Concrete Quality in Focus: Innovative Monitoring in Truck Mixer Drums
New measuring system from Franz Ludwig GmbH optimizes concrete quality control directly in the truck mixer drum to increase precision and efficiency on the construction site.
The quality of concrete is crucial for construction projects. Franz Ludwig GmbH, with almost half a century of experience in moisture measurement of bulk materials, has developed an innovative measuring system for truck mixer drums: the FL-Mobimic-Inspector. This system aims to precisely monitor concrete quality and thus minimize fluctuations, for example in water content, which can significantly affect concrete properties. It generates process-relevant data directly in the drum of the concrete truck mixer to ensure the high performance of concrete produced in precast or ready-mix concrete plants.
Comprehensive Data for Optimal Concrete Consistency
The FL-Mobimic-Inspector collects a variety of parameters relevant to concrete quality, including water content (optionally as w/c ratio or in l/m³), consistency, slump, temperature, drum rotation direction and speed, drum filling level, and even the amount of wash water in an empty mixing drum. Central positioning of the measuring unit in the middle of the mixing drum ensures stable signal curves and precise measurement results. This enables reliable acquisition of all relevant data, rapid corrections in the mixing plant, and seamless documentation of the entire concrete production process.
Innovation and Sensor Technology for Precise Measurements
The development of the FL-Mobimic-Inspector required overcoming technological challenges such as reliable wireless data transmission and the integration of electronic components and sensors. The measuring unit, which is mounted inside the inspection cover of the truck mixer drum, contains several sensors: a microwave sensor for moisture measurement, strain gauges for detecting forces on the measuring rod, an acceleration sensor for drum rotation direction and speed, and a temperature sensor. Through the intelligent interconnection of these sensors and special software algorithms, highly accurate measurement results can be achieved.
Benefits for Quality Assurance and Dispute Avoidance
The collected mixing parameters are wirelessly transmitted to a tracking box and can be sent in real-time to a server. This allows the concrete plant to be informed early about deviations in concrete composition and to make quick corrections, such as adjusting water or admixture additions as needed. A significant advantage of the system is that it provides more representative measurement results for the entire batch than conventional sampling methods. This minimizes potential disputes regarding non-compliance with guaranteed concrete properties, as concrete quality is continuously monitored and documented from the plant to the construction site
