Innovative finishing lines
Aging, splitting, pitching and packaging of concrete pavers and blocks are just some of the fields of specialization of Penta Automazioni Industriali s.r.l., which, after 18 years of activity, has acquired comprehensive experience in the design, production and installation of automated plants used in this industrial sector. The supplier offers both a high quality standard and a safe system of work.
Penta recognized the ever-higher requirements imposed on plant and equipment and used this knowledge to offer innovative plants to its customers. The skills and expertise of Penta in the design of customized plants are especially appreciated by precast manufacturers that rely on the implementation of tailor-made plant designs. For Penta, 2008 has been one of the most successful and satisfactory years due to the continuing commitment and dedication shown by all Penta staff members and their desire to improve their own skills and abilities. This is the cornerstone to all Penta activities.
Apart from the delivery of conventional plants, Penta focused its continuing research activities on two projects in the course of last year: On the one hand a uniquely designed plant was installed which had been conceived specifically for the modern Swiss company Creabeton Materiaux AG. This famous company, with its factory in Lyss, always pays special attention to the quality of the concrete products and a safe system of work for its personnel. They play a leading role in the production and distribution of their comprehensive product range. Therefore Penta was very pleased to have been selected for the realization of such an important corporate project.
For Penta, the challenge posed by this project realized for Creabeton was to plan and design an aging plant able to handle both concrete pavers and large walling blocks. With this project, the Swiss company could improve the quality of its products and increase production output. In order to fully consider the requirements imposed by the wide product range to be manufactured in the design, the two companies had to resolve quite a number of issues. As a result of the close collaboration between the two companies, however, the installation of the plant could start in spring 2008. The design of the plant includes two separate lines to process pavers on one side and walling blocks on the other.
The plant is composed of a common de-stacking zone (board loosening system) for the products to be treated, and subsequently an aging cylinder that can also handle both products. Then the products are arranged and selected. In the next step, they reach the common zone where stacking and packaging is carried out. All Creabeton staff members have been extremely collaborative, and have acquired the knowledge required to operate the plant within only a short period. With this new plant design, both Creabeton and Penta achieved an important objective since the line can handle both pavers and walling blocks.
As the second main project beside the setup of custom-made plants, Penta concentrated on further improving the versatility of the in-line aging machine for pavers called Caleidosline. This machine provides the advantage that it can be installed on the existing dry side directly after the elevator/lowerator unit. The Caleidosline has been improved in all its parts over the last two years since the bauma 2007. Today, it is a machine which offers not only an increased production output but also a quick adjustment to changing paver formats. In addition, its design complies with all occupational safety requirements. The machine emits a lower noise level and has only a few wear parts.
This machine has been designed for all precast producers wishing to manufacture concrete pavers with an aged appearance using the in-line method in their existing factory if only limited space is available. Due to its reduced dimensions (it only takes up 10 m2), the Caleidosline can be installed in most existing paving block production lines on the dry side. Inside its curved tunnel, the pavers are aged simultaneously on six boards, with a cycle time of between 12 and 16 seconds for each board.
Several machines have already been installed at the premises of major customers in Italy and other European countries. Some of these customers will arrange for other interested parties to see the Caleidosline working upon request and after coordination with Penta.
The market trend towards innovative concrete block and natural stone options has encouraged Penta to also design the automated Nippy machine. Together with a splitting unit, this machine can produce split and pitched blocks in an elegant appearance.
