Command Alkon’s Load Assurance Offers Unparalleled Visibility into Concrete Properties with Real-Time Air Content Measurement
May 16 2024 - 11:37AM
Command Alkon, the leading software and solutions provider for the
heavy building materials industry, is proud to announce the
availability of real-time air content measurement through its Load
Assurance software and in-drum sensor technology. This
groundbreaking feature offers complete and unparalleled visibility
into concrete properties, improving overall project outcomes while
enhancing safety, reducing material waste, and saving valuable
time.
Load Assurance utilizes direct contact, in-drum
technology to measure concrete properties throughout the delivery
process. Sensor data, including slump, temperature, volume, water
additions, water/cement ratio, drum rotation, direction for each
load, and now air content, are seamlessly transmitted to Command
Cloud in real-time. This alleviates the challenge of ready-mix
producers relying on the driver's perception of load attributes
during transit, and delivers real-time, scientific-based visibility
into the load properties of fresh concrete.
Unique to Load Assurance is its end-to-end
connectivity with related technologies for ready mix production,
dispatch, quality control, and fleet management. This makes Load
Assurance the most robust, streamlined, and easily scalable
solution available in the market today.
The ability to trace concrete properties through
real-time monitoring allows for tighter water control, leading to
reduced cement usage per yard and a decrease in the standard
deviation of compressive strength. This, in turn, lowers energy
costs by accurately regulating fresh concrete temperatures to
achieve the desired placement temperature.
Moreover, the sensor data provided by Load
Assurance enhances visibility into the properties of materials,
enabling the reuse of returned materials. Dispatchers can make
informed decisions about material reuse based on accurate returning
volume, extra water, and temperature data, eliminating costly
material waste. One leading producer reported a remarkable
achievement with Load Assurance, reusing 3% of returned concrete
from its total production volume, equivalent to over 3,000 cubic
yards. This resulted in a reduction of 1,215,000 pounds of CO2
emissions and a total cost savings of $250,000 within just 10
months.
By transforming trucks into rolling labs, Load
Assurance provides valuable insights that help reduce
out-of-specification issues and limit the occurrence of rejected
loads. Real-time data transmission to the driver's tablet via a
durable and reliable sensor system installed in the drum reduces
fuel usage by minimizing truck mixing time and idle time on the
jobsite during quality control testing.
Furthermore, Load Assurance contributes to
significant fuel savings by allowing producers to mix materials at
lower speeds, reducing even more CO2 emissions. The platform
notifies the driver when materials have reached a fully mixed
status, enabling the reduction of drum speed and further reducing
fuel-consumption and emissions.
The benefits of Load Assurance extend beyond
material quality, fuel, and emissions. Producers can expect to:
- Reduce time spent in the plant by an average of 2-3
minutes
- Reduce time spent manually testing for air content at the
jobsite
- Reduce driver onboarding and training costs by an average of
$1,250 per driver
- Reduce driver turnover with improved job satisfaction
- Decrease driver injuries and workers comp claims by keeping
drivers inside the cab
- Generate revenue and improve margins by selling returned
concrete and reducing the cost of waste processing and
disposal
- Reduce claims based on concrete quality and provide proof of
product quality at time of pour
- Increase overall product quality and consistency
The industry has recognized the groundbreaking
innovation of Load Assurance, as evidenced by the numerous awards
it has received, including the Supply and Demand Chain Executive
Green Award, Supply and Demand Chain Executive Top 100 Award,
Constructech Top Products Award, and its contribution to Command
Alkon’s recognition as one of Fast Company's Most Innovative
Companies.
Load Assurance continues to revolutionize the
concrete industry with its advanced technology and commitment to
delivering real-time visibility, enhanced quality, and significant
cost savings. For more information, visit
https://commandalkon.com/products/load-assurance/.
ABOUT COMMAND ALKONCommand Alkon
offers technologies that automate and streamline all aspects of the
heavy building materials supply chain for ready mix and concrete
producers, asphalt producers, and aggregate suppliers. A
comprehensive suite of industry-specific solutions combined with
employees invested in the success of heavy materials operations and
construction projects differentiates Command Alkon as an industry
leader and go-to partner. Command Cloud, a next-generation platform
built for the industry, enables business partners to digitize and
integrate workflows for materials and trucking management and
capture powerful insights that drive performance.
For More Information, Contact:Karli LangnerCommand
Alkon(205) 879-3282 x 3968klangner@commandalkon.com