Working with the University of Liverpool’s Centre for Global Eco-Innovation (CGE) and Cubic3’s supply chain, Cubic3 Design and Engineering Limited has completed a 10 month project into the life span of a range of continuous concrete mixers. The mixers have been redesigned to achieve longer life span with less maintenance requirements.
Cubic3’s Technical Director, Anthony Jones, explains: “Having worked in the sector for over 30 years, we know how important it is to get the job done. Being able to repair on site – without workshop facilities – is of great importance to us and our customers, who often are in overseas and remote locations such as the Algerian desert.”
The project was carried out with the assistance of the University, a graduate Engineer, and Cubic3’s suppliers & customers. Modern eco-design strategies were used to find the best opportunities for improvement.
The hydraulic, pneumatic, computer and electrical systems, as well as the fabricated structure, have been redesigned to achieve:
- Simplified systems with fewer components
- Use of components with a high Mean Time Before Failure and low maintenance requirements
- Simple fault diagnosis
- ‘Plan B’ fail-safes, to compete the job without immediate workshop assistance
- Lower environmental impact as a result of simpler systems and longer lifespan
Other features and thus customer benefits have also been added to the Cubic3 range of mixers.
“The operation of the mixer depends on hydraulic technology. Oil cleanliness has a big impact on the life of a system, so we combined advanced filtration technology with robust hydraulic components, resulting in mixers that can deliver results day after day in harsh environments.”
“Our new range of Cubic3 continuous concrete mixers have been developed based on our own experience, and detailed feedback from machine owners and operators. This project gave us the opportunity to innovate and improve the design and manufacture even further.”
