Building reservoirs for the community

Revolutionizing Construction: Carmix Concrete Solutions

sales@carmixsa.co.za (Nikita Partridge) — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 06:49:59 GMT

Revolutionizing Construction

In the ever-evolving world of construction, innovative solutions play a pivotal role in enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and ensuring sustainable practices. Carmix, a leading player in the construction industry, has been at the forefront of introducing groundbreaking concrete solutions that have redefined the way we approach building projects. This article explores the key features and benefits of Carmix concrete solutions and how they are making a significant impact on construction practices globally.

Self-Loading Concrete Mixers:

Carmix is renowned for its innovative self-loading concrete mixers, a game-changer in the construction sector. These mixers are designed to efficiently produce and transport concrete on-site, eliminating the need for additional equipment and manpower. The self-loading feature empowers construction crews to manage the entire concrete production process with a single machine, enhancing productivity and reducing dependency on external suppliers.

On-Demand Concrete Production:

One of the standout features of Carmix concrete solutions is their ability to provide on-demand concrete production at the construction site. This eliminates the logistical challenges associated with transporting pre-mixed concrete from centralized batching plants. With Carmix, construction projects can benefit from flexibility in scheduling, ensuring a continuous and efficient workflow.

Cost-Efficiency and Resource Optimization:

Carmix concrete solutions contribute significantly to cost efficiency in construction projects. The on-site production of concrete reduces transportation costs, wastage, and the need for excess inventory. Additionally, the self-loading mixers optimize resource utilization by allowing precise control over the amount of concrete required for each task, minimizing excess and unused material.

Environmental Sustainability:

As sustainability becomes a focal point in construction practices, Carmix is dedicated to reducing the environmental impact of concrete production. By enabling on-site production, Carmix reduces the carbon footprint associated with transporting concrete over long distances. The company is also committed to developing eco-friendly concrete mixes that incorporate recycled materials without compromising on quality and durability.

Versatility and Adaptability:

Carmix concrete solutions are known for their versatility and adaptability to various construction scenarios. Whether it's a remote construction site with limited infrastructure or a large-scale urban project, Carmix self-loading mixers can navigate different terrains and deliver consistent and high-quality concrete, ensuring construction projects stay on schedule.

Technology Integration:

Carmix embraces technological advancements to enhance the user experience and optimize performance. Integrated control systems, GPS tracking, and telematics enable operators to monitor and manage the concrete production process efficiently. This level of control not only ensures the quality of the concrete but also contributes to the overall safety and reliability of construction operations.

So Why use Carmix?

Carmix concrete solutions have undoubtedly revolutionized the construction industry by providing a comprehensive and efficient approach to concrete production. The integration of self-loading mixers, on-demand production, cost-efficiency, sustainability, versatility, and advanced technology positions Carmix as a key player in shaping the future of construction practices. As the industry continues to evolve, Carmix remains dedicated to driving innovation and empowering construction professionals to build a sustainable and resilient future.

Big 5 Construct Southern Africa Expo 2023

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 09:41:22 GMT

Big 5 Construct Southern Africa

After not exhibiting for 4 years, we came back with a bang showcasing our Carmix 45FX! Carmix SA recently exhibited at the Big 5 Construct Southern Africa Expo hosted at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

We were thrilled to have had the African sales and export manager Simone Basceili from Italy attend the show. His presence was very well received, showing customers/potential customers that the support from start to finish to aftersales support is strong and reliable.

We had a lot of interest as the concept of a mobile self-loading concrete mixer was very appealing or new to people as an alternative to Readymix. Carmix SA doesn’t only focus on sales we offer rentals as well, allowing construction companies to save time and money.

CARMIX BUILDS A CHICKEN FEED MILL

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 11:11:46 GMT

CARMIX BUILDS A CHICKEN FEED

Carmix recently help build a Poultry feed mill at a well-known chicken farm in Lichtenburg.
There were some challenges faced, one of the biggest was contending with the rainy season that had just started in Lichtenburg competing with deadlines we had to start working longer shifts. Some of the things that helped us were:

Adjusting the mix design to one that work to our advantage with all the rain.
The Carmix was built for any types of terrain.
The cabin on the 3.5TT is closed and equipped with Clima (air conditioner and heater) which kept the operator comfortable and focused allowing him to discharge accurately.
Having well trained and professional operators who have done all the necessary training on how to operate the Carmix.

