Cement mixers have an integral role in construction projects, serving as an important tool in ensuring the effective flow of tasks. As one of the most used man-made resources, cement is essential in the production of concrete, which forms the foundation of roads, bridges, buildings, and other important mad made infrastructure. The durability and versatility of cement allows it to be used in both large and small construction projects, as well as certain creative projects.

 

With the urbanisation and development of society, there lies a consistent demand for cement as a resource. At BS Powers, we understand the importance of reliable, high-quality mixers, to ensure the efficient delivery of cement to construction projects. We offer an array of cement mixers with different capacitates and features, to simply ensure the needs of contractors are met.

 

We aim to help ensure that every project benefits from the use of robust, efficient cement mixing tools.

 

 

What Is Cement?

 

The use of cement is vital for modern infrastructure within our urban and rural cities and towns. As a global resource, cement is one of the most used man-made materials in the world. Modern society simply would not be able to function without cement. It is a crucial component in the production of concrete, acting as the “glue” in binding the primary ingredients: sand and aggregates.

 

Cement is a refined, soft powder which hardens upon contact with water. It is made from limestone and clay, which are essentially charred and ground up into a fine powder. The process generally begins with limestone and clay extraction, followed by the crushing and mixing with iron and gypsum, and this product is heated in a kiln. The result is clinker, which is then, finally ground up into a fine powder.

 

Cement is available as different types, to name a few: Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC), blast furnace slag cement, and fast-setting cement. Each one of these cement types are all individually suited for specific applications.

 

The Early Genesis Of Cement

 

The genesis of cement begins in early Egypt, where cement was used to stabilise the pyramids. At this time, cement was gypsum based and was later revolutionised by the Romans, who then used pozzolana to create water-resistant. The Romans later applied this to famous structures like the Colosseum and Pantheon.

 

During the middle ages, cement usage dramatically declined, as there was a high demand and lack of new Roman engineering techniques. The role of cement slowly diminished in society. At this time, concrete was mainly used, as lime mortar lacked the structural integrity to hold up larger structures. The application of cement during this time was very expensive and it did not make sense in the economical context.

 

During the industrial revolution, history speaks of massive developments in the application of cement and concrete. This was around the time when Joseph Aspdin patented Portland cement, which is one of the most common types of cement used today. Aspdin’s innovation was arguably the start to the revolution and its application as seen in today’s world.

 

Portland cement dramatically expanded in England and the United States and this is where cement started to be applied more commonly in reinforced concrete structures, such as skyscrapers. The domino-like effect of industrialisation led to cement being used for small sculptures, bridges, and in large-scale developments, such as the subway and sewage systems. By the end of the 19th century, the use of concrete and cement became mainstream within the construction industry.

 

Cement started to become an absolute necessity in modern infrastructure, and further advancements, such as precast and post-tensioned concrete, became widely applicable. Cement production began operating at a global scale, to try meet the demands of global infrastructure needs, such as bridges, roads, and dams.

 

There now exists a demand in changing the way we look at large-scale cement production, to achieve an allied perspective on sustainability and global conservation. This can be achieved by using alternative materials and technologies to help reduce the strain cement production has on the environment.

 

 

How Is Cement Made?

 

The cement making process is quite extensive and follow several steps:

 

Mining Of Materials: Raw materials, such as lime and clay, are mined and extracted. These raw materials are extracted using explosives which have a negligible impact on the environment, due to modern localised explosive technology. Quarrying exists as means to efficiently use intended resources, in support of a circular economy.

 

Crushing: The extracted quarry-stone is crushed into little chunks, resulting in pieces that are roughly the size of baseball. Lab analyses should be conducted to ensure consistent quality and efficiency of the quarry-stone.

 

Grinding, Mixing, And Blending: Crushed rocks are then finely ground up and mixed with other materials, like clay, sand, and iron ore. The recycled by-products, such as slag and ash, are also included to supplement the mixture.

 

Heating and Kiln Firing: The homogenous mixture is then heated with an aim to initiate chemical reactions. The chemical bonds of the initial raw materials are broken down and recombined with other, new materials. The product formed from this process is called clinker.

 

Clinker Grinding: Once the clinker has cooled, it is then found in a ball mill with gypsum or other ingredients, to then form fine cement.

 

Ready For Application: The fine cement is now ready to be applied to various industrial contexts.

 

Why Cement?

 

Cement is a key ingredient in the modern construction processes. Cement provides a lot of buildings with structural integrity, through its applicability to concrete. Moreover, cement is highly versatile and is used, dually, within the construction and creative industries. Cement is highly cost-effective, providing prospective projects the economic advantage for strong, sound materials.

