Prototype for remote control of end-hose for concrete pumping

Concrete is one of the world´s most used building materials and is crucial for the construction of buildings and civil engineering structures. The most common method for pouring concrete is to use a concrete pump. In Sweden, approximate 4 million m3 of concrete is pumped every year. Both the concrete pump and placing boom are controlled by an operator using a hand control device.

But the end-hose (the last part of the placing boom) is controlled manually by a concrete worker. Manually handling, e.g. by moving and changing the direction of the end-hose, is associated with heavy work.

Moreover, during pumping (at high pressures), so called “air blasts” can suddenly occur that causes the end-hose into uncontrollable movements.

These movements can cause serious injuries to people that are working close to the end-hose.The idea of this project is therefore to eliminate the need for manually handling the end-hose by developing a mechanical device that can control the movements of the end-hose using a remote control.This project idea has been developed during a pre-study led by Cementa in close collaboration with a construction company, a concrete supplier, and experts in mechanical engineering, automation and robotics belonging to the Construction Robotics lab at Lund University.

The pre-study has resulted in the selection of a technical solution and design documents necessary to build a prototype.

Now we want to proceed with the next step to build, test and evaluate this prototype to verify if the chosen solution can work, or if it needs to be modified.Cementa is seeking funding to develop and test the prototype developed in the pre-study to remotely control an end-hose for concrete pumping.

The idea is to eliminate the need to control the end-hose manually and by that improve working conditions and improve safety for concrete workers. The project consists of lab-testing to evaluate the technical performance of the prototype and its components.

It also consists of testing the prototype in more realistic situation where the end-hose is attached to a concrete pump.

Furthermore, the project involves evaluating patent and commercial aspects.The project will be carried out at the Center for Construction Robotics at Lund University in close collaboration with the same constellation of people who worked in the pre-study.Cementa is responsible for maintaining the project results to enable further developments and steps towards a market introduction.

The objective of this project is to be a basis for further developments and taking necessary steps to enable commercialization.

In the long term, we also see further developments, e.g. by autonomously controlling the end-hose with the help of sensor and/or vision technologies.The project addresses Smartbuilt´s theme area "Innovations and new applications" and mainly contributes to the short-term effect "New services or products available on the market".