Our Carmix 3.5TT did not disappoint, in the 3 months we were on site we mixed about 1000m3 of concrete, our biggest pour was 200m3 in 24 hours. Site set up and having your aggregates close is important for maximum productivity, on this site they had a 15 000kg cement Silo and two 10 000 litre water tanks only 400 meters from the discharge site which did speed up productivity to get the more loads done within the day.
Despite having to deal with wet muddy conditions the Carmix 3.5TT pushed through every challenge thrown at it.

You can always count on the Carmix to get the job done

Kopanong Hospital

Thu, 10 Dec 2020 12:02:50 GMT

Carmix ft. the trailer pump 15 - the ultimate concrete mixing and pumping solution

Carmix recently did a project with the Carmix 3500TC and the Carmix Trailer pump 15, supplying the ultimate solution for mixing and pumping a light-weight concrete mixture designed by Sanjo Fabtech Sterling.

This project was located at the Kopanong Hospital in Vereeniging, constructing 6 brand new ICU wards capable of accommodating 156 patients, and 4 high-care wards that will be able to accommodate 144 patients.

Sanjo Fabtech Sterling managed to pump 650 squares of walling per day using the Carmix trailer pump 15, saving a total of 43% in construction time compared to laying brick walls.

With the help of the Carmix 3500TC, they managed to mix a daily average of 78 – 90 cubes of light-weight concrete with their best day turning at 26 loads (91m3) mixed in a 24-hour shift.

Taking time into consideration when it comes to moving the pump to a different wall every 5th or 6th load, the Carmix could have achieved these 26 loads in a 16-hour shift.

This light-weight concrete forms part of the Alternative Building Technology (ABT).

Due to zero brick walls, the time ratio equals to 8:1 – this means in the time it takes to construct 8 walls using ABT, one would have only been able to build 1 brick wall of the same size.

Building water reservoirs for the community - EC

Fri, 08 May 2020 12:41:07 GMT

Building water reservoirs for the community - EC

On a recent visit to Mthatha in the Eastern Cape we had the opportunity to give back to the community. After supplying a loyal contractor with two Carmix units, he managed to supply concrete for the construction of 4 new reservoirs which would supply safe, clean drinking water to the very rural parts of Mthatha – but it didn’t stop there!

As these jobsites were in varying landscapes throughout the Eastern Cape, all 4 reservoirs, as well as bases of the cleaning and filtering tanks were cast by using this incredibly versatile concrete mixer. With aggregates placed only 50m from the discharge site, what was planned to be a 10 day pour was completed in 5 days. The client was able to cast much quicker than anticipated! This was achieved by using two Carmix units of 3.5 cube capacity each, allowing one unit to cast bases for a reservoir, while the other poured thin blinding and a no-fines mixture at the next site.

Projects such as these require a variety of cementitious materials, namely; Blinding, no-fines mixes, 25-35mpa mixes and mixes containing admixtures (waterproofing agent). And in different proportions and quantities. By batching on site the client could easily change from one mix to the other in the desired quantity due to the concrete mate computer system inside the Carmix. The concrete mate computer has the ability to have 30 different mix designs pre-programmed allowing you to switch between mixes by the touch of a button.

Access once the ring beam is cast becomes limited but due to careful planning and mapping of designated quadrants, the Carmix was able to discharge the desired mix inside the ring beam. The ring beam for this particular 1ML (mega litre) reservoir used a total of 58m3 of concrete. Being called a beam, the entire ring needs to be cast with one continuous pour. Because the concrete needs to be watertight, no cold joints are permitted. Cold joints could cause a crack or leak that gets bigger with time, or causing the whole beam to break down and casting from scratch.

Seeing that this reservoir will hold a massive 1000 tonnes of water (1 000 000L / 1 mega litre) it needs to be strong enough to withstand this force for many years to come. The concrete used for this project is a special watertight concrete and uses an admixture (CWA10) which serves as a waterproofing agent to prevent leakages and adds to the overall strength of the concrete.

