Semi Automatic Versus Fully Automatic Block Machines

What Semi Automatic Actually Means Here

On the QT40-1 and QT4-24 the press is electrical vibration at 13.45 kW and 35.5 kN, with a 30 second moulding period. A belt conveyor feeds the hopper, but pallets and finished blocks are handled by the crew. Three to four workers run the line and the published workshop area for the QT40-1 is 60 square metres. The QT40-2 is a step below that again: hand fed, 40 second cycle, 30 kN, three workers.

What Changes On A Fully Automatic Machine

The QT4-15 moves to full hydraulic moulding with high-frequency vibration, and a PLC with a colour touch screen runs feeding, material distribution, moulding, demoulding and palletising from a one-key start. The cycle drops to 15 to 20 seconds and a shift produces 5,000 to 7,000 standard blocks. Fault self-diagnosis is built into the control system.

The Machine In Between

The QT4-25 sits between the two. It uses electrical vibration rather than hydraulics, but adds PLC control of plate supplying, material distributing and brick discharging, at 70 to 90 kN and a 25 second cycle. For a yard that wants automatic handling without a hydraulic system, this is the model to look at.

Choosing Between Them

Labour is the deciding factor as often as output. A semi automatic press needs three to four people every shift, permanently. An automatic line concentrates that labour into supervision, forklift work and curing. If block demand is seasonal or unproven, the semi automatic machine keeps the capital commitment small and still ships assembled, ready to run on connection to power.