 

Today, we can see cement applied to a variety of contexts. Cement helps improve the overall load-capacity and durability of high-rise buildings – shortening overall construction time and enhancing efficiency. Cement is also crack-resistant and is impermeable, making it a smart choice for building city bridges and tunnels.

 

On the other hand, cement and concrete are also commonly used in the creative industry, spanning across sculpture making and decorative outdoor murals. Concrete sculptures can withstand harsh weather conditions, speaking for the practicality and sound structure concrete and cement provide.

 

 

Different Types Of Cement Mixers

 

The cement mixer comes in an array of types, to meet the respective demands of the project. As previously mentioned, these machines are designed to mix cement, aggregates, and water to produce concrete.

 

Batch mixers produce concrete in specific quantities, making them perfect for medium-sized projects. The concrete mix is made, on-site, in discrete batches, allowing for precise control over the mixture. Batch mixers come in two different types: drum mixers, and pan-type mixers.

 

Drum Mixers

 

Drum mixers have a drum which tilts to discharge concrete. These mixers are known for their fast-paced discharges, making these mixers perfect for larger projects where a large concrete volume is required. Notably, these particular machines pose a special disadvantage: concrete can often be found lingering at the bottom of the drum. This can be easily mitigated by pre-mixing a small amount of cement mortar at the beginning of your batch making process.

 

Non-tilting drum mixers do not tilt, but use an inclined chute to discharge the cement-mix. These are mainly used in small projects and are much less efficient at producing large amounts of rapid outputs.

 

Reverse drum mixers rotate the drum in both directions for mixing and discharging. Ultimately, this function is highly efficient as it combines the process of input and output in one, resulting in a highly efficient construction process.

 

Pan-Type Mixers

 

The second category, pan-type mixers, consist of a circular pan with star-shaped blades that work in mixing the concrete. Pan mixers are known for their efficiency and ability to produce a mixture that is very homogenous. These mixers are more specifically of interest to smaller construction projects, as they have a lower capacity compared to drum mixers

 

Mixers At BS Powers

 

At BS Powers, we have a range of cement mixers designed to meet the needs of any construction project. Our mobile drum mixers offer great flexibility and efficiency, improving the overall quality and productivity of a construction project. BS Powers offers three standard sizes:

 

The 360 L Cement Mixer

 

As ideal for those managing medium-sized projects. In this size, BS Powers has two engine options – Baumax RX2000 and Honda GP160. These mixers both provide reliable and efficient solutions to those wanting to maximise their efficiency and create projects which are structurally sound.

 

Both of these models feature an overall drum capacity of 360L – 260L unmixed and 200L mixed. These powered mixers operate at a speed of 25 RPM, with an output of 5m3 per hour and a mix cycle of 2.5 minutes. These machines are equipped with a strong chassis crafted from channel iron and folded metal, they also come with semi-solid wheels which are towable at high speeds.

 

The 400 L Cement Mixer

 

models cater to larger scale projects, offering the individual a greater capacity for a cement-mix. Both the Baumax RX200 and Honda GP160 engine variants of this capacity-model offer 320L mixed and 220L mixed capacities. These mixers both operate at 25 RPM and feature a drum thickness of 3mm.

 

Moreover, these powered mixers have a mix cycle of 2.5 minutes, with a 1.1m loading height and 0.6m discharge height. Both of these machines have a track width of 0.9m, and 1.2m for towing, weighing in at 215 kg. Both these models also come with high-speed towable wheels.

 

Large 500 L Cement Mixer

 

The superior volume boasts efficiency and durability. Our 500L mixers are both fitted with either a Baumax RX200 engine or Honda GX160LX engine. Both these cement mixers offer a capacity of 420L unmixed and 280L mixed and operate with a rotation speed of 24RPM. The drums’ thickness is around 3mm, with the Baumax model weighing in at 270kg, while the lighter Honda counterpart weighing in at 250kg. Equipped with solid rubber wheels fitted with bearings, these mixers are designed for all your heavy-duty construction needs.

 

Final Words

 

BS Powers’ range of cement mixers highlight our company’s commitment to supporting the construction industry. Our mixers are designed to meet the demands of all projects, big or small, as we offer a range of sizes to ensure your needs are met. With powerful engines from Baumax and Honda, our machines are built for prime performance.

 

BS Powers offer top-tier solutions that are ideal for contractors and rental companies alike. The consistent quality of our cement mixers make them perfect for any project that demands their unmet performance. At BS Power, we are proud to provide you the tools that help drive your construction projects forward.