Machines for manufacturing high-quality prefabricated concrete products for sewage and wastewater systems are now available from a leading local manufacturer.

Pan Mixers South Africa (PMSA) has a well-established affiliation with BFS GmbH which allows it to deliver these best in class machines.

Based in Blaubeuren in Southern Germany, BFS GmbH has established itself as a technology leader for concrete pipe and manhole production, as well as for other prefabricated concrete products utilised for civil engineering infrastructure.

“We are perceived globally as a technology leader, and can provide machines for a range of customer options, from basic start-up to full automation,” comments Volker Nusser, area sales manager at BFS.

The total package

Quintin Booysen, sales and marketing manager at PMSA, says the German manufacturer is one of various international brands represented by PMSA, as part of its ‘total package’ concrete solutions. BFS exhibited its products and solutions on the PMSA stand at Bauma Conexpo Africa 2015.

The German manufacturer has enjoyed a close working relationship with its local counterpart for six years to date. “We were fortunate in being able to place our first machine in South Africa through PMSA, and since then we have been partners,” comments Nusser.

BFS’s Atlantic range provides for efficient manhole and pipe production, with the main focus on quality and extremely short production cycles. Nusser points out that these are critical criteria in the African market, where there is a backlog of essential infrastructure services.

The Atlantic range caters for sizes from DN 400 mm to DN 2 000 mm manhole riser or cone production up to DN 2000 mm with vibrated in-step elements.

Increasing automation key to innovation

Compaction is by central vibrator with frequency control and hydraulic clamping. Short changeover times guarantee optimum machine utilisation, while a program-controlled, two-cart system allows for various different demoulding methods.

“During the production of Atlantic manhole rings and tapers, step elements can be inserted manually, semi-automatically or automatically into the mould unit.

“This can also be done in conjunction with, and at the same time as, inserting the steel reinforcement hoops. We have a patent on this. Reinforcement and step elements such as cast iron or rungs are then automatically cast-in-place during compaction,” elaborates Nusser.

Nusser says increasing automation remains a key focus of continued innovation at BFS. “Our feeling is that while there has been a bit of a slowdown in the infrastructure sector, Africa still has a lot of potential. Our hi-tech equipment is often seen as the forerunner of major advances in this industry,” he concludes.