Mobile production of precast concrete elements

This new idea was born only two years ago: the mobile battery mould (MBM) from Weckenmann. Soon, the first two of these transportable precast concrete factories will start out on their journey to their new owners, two companies based in Singapore.

When Weckenmann introduced their innovative transportable mould concept in 2013, the interest of selected clients was immense. The reason: this technology can bring the production of flat precast concrete parts directly to where it is needed – to the immediate vicinity of the construction site. A great advantage in the face of increasing global urbanisation and the associated need to quickly build many homes of consistently high quality. In general, concrete finished parts provide the solution. Often, however, there are no stationary precast concrete plants nearby, which means long transport distances and hence uneconomical supply. Not to mention possible delays in delivery or transport damage.

The mobile field factory from Weckenmann is the ideal solution for these large temporary construction sites. Its investment costs are low, and it produces just in time and is extremely flexible. Due to its compact design, it requires a relatively small installation footprint and just a few people are needed to set it up or dismantle it in as few working days. Accordingly easy to handle is also the manufacturing process, which includes a powerful compaction device to even out any possible fluctuations in the quality of the concrete. The optimal use of hydration heat for the curing process and the possibility to preheat the mould also makes the mobile battery mould very energy efficient. A typical battery mould consisting of 20 chambers, for example, measuring 3.5 m x 7 m, can produce about 420 m² gross of wall or floor areas per day in single-shift operation. These precast concrete parts are distinguished by their high quality. This is evidenced by their smooth formwork surface on both sides.

Now two large Singapore construction companies experienced in the use of precast concrete parts have decided – independent of each other – to use this MBM technology on their construction sites. They had extensive market research and feasibility studies done beforehand, which ultimately confirmed the significant opportunities this new concept offers. In the second quarter of 2015 both mobile factories will go into operation in the city-state on the Malay peninsula.