Hydro-Probe Orbiter

Moisture measuring inside the mixer of a concrete production plant for cementitious and precast products is completely mandatory, given that controlling and checking the moisture levels of the final product is perhaps the most important factor as far as quality assurance and raw materials saving is concerned. The most important differences between ready-mix concrete transported by vehicles towards the construction site and ready-mix concrete for cement products have to do with the quantity of water In the mix as well as its homogeneity.

These two factors are very important in Ready-Mix Concrete but not as decisive when it comes to discarding a batch, as the case is with Cement Products. The reason is that every mixing in the precast industry is not eligible for any additional treatment after leaving the mixer. It goes directly to the molds of the products and if the amount of water is not correct, then in the best case scenario the products will be defective. But even if the quantity of water is precisely correct, each batch must be completely homogenized after it exits the mixer so the results are the same batch after batch.

Originally supplied to the concrete industry, the Hydro-Probe Orbiter can also be mounted as a static sensor underneath a bin or above a belt conveyor and is therefore easily adaptable for use in other industries such as sand, aggregates, cereal, animal feed and fish meal.

Unlike other sensors which are positioned so that the material flows over the sensor face, the Hydro-Probe Orbiter is placed on top of the rotating arm of the mixer’s scraper. As a result its heading is designed to move rapidly through the mix, in a distance of approximately 50mm above the bottom, providing a very fast response to changes in moisture.

The Hydro-Probe Orbiter may be easily mounted in static pan mixers such as Turbo or Planetary mixers when used with a Rotating Connector. It is fitted to the top cover of the mixer and provides a simple way of connecting the plant wiring outside of the mixer to the sensor wiring within the mixer to allow all relevant signals from the sensor to be accessed.

The sensing arm is is supplied with protective rings of hardened steel. It is as a result protected from the corrosion caused by the Ready-Mix Concrete. Apart from the sensing arm, the sensing surface is also made of hardened steel, and when damaged it can be replaced individually causing only minimal disruption to production.