CBM 25 R Block Making Machine with Stacking Robot – Installation in Senegal

In Senegal we installed and commissioned a CBM 25 R for one of our customers: the version of our CBM 25 block machine that comes with a pallet stacking robot. The line stands under an open-sided steel shed with a sheet-metal roof. On this page we first explain what the robot changes on the line, then walk through the layout under the shed and the product leaving the mould.

Why a pallet stacking robot?

On a semi-automatic block plant, a large share of the labour goes into moving the fresh pallets that leave the machine. Every press cycle pushes one pallet of fresh blocks out of the mould; on a line without a robot, workers take each of these pallets to the curing area one by one with a pallet trolley, so a handling crew has to stand by the machine all day.

On the CBM 25 R the robot takes over this job. Pallets leaving the press travel on a conveyor to the robot, which stacks them on top of each other; a forklift then moves the whole stack to the curing area in one go. Because no workers are needed to carry pallets one by one, the robot line runs with 7–8 fewer workers on average than the same line without it. The press, moulds and output are the same as on the CBM 25; the difference starts once the blocks leave the machine.

Under the shed, from left to right

The cover photo shows the whole line in a single frame:

• Pallet stacking robot: the orange-framed unit with mesh guards on the far left; pallets of fresh blocks are stacked on its upper part.
• Pallet conveyor: the chain conveyor that carries pallets from the press to the robot. In the shot taken beside the robot, a pallet of fresh blocks sits on the conveyor between the robot and the machine.
• CBM 25 press: two feed hoppers and the press frame with İBAR MAKİNA lettering; a belt conveyor above brings the material to the hopper.
• Control panel and hydraulic unit: right in front of the press; the operator runs the line from this panel.

The roof shields the machine and the freshly moulded blocks from direct sun and rain, while the open sides leave room for ventilation and for moving the stacks out to the yard.

What leaves the mould: hollow concrete blocks

The close-up shows the press and mould area. Right in front of the mould is a pallet of fresh hollow blocks, and another row of blocks can be seen under the press. The corners are full and the cavity walls straight: a freshly moulded product that holds its shape shows that the mix and the vibration are set correctly. In the background you can make out the inclined belt conveyor that carries the material and stacked bags of cement.

According to our product record, the CBM 25, and therefore the CBM 25 R, produces the following with each mould:

The block size depends on the mould fitted; with a mould change the same machine also makes paving stones and curbstones.

Planning a similar line?

Another CBM 25 R with a stacking robot was installed in Mali: our CBM 25 R reference in Mali includes a table comparing the CBM 25 and the CBM 25 R side by side. Our other references in Senegal: another CBM 25 installation and, on a smaller scale, a BLOCKMASTER 4 installation. Installation and operator training are included in the price of every quote; our machines carry a 2-year warranty and spare parts ship the same day. With more than 45 years of experience, we have set up plants in over 30 countries. Send us your target daily output and the labour cost in your area — message us on WhatsApp and we will compare the line with and without the robot for you.