Jobsite Pictures

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 13:35:46 GMT

CArmix Bagger and 3500TC self loading concrete mixer

Carmix supplies complete concrete solution for warehouse

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 13:01:57 GMT

Concrete is often the choice of flooring when constructing warehouses, sheds and logistical buildings, varying in design and construction depending on the load bearing capacity required.

Laying of the concrete is easy, but mobility and access for equipment used to achieve this is more often than not limited. Especially once the outer shell of these buildings has been erected.

With Carmix 4x4 self-loading concrete mixers we are able to maneuver around even the smallest of spaces using one of the three steering modes.

The Carmix range of mixers has the following modes available:

• All Wheel steering

• Front Wheel steering

• Crab steering

The client therefore has no need to use a concrete pump for concrete placing even in the pits and foundations that were obstructed by structures.

By using 2 x 3500TC (3.5m3) mixers the client managed to have constant delivery of fresh, quality concrete for a complete floor. enhancing not only the strength of the floor but also the aesthetics of the finished product.

By having full control over the concrete supply the client could ensure seamless and full utilization of all subcontractors around the concrete work namely; mixing, placement and vibrating and floating.

Powerlines and substations transferring power

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 13:37:57 GMT

Powerlines spanning hundreds of Kilometres, passing through baron untouched land, traversing gorges and breaching rivers and dams, all to transfer much needed power. These lines go on for as far as the eye can see however, they need to be constructed and maintained over their full span.

With many different foundation solutions, typical base excavation, micro piles, anchors and even large piles, all these solutions require different amounts of cementations material often in small amounts, every few hundred meters for hundreds of kilometres. Mobility and establishment costs are a contractor’s main challenges on these lines. However, we have seen success in the use of Carmix mobile batching units utilized along the full length of the power line, with strategic batching sites setup along the line.

As renewable IPP’s come online this power needs to be transported into the grid along with additional power the cables need to be upgraded and improved. The construction of new substations needs to take shape and the complete system of power transmission formulated.

Quality of concrete on these projects is of top priority as they are often government projects, our on-board Concrete mate batching system has been widely accepted on all such sights due to its accuracy of weighing all aggregate including the water. With 4 load cells evenly distributed under the drum only the aggregates that enter the drum are weighed and scaled accordingly. A certified receipt is printed after each batch and a USB download is also available to ensure all engineers requirements are met.

Distance is no lengthy thought for Carmix and shouldn’t be for a contractor.

Wind and PV farms begin with Carmix

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 13:33:24 GMT

With huge emphasis on renewable energy in Southern Africa, due to the current power issues related to Eskom, the focus has turned to Wind and Photovoltaic farms. These farms have typically been in the outer areas of the country, in large open land areas. However, results show that across South Africa, solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind resources are good enough to be able to produce globally competitive solar and wind power and that over 80% of the land mass has enough wind potential to achieve a 30% average annual load factor. The load factor is a measure for the average utilisation of wind turbines. In countries like Spain and Germany, which are known for their good wind resources, actual average load factors of the entire wind fleets are 25 – 27% and 20 – 23%, respectively. The ‘good wind’ resource is not restricted to the Cape area, as was previously thought, and therefore, wind farms can be established almost everywhere in South Africa.

With PV and wind farms being established in all regions and areas of the country the demand for resources has had to be mobile and efficient. As often these projects are not near established towns. With the Carmix mixers and dumpers being extremely mobile and at the same time rugged they have proven a vital key in the initial setup and construction phases of such farms. Such was the case for a client on the Garob wind Farm project in the Northerncape which is expected to generate about 573 GWh/y from 46 turbines once it becomes fully operational in the first half of 2021.

2 Carmix 3500TC units fitted with the unique Concrete mate weigh batching system, along with a 26m3 horizontal Carsilo were established on site to “break ground”. The initial part of the project is often the slowest as not much is established on site however with the Carmix concrete solution placed on site production was blown out of the water. The system was producing on average 130m3 of concrete per day for various applications and locations. Be it footings, bases, roads, culverts or even fence posts the Carmix system made easy work and ensured the project got off ahead of schedule.

As the rollout of Wind and PV projects continues, the location and layout of the land available is going to become more and more challenging. Contractors will have to adapt construction and material techniques to these changes with on site batching becoming more desirable and, in some instances, the only option.

