The present invention pertains to cladding element for walls of buildings. Particularly, the present invention pertains to improved integrated machinery, means and methods for manufacturing covering elements for walls of buildings with concrete cladding blocks and a plurality of embedded anchors in predetermined configuration, number and distribution.
The increasing shortage in natural stone cladding elements for buildings drives the construction industry towards industrialised cladding elements to fill the growing need in this area. Industrialised stones are manufactured and cured, and then are used to cover the external sides of walls of buildings. This significantly lowers costs without compromising on stone quality. The cladding method itself is, however, difficult, because the cladding blocks have to be stably fixed to the support walls and endure stress-strain changes during the lifetime of the building.
Current cladding methods drill holes at the sides of the cladding blocks, to which fastening anchors are introduced and connected to an intermediate steel net between the blocks and support wall. The anchors themselves are bent towards the net. Fresh mortar is then poured into the space that accommodates the net between the blocks and wall and covers the net and bent part of the anchors. Such method carries certain disadvantages, particularly in the difficulty in implementing this method onsite, and employing significant workforce. Another disadvantage is the limited flexibility in determining the location and number of the anchors, which in turn also limits the strength in which the anchors hold the cladding blocks to the support wall.
More versatile, efficient and low cost method, machinery and means are thus required to overcome these shortcomings.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide integrated machinery for manufacturing cladding elements that comprise advance embedded anchors in predetermined number, distribution and configuration for fixing to a construction wall in a plant or onsite.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide methods for prefabricating cladding walls or onsite cladding walls, where larger versatility and flexibility is provided in the number, distribution and configuration of the anchors that fix the cladding blocks to a support wall.
This and other objects and embodiments of the present invention shall become apparent as the description proceeds.
The present invention pertains to integrated machine for manufacturing anchor embedded cladding elements. Essentially, this machine comprises a cladding block manufacturing machine and anchor feeding and embedding machine, where the concrete block manufacturing machine and anchor feeding and embedding machine are configured for coordinated operation for producing anchors embedded cladding elements comprising concrete blocks and anchors embedded within said blocks.
The flexibility and versatility of the machine is in determining the end location of the anchors in the final cladding element before even manufacturing the cladding block. This provides greater degree of freedom, which in turn allows increasing the strength in fixing the cladding elements to a support wall on the one hand, and decreasing onsite or prefabrication workload and difficulties in the cladding process, and ensures that all anchors needed are there.
The anchors used are essentially three parts, one longer and one shorter legs and a bendable axis connecting them. This structure allows bending the anchors in 90° position between the legs and sticking them into freshly manufactured concrete cladd blocks. Then dedicated device may be used to lift the exposed leg, which is usually the longer one, up and use it to connect to a support wall through mediating elements, namely a steel net and cement poured in the space between the cladding elements and the wall.
The degrees of freedom in determining the number, distribution and configuration of the anchors in advance provide improved strength in fixing the cladding elements to a support wall and versatility and flexibility in adapting the required strength under varying conditions, including weather changes, gradual erosion, seismographic activity and general environmental conditions.
The machinery of the present invention is based on machinery for producing cladding blocks and an adaptable machine for arranging, mounting, loading, delivering and embedding anchors in the cladding blocks. Such integrated machinery requires that these two modules operate in coordination with each other. Essentially, the anchor related module is also adaptable to custom machines for manufacturing cladding blocks and may be arranged to work with them from mechanic and timing perspectives.
Different methods for cladding walls with cladding elements having anchors embedded in them are also contemplated within the scope of the present invention. Such methods are essentially divided between prefabrication and onsite methods. Both types of methods use essentially the same elements which are produced by the integrated machinery of the present invention.
