Rapid deliver plant improvement for Ty-Rock

Upgraded plant boosts output for Northern Ireland ready-mixed and precast concrete producer

RAPID International Ltd have recently supplied Ty-Rock, one of Northern Ireland’s leading producers of ready-mixed and precast concrete products, with an upgrade to their stationary concrete batching plant in Co. Armagh, allowing the company to significantly increase its output capabilities.

After experiencing an upsurge in demand and having been satisfied with the performance of their existing 1.0 cubic metre Rapid pan mixer, Ty-Rock called upon Tandragee-based Rapid International to upgrade the plant to allow for increased output levels and greater flexibility.

The primary works carried out involved the installation of a new Rapid R3000 3.0 cubic metre pan mixer contained within a new, fully clad mixer platform. Modifications included upgrades to the existing weigh belt, an extension to the conveyor from the weigh belt to the mixer platform, and the installation of a new aggregate holding hopper as well as a Rapid high-pressure mixer washout system.

Additional features, such as a movable wet-batch hopper, were included to give Ty-Rock greater production flexibility, while an extension chute was added to allow better service for ready-mixed concrete collections.

Commenting on how the newly upgraded plant is helping the company to work more efficiently, Gary Heatrick, co-owner of Ty-Rock, said: ‘It has increased our output considerably, compared with the previous plant, and is providing more efficient loading times. The plant improvement is saving the company both time and money on a daily basis.’

At the heart of the new plant is the Rapid R3000 pan mixer, which has been specifically designed to offer high outputs and fast discharge times. Durable chill cast tiles, wear sleeves and paddles are supplied as standard, as are heavy-duty discharge door mechanisms. Safety concerns are mitigated through the use of spring-tensioned mixing arms.

The pan mixer is equipped with an uprated gearbox, supplied by a specialist gearbox manufacturer, and Ty-Rock also opted to have it fitted with a jet wash head, allowing for integration with a Rapid Jetwash system for high-pressure mixer cleaning.

Mr Heatrick continued: ‘The job was completed in good time and with great attention to detail. We have been very impressed with Rapid throughout the installation process. The machinery has been finished to a very high standard resulting in a great end product.’