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Get Machine PricingA concrete block-making machine is a piece of specialized equipment that streamlines the production of concrete blocks for your construction projects. Concrete products are one of the most valuable resources in the world, with global market estimates projected to reach $517 million by 2034. As the Global South increases its demand for concrete, it is critical to know the answer to the question, “What is a concrete block-making machine?” now more than ever.
Lontto has over 30 years of experience providing worldwide brick and block-making machine solutions to construction projects. We’ve written this article to help you understand what a concrete block-making machine is, the different types of machines, and the manufacturing process.
Key Takeaways:
- A block machine is used to produce concrete depending on the requirements of your construction project.
- The block-making machine uses pressure and vibration to form different kinds of concrete, usually made from cement, aggregates, and water.
- Two types of block machines commonly found on construction sites are stationary and mobile block-making machines.
- The manufacturing process includes mixing ingredients, forming concrete bricks, and curing them to their maximum strength.
What are the Core Features of Concrete Block Making Machines?
The core features of a concrete block machine include those used to mix concrete block ingredients, mold them into your desired block, and various control systems to allow you to alter the production process. The five main features of any concrete block-making machine are:
- Material handling system
- Mixing unit
- Molding system
- Compression mechanism
- Control system
What are Different Types of Concrete Block Making Machines?
The two types of concrete block-making machines are stationary brick-making machines and mobile block-making machines. Each type of machine is used for specific production niches, depending on the remoteness of your project, the production rate required, and your budget.
| Type | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Stationary Machines | Requires relatively small production space | Needs concrete foundation for installation |
| Higher production capacity (500 to 12,000 blocks/8 hours) | Requires pallets for block production | |
| Consistent quality through automatic weighing | Pallets are expensive and need regular replacement | |
| Can produce double-layer paving blocks | Higher initial investment for full automation | |
| Mobile Machines | No pallet requirement | Lower production capacity (100 to 4,000 blocks/8 hours) |
| Simple working mechanism | Limited mold options | |
| No need for heavy foundation or roofing | Higher rate of manual errors | |
| Flexible production location | Requires large concrete slab for production |
Stationary Block Making Machines
As the name suggests, stationary concrete block-making machines are typically immovable. They offer a high production rate, especially for the relatively small size they can occupy (around 800 square feet to 1,700 square feet). This makes a stationary block machine an excellent option for a construction project that requires more concrete blocks.
A stationary block-making machine uses a hard concrete floor for support, which may incur additional costs if your warehouse doesn’t include one. Stationary block-making machines also allow you to produce from more molds than mobile machines, including pavers, hollow blocks, and curb stones. In addition to variety, stationary block-making machines provide consistent, high-quality concrete partly due to automatic weighing systems.
Mobile Block Making Machines
Building a temporary stationary concrete block-making machine for your production needs is often time-consuming and costly if your construction is outside significant settlements and cities. Mobile block-making machines offer the versatility to move your production anywhere you need without pallets or heavy foundations.
You do have a tradeoff for this mobility, which comes in a reasonably simple working mechanism and production rate. Less capacity and fewer options for molds mean that mobile block-making machines excel in construction that has a limited budget, prolonged project time, and additional labor to help assist in the production process.
What is the Manufacturing Process of Block Machines?
The manufacturing process of block machines includes preparing the raw material mixtures into precise ratios to form concrete, transporting it to form blocks using concrete molds, and finally, curing the bricks to increase their strength and durability.
| Block Manufacturing Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Material Preparation | Involves mixing cement, sand, and stone in a 1:2:3 ratio . Water and aggregates are then added to form the final mixture. |
| Production | Mix the mixture for several minutes before transporting it to your concrete block-making machine for production. Production of blocks will depend on if your machine is manual, semi-automatic, or automatic. |
| Curing Process | The molded blocks are initially cured for 24 hours, then potentially up to 28 days to ensure full strength is achieved. |
| Quality Control | Throughout the process, experts will test the quality of the raw materials, the compressive strength of the machine, and the final strength of your concrete blocks. |
Material Preparation
Before producing your concrete blocks using block machines can begin, you must prepare the materials beforehand. The raw ingredients of cement blocks include Portland cement, sand and aggregates, and water. The cement acts as the primary binder of the block, which can be colored with additives and pigments.
The ingredients are mixed in a specific ratio, typically 1 part cement to 2 parts sand and three parts aggregate. Water is between 40% to 60% of the mixture’s weight.
Production Steps
Once the mixture is adequately prepared, you must ensure your concrete block-making machine works. Check if the vibration frequency is between 2,800 to 4,500 RPM, the hydraulic pressure is set for high compression, and the cycle time is between 11 to 25 seconds per operation.
What are the Production Capacities of Different Block Machines?
Concrete block-making machines have different production capacities, whether manual, semi-automatic, or fully automatic. Here is the production rate for each type of block machine:
- Manual: 2,250-3,750 blocks/8 hours
- Semi-Automatic: 4,000-12,000 blocks/8 hours
- Automatic: Up to 24,000 blocks/8 hours
Curing Process
The curing process for your blocks will depend on which curing technique you use for your blocks. These include wet, steam, membrane, or chemical curing.
| Curing Technique | Duration | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| Wet curing | 7-14 days total curing time | Large horizontal surfaces |
| Steam curing | 2-24 hours total process | Cold weather conditions |
| Membrane curing | 28 days for full strength | Vertical surfaces |
| Chemical curing | 7 days minimum | Projects with tight schedules |
In most cases, blocks will achieve 70% of their strength by day 7. This is why specific standards like the Federal Highway Administration Research and Technology require you to cure your blocks 7 days after placement.
Quality Control
Quality control is not the final step but the continuation of checks and balances throughout the concrete block-making machine process. This is essential for record-keeping, including material testing, production parameters, quality control measurements, and machine data.
A concrete block-making machine becomes an essential pillar for your construction project if you properly control the quality and quantity during the production process. Lontto offers high-quality, low-cost brick and block-making machine solutions to meet your demands. Contact us for your FREE block machine quote today.
FAQs on What is a Concrete Block-Making Machine?
What mixes concrete in transit?
Transit-mixed concrete is mixed in a rotating drum mounted on a truck during transportation to construction sites. This ensures they're continually mixed during transport at a medium speed to reduce the chances of overmixing or the concrete beginning to set.
How many blocks can be produced in a day?
High-end models can produce around 18,000 concrete blocks every 8 hours, which is only possible by automatic block-making machines. This can be affected by using a hydraulic concrete block-making machine, worker availability, and the quality of raw products.
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I am Chao Zhang, I have been working in the brick making industry for over 10 years. I have a deep understanding and research on various models of block making machines, especially automatic brick machines, concrete block machines, compressed earth block machines, clay brick machines, cement brick machines. I have a special understanding of this industry. I can help my clients choose the suitable brick machine and assist them in designing and building a brick production factory. If you want to know everything about brick making machines, please contact me. I am happy to help you.
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