A concrete machine, specifically a concrete mixing truck, works by using a rotating drum with internal spiral blades to mix and transport concrete.
Here's a breakdown of how it functions:
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The Drum: The core of the machine is a large, rotating drum. This drum is typically mounted on a truck chassis for transportation.
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Spiral Blades: Inside the drum are spiral blades that run along the inner walls. These blades are crucial for the mixing process.
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Charging: When loading (or "charging") the mixer, the drum rotates in one direction. This rotation pushes the concrete ingredients deeper into the drum, effectively mixing them. The drum rotates in this direction during transportation to prevent segregation of the materials.
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Mixing: As the drum rotates during charging and transit, the spiral blades continuously lift and fold the concrete mix, ensuring a homogeneous blend of cement, aggregates (sand, gravel), water, and admixtures (if used).
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Discharging: To unload (or "discharge") the concrete, the drum's rotational direction is reversed. The spiral blades then act as an Archimedes screw, pushing the mixed concrete out of the drum and into a chute. The chute directs the concrete to the desired location.
In Summary:
The concrete mixing truck relies on a rotating drum equipped with spiral blades. The blades' design allows for efficient mixing and controlled discharge of the concrete by changing the direction of the drum's rotation. This design prevents the concrete from hardening during transport and delivers a consistent mix to the construction site.