How to Fix Mold Components in Precast Concrete Production
In prekast production, cavity makers, inserts, pah and detail elements are protected when concrete pouring; it should not create unnecessary damage and cleaning load if the mold is disassembled. Fixing method is selected according to mold surface, element material, casting force and cycle time.
Mechanical and thermal methods
Bolt, screw, welding and magnet can provide high mechanical safety; but does not comply with every die material or geometry. The drilling and welding can leave trace on the mold, the magnet works only on ferromagnetic surfaces. Hot melt-based temporary fixing can quickly connect metal, wood, foam or plastic elements to the appropriate surface and offer special disassembly behavior.
Surface preparation and die oil
It affects oil, dust and moisture adhesion on mold surface. If some special prekast hot melts are developed to work on surfaces with light die oil, the oil type and quantity should be tested in the actual mold. Excess oil film or dirt can reduce the reliability of the method. Fixing area should be straight and accessible.
Casting and disassembly requirement
The bond should be strong enough to keep the element during concrete insertion and vibration. At the same time, the mold and element should be separated without damage. Some special systems become more fragile by crystallizing in certain time and make mechanical cleaning easier. TDS and field test should be used together because this behavior is connected to temperature, time and product type.
Trial design
Prepare samples with different application quantities on the actual die surface. Measure the pull of the element and slip under the lateral load, the dismantling force after the casting cycle and the die cleaning time. The trace on the concrete surface should be added to the criteria of damage and the remaining residue on the element.
Application control list
- Identify the material of the element to be molded and fixed.
- Test mold oil type and quantity.
- represent vibration and casting load.
- Measure cleaning time with disassembly force.
- Monitor surface effect on multiple die cycles.
Conclusion
The best method in prekast fixing is not alone, but it is the way to speed up the safe remaining and dismantle-cleaning phase during casting.
Manstechnic approach
Manstechnic confirms Casttec application on the field with mold oil, element material and cycle time.