A one of a kind weighing system in the world

Tue, 14 Jan 2020 13:29:46 GMT

Concrete-Mate is the revolution of the concrete production industry. Thanks to this new device, the mix can be weighed directly inside the drum. Unlike many similar systems present on the market and which use a hydraulic system built on the bucket, the one installed on the new Carmix 3500 TC ensures extremely reliable data on the quality of the concrete. This device is added to the essential element that has always been inspired by Carmix's philosophy: the self-loading cement mixer was born to offer a machine that can prepare concrete on site. Less mechanical stress, due to the mixing and transportation, thus results in a decreased need for additives. The result? An excellent quality product ready to be used on any job site, when you require and how you need it.

The quality is confirmed by the printing of a real-time receipt inside the cabin, detailing: mixing times, quantities scheduled to load, quantities of each aggregate loaded and variances. The computer also has a wireless and USB function allowing the data to be transferred to a site managers laptop miles away from the job site. All to ensure the quality of the mix is upheld and production targets are met.

For those contractors that want to be at the forefront of technology, Carmix has the PROMIX – probe. This is a state of the art digital device that relays REAL-TIME info to the operator and office of Slump, Temperature, moisture, rotational speed and readiness of concrete inside the drum. This is done by means of a stainless-steel probe inside the drum submitting data via Bluetooth to the cabin every second

CARMIX paves the way forward

Tue, 14 Jan 2020 13:23:08 GMT

Recently 1 Carmix 3500TC unit was in action in supplying all the concrete for an 18km stretch of road in Pongola, KZN. The upgrades of the road included new culverts, V-drains and piping infrastructure to be laid over the 18km stretch. Due to the vast distance, the mobility of the Carmix 3500TC proved highly beneficial, allowing for 2km of V drains to be complete each day.

The contractor set up various stockpiles of aggregates along the road allowing a fast turn around time from mixing to discharge. Another huge advantage is the 300deg slewing of the drum allowing the unit to keep driving straight while discharging to the side. I deal for long narrow pours and to ensure high productivity levels.

25MPA concrete was produced on-site using the on-board load cell system of the Carmix unit, all aggregates are weighed inside the drum including water. Batch receipts for each batch are printed in the cabin and presented to the engineer to monitor quality.

Now with rental options available contractors have the option to utilize units for short periods of time, in and out and complete their works. This road took just under 2 weeks to complete all the concrete works. Allowing the contractor to minimise costs and focus on the next project.

African Construction and Totally Concrete Exhibition 2018.

Mon, 02 Jul 2018 07:45:50 GMT

During this year at the annual African Construction and Totally Concrete Exhibition hosted at Gallagher Convention Centre, Carmix South Africa not only presented the all new Carmix 3500TC, but also had the 38m3 CarSilo which is a horizontal cement silo to store your cement on site in bulk quantities.

Our very own Italian exports manager, Mr. Andrea Bonomi also delivered a very interesting speech on the latest technologies related to mobile batchin

With the African Construction and Totally Concrete Expo creating a huge awareness in the civil market, the attendance was, as always, outstanding! We had a lot of interesting discussions with potential and existing clients from all over South Africa.

Due to the fact that Carmix don’t only focus on sales, but give our clients the option to hire our units, we have managed to make a great impact in the construction industry.

We are looking forward to see you at this years’ Cape Construction Expo happening on the 12th and 13th of September 2018 at Sun Parks, Grand West, CAPE TOWN.

CARMIX self-loading mobile mixers making community development possible in all locations.

Fri, 27 Apr 2018 08:15:56 GMT

Africa’s most rugged and reliable self-loading mobile concrete mixer, completed 3, community centre floor slabs (35m3 each) and 52 RDP house foundations of 13m3 each. On the deeply saturated mud grounds of the Tshikondeni mine close to Pafuri, the Northern gate of the Kruger National Park, the Carmix 3.5TT unit went about its business with no issues due to its 4x4 drive and active 4-wheel steering. Ensuring that each community centre floor slab was completed in the desired time to allow for the floating crew to take over.

