Spurgin has been focussing on innovation, sustainability and efficiency for decades – supported by its long-standing partnership with the Progress Group. The French market leader for conventional double walls and double walls made of concrete with a low CO2 content realises state-ofthe-art circulation systems with the full-range provider for the precast concrete industry, as is currently the case in Mignières in northern France. The result is a new production line for the manufacture of wood-concrete elements consisting of 85% bio-based material – a pioneering project for the precast concrete industry, and not just for Spurgin.
PreFix shuttering system at the heart of the new system
Progress has developed a FormMaster shuttering and deshuttering robot with the PreFix shuttering system for the new type of solid wall. The particular challenge in this project was the difficulty of producing different wall thicknesses and wall contours. Due to the large number of possible combinations, a conventional shuttering system would have required an enormous amount of space in the shuttering profile store. The special PreFix shuttering system consists of a universal basic shuttering with magnets and various facing elements, which are changed fully automatically by the shuttering robot. This combined system makes it possible to realise elements with different wall heights and contours on each pallet. The need for shuttering elements is significantly reduced – and with it the space required in the warehouse.
First concrete elements after just three months of construction
The complete circulation system was installed and successfully commissioned in just three months – a challenge that is only possible with a well-coordinated team. This project represents a significant milestone for the French construction industry, and Progress Group will continue to accompany Spurgin with a great deal of innovative strength on its path towards automation and digitalisation of precast concrete element production.