The strength of the systems is that industrial production methods are possible with at the same time maximum product flexibility. By simply changing the mould and the mould number (pre-programmed production parameters) the machines are ready to manufacture a different concrete product. It is entirely feasible to cast facilities into the elements. Studies have shown that concrete products manufactured by direct demoulding methods perform better than wet cast products in expansion-contraction cycles (such as freezing) and corrosive environments. Despite all these advantages, the investment and maintenance levels required are low compared with competing technology. Many years’ experience has ensured that the Leenstra machines are as rugged and dependable as possible.

Products:

Many different products are possible, as long as they can be demoulded onto a pallet or formed against a hard base. Many examples can be found on this site. One interesting example is the study that Leenstra made to develop low-cost, high-quality housing. See product ideas for a wide range of free concrete product designs, including a very competitive prefab concrete house shell. ID House (ID = Immediate Demoulding), a building design created especially for the Caster range, using the very high productivity and uniformity of the products to create a modular house design to first-class European building standards.

Product cost price:

The high productivity and low investment cost of the direct demoulding of prefab concrete elements result in very competitive products. Both the consistent strength and quality and the low production price allow the prefab concrete elements to be used in a wide range of applications. Any precast concrete product now made in wet cast production, if suitable for direct demoulding production, can be produced at a significant saving of man hours, cement cost and investment. Typically direct demoulding concrete mixtures are dryer than wet cast concrete and thus require less cement for equivalent strength. A normal cement usage for direct demoulded B55 prefab concrete elements is 300 kg/m3, rather than 400 kg/m3 for equivalent wet cast prefab products.