In what follows and in accordance with the previous paragraphs, a detailed description of preferred non-limiting embodiments of the invention is disclosed for the product, method, machinery and elements for manufacturing the cladding blocks with integrated anchors without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
The particular parts of the Hermetic Press machine 100 are further illustrated in
The process of producing double-layer concrete cladding blocks is carried out according to the following general steps:
The following relates to the general illustration of the machine 100 and its particular parts in
After pressing the cladding blocks are taken out, released from the plates and moved out with electro-mechanical vacuum assisted systems. Then they are placed on dedicated steel pallets. The elements, namely cladding concrete blocks, on the steel surfaces are then moved to curing chambers. Finally, after curing the steel pallets with the cladding blocks are taken to unloading and packaging.
This covers the basic general process for manufacturing cladding blocks, which are used in the present invention. The different modules of the Hermetic Press machine 100 are generally illustrated in
It should be noted that this Hermetic Press machine is exemplary for means and methods for manufacturing cladding concrete blocks, but other similar or different machines may qualify and are contemplated within the scope of the present invention. For example, machines with “linear” production methods, namely without a revolving table and with an identical or similar production process, considering the final result, may also be used in the present invention for producing cladding blocks/elements and integrating anchors within them.
In one particular embodiment, the cladding block has a thickness between 25 mm and 35 mm, and is made of two concrete layers: one “top” layer with a thickness of about 10 mm, a second “bottom” layer with a thickness of 15 mm to 25 mm. In a further embodiment, the two-layer concrete comprises aggregates and sand in different sizes, type and level of content of cement, additives and water. In a further embodiment, colorants are added to the mixture that forms the concrete of the two layers to obtain a desired shade or hue.
To produce an element, namely a concrete cladding block, with integrated anchors, the anchors are fed into the Hermetic Press machine 100 such that they are eventually placed in exactly pre-selected locations at the cladding block. These anchors (which are fed in 90° bent position, see
The delivery of the anchors to the press machine 100 is done with complementing anchor feeding and embedding machine 200 for embedding the anchors in the concrete blocks. An exemplary machine 200 is schematically illustrated in
The method of feeding the anchors in the exact places in the elements, namely cladding blocks that the Hermetic Press machine 100 produces may be done by configuring the grooves in which the anchors are placed on the tray. Such configuration should match the intended configuration of the anchors when embedded in the concrete blocks as shaped by the plates 155 that hold them. Further, coordination of the operation between the two machines, 100 and 200, and mounting and releasing mechanisms for arranging the anchors on the trays and dropping them exactly at their intended locations on the cladding blocks is also contemplated to ensure a supervised and regulated process. In preferred embodiments, the anchor embedding machine 200 is automatic, semi-automatic or divided between manual labour and machine operation. In still another embodiment, this machine 200 comprises the following components:
The machine head device travels along a defined track along the beam/arm between its base at the point of pick-up of the anchors with vacuum means to the drop-off point at the distal frame above the cladding block plates. This allows holding the anchors in releasable positions by the machine head device and dropping them off when reaching matched position of the anchors tray above a plate of a cladding block. Accordingly, the anchor embedding machine 200 may further comprise means for measuring and identifying the locations and positions of the anchors which are held by the machine head device 210 relative to the location, dimension and position of the cladding block plate. This provides accurate orientation of the anchors relative to the plate of the cladding block and ensures proper placement in the concrete according to a selected configuration. The machine 200 may also comprise means for driving the machine head device 210 to and holding it in accurate position above the plate of a cladding block. This ensures that the anchors are dropped off at exactly their intended pre-planned locations in the block to complete the process and eventually provide the desired stress-strain profile for the particular wall with the cladding elements. In one particular embodiment, the anchors tray, which holds the anchors before pick-up is made of a material selected from aluminium, metal or metallic materials, synthetic polymeric materials (polymer) and any combination thereof. In another particular embodiment, the tray matches the dimensions of the plate of the machine for the elements produced, namely anchors integrated cladding blocks. To hold the anchors in place, such anchors tray comprises slots in which 90° bent anchors are threaded. In one particular embodiment, threading the anchors is done manually before the manufacturing process initiates, so that a tray filled with bent anchors is provided to the machine when the cladding block is finished. In still another embodiment, the anchors are automatically stacked and fed in serial form and unloaded onto the cladding block according to computer generated and controlled plan. In still another embodiment, the anchors are automatically fed and placed on the trays in a particular selected configuration, which is computer generated and controlled. In these the machine beam or arm 200 and device 210 are maneuvered according to computer or controller commands for loading the anchors on the trays, traveling towards and above the concrete cladding block plates and unloading the anchors according to a selected location plan.
