Abstract: An automated system and associated method of producing manhole products includes an area closed production loop where molds are moved to discrete workstations. A standard set of tasks (e.g., mold cleaning and release agent application, reinforcement placement, pre-pouring activities and inspection, filling, curing, and product demolding) are performed at various ones of the workstations. Once one of these tasks is completed, the mold moves to the next workstation. This enables a transition from ‘cast on the floor’ method to an assembly line principle.

Abstract: A modular forming system (10) configured for forming concrete box culverts is disclosed. The inventive system (10) includes displaceable panels for forming the concrete that are vibrated relative to stationary frames to compact the concrete enabling denser, stronger finished concrete to be formed with lighter weight, lower maintenance, longer lasting frames. The system (10) broadly includes a pallet (12), a core (14), a jacket (16), and a header (18). The jacket (16) encircles the core (14) and is supported on the pallet (12) and is operable to mold the outside circumferential surface of the culvert. The jacket (16) includes a plurality of modular sections (20-32) and each section includes a stationary frame (34), a displaceable vibratory panel (36), a plurality of spring assemblies (38-68) shiftably coupling the panel (36) to the frame (34), and a vibrator (70) coupled to the panel (36) for reciprocating the panel (36) relative to the frame (34).

Abstract: A modular forming system (10) configured for forming concrete box culverts (C1) and (C2) is disclosed. The inventive forming system enables a strong and secure system that is relatively easier and more efficient to assemble. The system (10) broadly includes a pallet (12), a core (14), a jacket (16), and a header (18). The pallet (12) is operable to mold the ribbed face (F2) of the culverts. The core (14) is encircled by the pallet (12) and is operable to mold the inner circumferential surface (ICS) of the culverts. The jacket (16) is supported on the pallet (12) and is operable to mold the outside circumferential surface (OCS) of the culverts. The header (18) encircles the core (14) and is operable to slide between the core (14) and the jacket (16) to mold the non-ribbed face (F1) of the culverts.

Abstract: A modular forming system (10) configured for forming concrete box culverts is disclosed. The inventive system (10) includes displaceable panels for forming the concrete that are vibrated relative to stationary frames to compact the concrete enabling denser, stronger finished concrete to be formed with lighter weight, lower maintenance, longer lasting frames. The system (10) broadly includes a pallet (12), a core (14), a jacket (16), and a header (18). The jacket (16) encircles the core (14) and is supported on the pallet (12) and is operable to mold the outside circumferential surface of the culvert. The jacket (16) includes a plurality of modular sections (20-32) and each section includes a stationary frame (34), a displaceable vibratory panel (36), a plurality of spring assemblies (38-68) shiftably coupling the panel (36) to the frame (34), and a vibrator (70) coupled to the panel (36) for reciprocating the panel (36) relative to the frame (34).

Abstract: A modular forming system (10) configured for forming concrete box culverts (C1) and (C2) is disclosed. The inventive forming system enables a strong and secure system that is relatively easier and more efficient to assemble. The system (10) broadly includes a pallet (12), a core (14), a jacket (16), and a header (18). The pallet (12) is operable to mold the ribbed face (F2) of the culverts. The core (14) is encircled by the pallet (12) and is operable to mold the inner circumferential surface (ICS) of the culverts. The jacket (16) is supported on the pallet (12) and is operable to mold the outside circumferential surface (OCS) of the culverts. The header (18) encircles the core (14) and is operable to slide between the core (14) and the jacket (16) to mold the non-ribbed face (F1) of the culverts.