vertical and sloped walls to change the height of the form through the operation of built-in mechanical jacks, such as ball screw assemblies. The separation distances at top and bottom of the walls can be adjusted by upper connectors (e.g., tie bars) and lower connectors (e.g., base straps). The same adjustable concrete form is assembled, used to pour a gravity wall section, disassembled, repositioned, and reassembled a virtually unlimited number of times to create varying height, tilt, and shape gravity wall sections for mile after of roadway construction.

Adjustable concrete forms, typically fabricated from steel, allowing variation in the height, tilt, and shape of the form of gravity wall sections. The adjustable concrete form includes adjustable height vertical and sloped walls to change the height of the form through the operation of built-in mechanical jacks, such as ball screw assemblies. The separation distances at top and bottom of the walls can be adjusted by upper connectors (e.g., tie bars) and lower connectors (e.g., base straps). The same adjustable concrete form is assembled, used to pour a gravity wall section, disassembled, repositioned, and reassembled a virtually unlimited number of times to create varying height, tilt, and shape gravity wall sections for mile after of roadway construction.

A system for supporting workpieces during machining. The system comprises one or more adjustable workpiece support assemblies and a robotic unit. Each workpiece support assembly comprises a pedestal and a rotatable fixture element. The robotic assembly comprises means of mobilizing and immobilizing each support assembly, so that the fixture element may be secured in a particular orientation. The robotic unit moves along a frame, and manipulates and fixes the position of the fixture elements to match the contour of a workpiece. Vacuum forces may be applied through the workpiece support assemblies to secure the workpiece against the fixture elements.

A block reinforcement cage made from reinforcing material and adapted for loading within a machine during a block manufacturing process for molding a concrete U-wall construction block structure. The block cage includes an open aperture formed in each of its stem reinforcing portions. During the block manufacturing process, the first and second support members of a support mechanism are inserted within the open apertures formed in the stem reinforcing sections of the block cage, and cooperate with the open apertures of the block cage so as to (i) support the block cage when being loaded into a block manufacturing machine, (ii) define central apertures molded in each stem portion of the concrete U-wall construction block structure, and (iii) lift the molded concrete U-wall construction block when being unloaded from the machine.

A block reinforcement cage made from reinforcing material and adapted for loading within a machine during a block manufacturing process for molding a concrete U-wall construction block structure. The block cage includes an open aperture formed in each of its stem reinforcing portions. During the block manufacturing process, the first and second support members of a support mechanism are inserted within the open apertures formed in the stem reinforcing sections of the block cage, and cooperate with the open apertures of the block cage so as to (i) support the block cage when being loaded into a block manufacturing machine, (ii) define central apertures molded in each stem portion of the concrete U-wall construction block structure, and (iii) lift the molded concrete U-wall construction block when being unloaded from the machine.

A manhole base assembly and a method for making the same employ a non-cylindrical, low-volume concrete base that is fully lined to protect the concrete against chemical and physical attack while in service. This lined concrete manhole base assembly may be readily produced using a modular manhole form assembly which can be configured for a wide variety of geometrical configurations compatible with, e.g., varying pipe angles, elevations and sizes. The form assembly is configurable to provide any desired angle and elevation for the pipe apertures to interface with various underground systems, and can be formed on-site to facilitate compatibility with existing structures. The assembly provides for flexible, modular construction of a wide variety of lined manhole base assemblies at minimal cost, reduced concrete consumption and reduced operational complexity. The modular nature of the production form assembly also facilitates reduced inventory requirements when various manhole base assembly geometries are needed.

A manhole base assembly and a method for making the same employ a non-cylindrical, low-volume concrete base that is fully lined to protect the concrete against chemical and physical attack while in service. This lined concrete manhole base assembly may be readily produced using a modular manhole form assembly which can be configured for a wide variety of geometrical configurations compatible with, e.g., varying pipe angles, elevations and sizes. The form assembly is configurable to provide any desired angle and elevation for the pipe apertures to interface with various underground systems, and can be formed on-site to facilitate compatibility with existing structures. The assembly provides for flexible, modular construction of a wide variety of lined manhole base assemblies at minimal cost, reduced concrete consumption and reduced operational complexity. The modular nature of the production form assembly also facilitates reduced inventory requirements when various manhole base assembly geometries are needed.

In exemplary implementations, a target rod is actuated. The target rod is part of a set of threaded, elongated rods, the longitudinal axes of which are substantially parallel to each other. The set of rods has an interior region and a perimeter region. Actuators induce vibrations in a set of perimeter rods. These vibrations are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes. Furthermore, the vibrations are transmitted to interior rods, causing a target rod in the interior region to rotate about, and translate along, the longitudinal axis of the target rod. The target rod undergoes stick-slip motion relative to adjacent rods.

Disclosed is a universal mold having removable arm members and socket members that can be configured to fabricate the border blocks, the corner blocks and the interior blocks.