The machine head device 210 travels the distance along the beam/arm 215. In an alternative embodiment, the beam or arm 215 turns on its main axis and brings the device 210 to place above the plates 155 that contain the freshly produced cladding blocks. The machine head device 210 travels together with vacuum and compressed air system, where the vacuum system comprises vacuum mouthpieces for pulling the anchors off of the tray and arriving above plates 155 to fixed position. The anchors are caught by the mouthpieces with the vacuum mouthpieces. At the base of the machine 200, the empty tray is removed from the table and replaced with a filled tray or the emptied tray is filled again.
In one embodiment, different configurations of slots are made on the trays for embedding anchors in corresponding locations in the element. The different slots may be marked, for example with color, to distinguish between the different slot configurations on the trays. This ensures the matching of corresponding load and placement of the correct anchors that belong to a particular configuration, which is intended for a particular element together with double or more use of the same tray for multiple elements. In still another embodiment, the trays are provided in sufficient number, for example tens or hundreds of units, so that the rate of production in the machine is not compromised or slowed down due to slow load (of anchor units). As a result, the number of trays compensates the loading time of anchors on the trays and ensures an ongoing process of manufacturing the cladding blocks and embedding anchors in them to produce the anchor embedded cladding elements of the present invention. In one particular example, the production rate in the machine is between 15 and 30 seconds per cycle.
The mechanism for holding, travelling and dropping off of the anchors by machine 200 is as described above. Particularly, the machine head is equipped with vacuum system to pull the anchors off of the tray, hold, lower towards and push them onto the upper surface of the cladding block. The vacuum system comprises vacuum mouthpieces mounted on the machine 200 head, which are used to pull the anchors off upon application of vacuum, when arriving at the destination above the cladding blocks. The machine head moves backwards and the head is stabilized above the filled tray. A lower plate with the vacuum mouthpieces is pressed downwards with air pressure towards springs. Then the vacuum system is operated and the anchors are caught by the mouthpieces. The lower plate moves up by releasing air pressure and the action of the springs. Then the head travels on the beam towards the cladding block plates on machine 100 (in proper timing) and arrives above the concrete “lower”, “dry” layer in the filled plate. Upon arriving, the lower plate is pressed by air pressure, goes down on the anchors above the cladding block surface and pushes them in so that the vertical ends of the anchors are easily and smoothly partially stuck in the block concrete. Specifically, the horizontal part 305 (see
Specifically, the vacuum mouthpieces are located according to the desired final locations of the anchors in the cladding block. These locations can be modified according to the locations and number of anchors and their configuration on the anchors tray. Other parameters may be considered when determining the anchors configuration and corresponding configuration of vacuum mouthpieces such as the size and dimensions of the cladding block. Air pressure is generated by a compressed air system that uses springs or inflating and deflating air bags to push down and pull up the machine head over the lower plate.
In one embodiment, mechanical or magnetic means are used in the machine head device for lifting the anchors off of the tray and releasing them in the cladding blocks. Particularly, magnet couplings or electromagnet, in which alternating electrical current generates magnetic field, may be used to attract the anchors up from the tray, hold them while traveling along the beam/arm and release them into the cladding blocks at the distal end. Magnetized metal is used in the anchors for use of such magnetic means to hold and shift them from the tray to the cladding block.