With the closest batch plant over 100km away, on-site mixing was the answer. With the Carmix unique load cell weigh batching system ensuring accuracy and quality of concrete was right on point the customer had found the ideal solution. The unit is equipped with 4 load cells placed evenly under the drum in order to weigh each and every material, water included. The easy to use and large in cabin computer screen allows for 99 different mix designs and 24 different types of materials to be stored and programmed. The in-cab printer will ensure a batch receipt for each batch is recorded to ensure strict quality control is maintained on the job site.

With the jobsite at Tshikondeni being literally out in the bushes, reliability for any piece of equipment is vital. Carmix units are designed with this in mind by being as simple as possible without any sacrifice on quality and technical advances.

As demands on jobsites are increasing and standing time an everyday occurrence, having full control of your supply is becoming more apparent to contractors. Not only control of the supply but of quality and costs.

CARSILO'S to optimise concrete production on site

Fri, 02 Feb 2018 08:24:52 GMT

Horizontal Carsilos produced in 15m3, 28m3 and 38m3 to allow any jobsite to run efficiently and controlled.

Carsilos are fitted with the following in order to ensure optimization and hassle-free cement handling:

Electronic load cell weighing system, control display and process management. Allowing you to know at all times the amount of cement in the Silo.
Main frame designed with 6 spider legs, allowing a truck to easily load and offload the silo without the need of any lifting equipment.
Vibration system to facilitate the flow of cement. Conveyor and discharge screw directly at the required height, with possibility of adjustment.
Remote control allowing the start and stopping of discharge from the driver of the Carmix unit.

Advantages of Horizontal cement silos:

Cost minimizing and once off ordering - Due to the huge storage capacity of large horizontal cement silos, it has the advantages of economies of scale, and significantly reduces the cost of cement by allowing customers to purchase in bulk once off.
Transportation, loading and offloading - Due to the design a standard flat bed truck can reverse under the silo, load, transport in-Gauge and then off load the silo on site. All without a crane or lifting equipment.
Wastage and loss - Due to the specialized dust filter cement is not lost via cement dust expulsion. Theft and control of the cement is all controlled due to the cement being securely stored.
Increased efficiency and time savings – Less personnel needed for offloading and loading cement all mechanically handled and controlled.
Homogeneous cement – all cement untampered and homogenous results achieved without abnormal unwanted dirt.
Safety of personnel handling cement – No personnel required to directly handle cement and thus no health and safety issues.

Carmix South Africa recently supplied a Carmix ONE to a new customer in Sasolburg

Tue, 14 Feb 2017 11:05:36 GMT

On a beautiful, small riverside Conference and Wedding venue right on the banks on the Vaal river, the Carmix one turns out to be the perfect candidate for the proposed job.

The new owner of the Carmix One not only plans to upgrade a 3km gravel road to a concrete road, but also batching concrete for floor slabs, paving and general concrete jobs.

Here the Carmix can be seen loading aggregate from inside an open warehouse, making it the ideal machine for the job. With its small size, it proves to manoeuvre into the trickiest of spaces making the loading and unloading process easy and effective.

The Carmix South Africa team wish the team in Sasolburg a successful project at Duckpoint using the Carmix One.

Carmix 3.5TT Delivered to the World's Largest Open Pit Diamond Mine

Mon, 10 Oct 2016 11:11:28 GMT

Carmix South Africa supplied a Carmix 3.5TT to Wepex Construction operating on the Orapa Diamond Mine, Botswana.

The Orapa Diamond Mine, located in central Botswana 240km west of Francistown, is the worlds’ largest open pit diamond mine producing an average of 12 million carats of diamonds per year. The mine currently operates at a depth of 240m, however it is predicted to reach 450m within the next 10 years. In order to reach such depths specific methods must be implemented to support the pit walls and prevent deadly landslides or rockfalls, which is where Wepex is functioning.

Wepex is a geotechnical contractor specialising in rockfall mitigation, soil and rock stabilization, piling, specialised grouting and trenchless crossing. Wepex is using the Carmix to produce 35mpa shotcrete that will support the walls of the pit in conjunction with lateral support provided by self-drilling anchors. This highly specialised application requires good quality shotcrete to be produced with consistent slump and strength.

