Concrete Formwork (Precast) Magnets

It quickly attaches forms and shutters to steel work tables; by replacing bolted connections it shortens assembly time considerably. It is used over and over again in precast (prefabricated) concrete production.

Fixing formwork without bolts

In precast concrete production, forms and shutters are fixed to a steel work table. The classic method is bolting or welding; both drill into the table, damage the surface over time and take considerable time at every formwork change. The magnetic holder attaches the form to the table without drilling a single hole.

Where the time difference comes from

A magnetic holder is engaged with a single movement of a lever and released the same way. On a table with dozens of fixing points this means a setup measured in minutes instead of hours. Because the formwork layout changes with every order in precast production, the gain is repeated every day.

Electro-permanent operating principle

These holders need no electricity to maintain their force. Once the magnetization has been set up it is permanent; energy is used only at the moment of clamping and releasing. As a result the form does not move in the event of a power failure — under construction-site conditions this is decisive for safety.

Use and maintenance

• Concrete residue and sand between the table surface and the holder directly reduce the holding force; they must be cleaned off before every use
• The nominal force of the holder applies to a clean, flat surface; on a painted or rough surface the force decreases
• On models constantly exposed to water and concrete slurry, the sealing of the body is important

For the same logic applied to plastic injection molds, see the magnetic mold clamping systems.