The combination of any press machine and the anchor feeding and embedding machine of the present invention requires accurate positioning and synchronizing between the machines to press the anchors in their proper place in the concrete claddings. Particularly, the exemplary anchor feeding and embedding machine 100 is positioned in a particular position relative to the Hermetic Press Machine 200 and synchronized with the latter cycle of production to introduce the anchor carrying trays into a selected station at a particular time interval of this cycle. The relative positioning and configuration of these two machines should be so designed to manufacture uniform anchor embedded claddings. Accordingly, machine 100 should be leveled relative to machine 200 in particular distance, height and angle to allow secure delivery, positioning and locking of the anchors to the claddings. Adapting machine 100 to any production line of claddings is, therefore, unique to the particular characteristics of machine 100 and the particular features of the machine for manufacturing the claddings. The following exemplifies the coordinated operation of machine 200 and machine 100 and details how it is carried out:
Holding, carrying and releasing the anchors with vacuum means may be done in the following method:
Similarly, holding, carrying and releasing the anchors with magnetic or electromagnetic means may be done in the following method:
The machine is guided by electricity and control system, and operates in coordination with the control system of the machine 100 for manufacturing the cladding blocks.
Exemplary non-limiting illustrations and dimensions of the anchors are shown in
In one particular embodiment, the anchors are made of stainless steel according to regulations with thickness of between 0.6 and 1.0 mm, or customized according to demand. The width of the anchors is between 8 and 12 mm, however any other width may also be suitable. The length of the anchor vertical part which is stuck in the concrete is 20 mm, the length of the anchor horizontal part (designed to be covered by cast concrete of the wall) is 60 mm or any other dimension that fits the plan for the particular construction. The anchors comprise recesses to enable stronger adherence to the concrete in both sides, namely the element and wall.
Before placing the cladding elements, i.e., cladding blocks with embedded anchors, at the construction site, the horizontal part of the anchor is lifted vertically relative to the element surface. A dedicated device such as the one 400 illustrated in
In manual lifting of the anchor's exposed part 305, the worker pushes the edge of the “blade” 430 under the anchor and separates between the anchor and concrete (of the element). The “blade”, which is composed of a stainless steel tube, sharpened at the edge, and with width that fits the anchor, slides under the part 305 of the anchor between this part and the surface of the block and with a simple action, a worker aligns the anchor (horizontal part) to vertical position.
Particular exemplary non-limiting embodiments in
In one preferred embodiment, application is done in prefabricated factory for constructing a concrete wall with cladding elements in the following way:
In this method, the anchors are “submerged” in the fresh concrete and after curing are used to hold the cladding elements attached to the construction wall.
In another non-limiting embodiment, the cladding elements are attached to a support wall of a building onsite. In such method the cladding elements are placed in a frame, which may be horizontal or inclined, where the front side of the cladding elements face the frame distal face and the anchors face up. A system, e.g., an array, of rods holds the anchors, and the frame is lifted by a lever, of a crane for example, to the area of casting the wall. When the frame is in place (at the casting area there is steel constructive reinforcement), a second frame is located at the distal/opposite side beyond the reinforcement facing the interior of the construction. Casting fresh concrete between the two frames “submerges” the erect, vertically lifted part of the anchors in the fresh concrete. After finishing, the anchors fix the cladding elements to the wall and generate a stress-strain characteristic that enables the wall to carry the load of the cladding elements under varying conditions.
In still another particular embodiment, a third method is provided for onsite attachment of the cladding elements to a construction wall with “wet” cement cover on an existing construction wall as follows:
The exposed vertically oriented parts of the anchors are “submerged” (“sunken”) in the mortar, and after finishing hold the cladding elements fixed to the wall.
In general, the weight of the cladding elements per one square meter is about 75 kg. The number of anchors per meter is between 20 and 40 per one square meter. The strength of pulling a single anchor (in lab tests) is found to be between 140 and 250 kg.
No tearing, rupture or breaking was found in strength tests done to the anchors. These strength levels are found sufficient according to planning and regulation demands with significantly large margins.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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267153 | Jun 2019 | IL | national |