The 5 day commissioning was done on site in Botswana by two Carmix South Africa representatives who trained a number of Wepex staff, including operators and mechanics, in the operation and maintenance associated with the Carmix 3.5TT . During training particular attention was payed to the Carmix Winscale system which is essential to ensuring the consistent quality of shotcrete is met.

The Carmix South Africa team wish Wepex a successful project at Orapa using the Carmix 3.5TT .

Empyreal Construction purchase a Carmix 3.5TT

Tue, 26 Jul 2016 22:00:00 GMT

Empyreal Construction purchase a Carmix 3.5TT for road construction in KZN.

Empyreal Construction (Pty) Ltd is a multi-disciplinary civil engineering construction company, based in Pretoria. Empyreal have worked in a range of technical fields and are registered with the Construction Industry Development Board as a contractor with the ability to perform work within the 8CE, 6GB scope.

Empyreal contacted Carmix South Africa looking to purchase a self-loading concrete mixer after renting a Carmix 3.5TT unit for the past few months and realising how effective Carmix units are. After much discussion Empyreal decided to purchase a Carmix 3.5TT as it is the best unit to suit their multi-disciplinary operations.

The Carmix South Africa team travelled to Pongola, Kwa-Zulu Natal to commission the unit. An operator was trained in the operation of the Carmix and Winscale systems while the on-site mechanic was informed on the maintenance and service procedures.

Empyreal Construction is currently working on two sections of road. The Carmix unit is being used to produce concrete for the road curbs, gutters and storm water drains. Additionally the Carmix 3.5TT will be used to complete a bridge across a small river.

As expected when working on roads, the jobsite is spread over a number of kilometres. Therefore the discharging points are a fair distance away from the batching area. Additionally the rolling hills of Kwa-Zulu Natal can be a tough obstacle for a fully loaded concrete mixer. However the Carmix 3.5TT, with a Perkins Turbo Diesel Engine produces 111 HP allowing it to climb the hills with ease and is able to deliver concrete along the entire section of road.

Overall it was a successful Carmix delivery and commissioning, the Carmix South Africa team looks forward to a long and productive relationship with Empyreal Construction.

Carmix 3.5TT in Onseepkans, Northern Cape

Sun, 17 Jul 2016 22:00:00 GMT

The C armix South Africa team recently completed a floor slab for the Department of Agriculture in Onseepkans, Northern Cape.

Onseepkans is a small town situated on the Orange River and acts as a border post between South Africa and Namibia. The region is a highly productive grape farming area and is only accessible by 50km of dirt road, which removes ready mix concrete as a viable option for concrete supply.

The land redistribution movement in South Africa has resulted in the community of Onseepkans being designated 40 hectares of land suitable for the production of table grapes and raisins. The Carmix 3.5TT produced 25mpa concrete for the storage facility where the grapes produced will be stored before delivery.

Using the Carmix 3.5TT the 70m3 floor slab took 4 days to complete as concrete batching was stopped at 2pm to allow time for floating. On the fourth and final day the project was halted abruptly when the Carmix threw a fan-belt, stopping production. In the isolated area around Onseepkans fan-belt are few and far between and it was feared that the Carmix would be out of operation indefinitely. However, it may have been luck or it may have been the fact that Carmix 3.5TT has a Perkins engine where parts are highly available, but we managed to find a replacement and complete the job. This shows the benefit of having an engine where spares are readily available even in the most isolated areas.

Carmix once again proving that they are the number one option for concrete production in rural and isolated areas.

Carmix 3.5TT in Prieska, Northern Cape

Thu, 23 Jun 2016 22:00:00 GMT

The Carmix South Africa team produced 120m³ of 30mpa concrete for a hayloft floor slab.

The floor slab was on the Spitskop Farm, just outside Prieska in the Northern Cape and will be used to store the farmers’ machinery and hay.

This project was an intricate operation with the foreman controlling the volume and timing of concrete production to best suite his schedule of workforce to allow enough time for floating and finishing. This allowed the versatility of Carmix units to be displayed. On demand the Carmix operator could produce full or partial batches to full each shutter box. With such precise control of the volume and quality of concrete the foreman was able to accurately plan his production schedule without the worry of standing time and wastage associated with ready mix concrete.

An average of 20m³ of concrete was produced each day and the 120m³ floor slab was complete in 5 working days.