The following sections summarise the products, materials, capacity and equipment associated with the CONSTMACH BS-20 fully automatic concrete block making machine, and explain how it relates to the other models in the BS series.
What the BS-20 produces
The BS-20 forms hollow concrete blocks and concrete paving stones as standard, producing 8 hollow blocks of 20x40x20 cm and 20 paving stones in each pressing cycle. By changing the mould, the same press can produce interlocking pavers, solid blocks and other precast concrete units. The product mix a plant can offer is determined by the moulds it holds rather than by the machine itself.
Raw materials
The machine uses a semi-dry, low-slump concrete mix.
- Aggregates such as crushed stone, gravel and sand, graded to the product
- Cement as the binder
- Water in controlled quantities to keep the mix stiff
- Pigments where coloured paving stones or facing units are required
Production capacity and pallet size
The BS-20 is rated at 100 to 120 pallets per hour and uses a production pallet of 1000 x 920 x 40 mm. Over an eight-hour shift this corresponds to figures in the region of 8,000 hollow blocks of 20x40x20 cm or about 20,000 interlocking paving stones, depending on the mould and product in use.
Automation level
The BS-20 is fully automatic and is controlled by a Schneider PLC with a 10 inch touch screen. The operator selects automatic or manual mode, recalls stored timing recipes for different products, and can stop and resume the cycle from the point at which it was halted, so routine production is supervised rather than manually driven.
Mould changeover
Each product is defined by its mould box and pressing head. Switching between hollow blocks, paving stones and other units is done by changing the mould and selecting the matching timing recipe in the control panel. The number of moulds a producer holds determines the variety of products the line can make.
Required ancillary equipment and plant layout
The press is one element of a complete block plant.
- Aggregate batching and weighing system
- Concrete mixer
- Charging conveyor or skip to feed the mix
- Pallet feeding and handling line
- Curing racks or curing area for multi-layer green product
- Stacking or cubing arrangement and forklift for the dried product
Comparison across the range
The BS-20 is the smallest model in the BS series. The model number reflects the number of paving stones formed per cycle, so capacity rises through the BS-25, BS-30 and BS-36 to the BS-42, accompanied by larger pallets and higher installed power. Selection is governed mainly by required output and pallet footprint.
