CASE STUDY

Optimising Precast Manufacturing for Tunnel Excellence

CASE STUDY

Optimising Precast Manufacturing for Tunnel Excellence

Project Snapshot

Have you ever wondered how many precast concrete segments are required to create Victoria’s North East Link tunnels?

Hint: it’s a lot.

What about where they come from and how they are manufactured?

Hint: they’re manufactured locally at the largest precast facility in the southern hemisphere.

If you’ve asked yourself either of these questions, then you’ll want to watch this! If you haven’t, we think you will too.

APS Industrial are proud to have worked alongside Deacam Engineering to support LS Precast in the delivery of over 43,000 precast concrete segments used to build the 6.5km North East Link tunnels.

The project underscores how local collaboration and capability have the power to deliver world-class outcomes.

With Victoria’s population projected to reach 10 million by 2051, Victoria’s Big Build is delivering more than 180 major road and rail projects to keep the state moving for decades to come. One of these key road projects are the North East Link Tunnels which have been described as the missing link in Melbourne’s freeway network. Once completed, the North East Link Tunnels will take 15,000 trucks off local roads a day and reduce travel times by up to 35 minutes.

LS Precast are a locally run and owned concrete precast manufacturing plant in Benalla, Victoria. As the largest precast facility in the Southern Hemisphere, they specialise in producing high quality precast elements for large, high profile infrastructure projects in Australia. The LS Precast manufacturing plant plays a crucial role in the delivery of the North East Link Tunnels, providing over 43,000 concrete segments. To ensure they could reliably meet the increased production requirements of this project, in mid-2023 they embarked on an upgrade of their facility.

Deacam, also a locally run and owned business based in Victoria, are specialists in customised electrical engineering solutions. Having worked with LS Precast as a delivery partner for previous projects, they were chosen to take a lead role in the design and implementation of the facility upgrade.

To bring their solution design to life and deliver the best engineering outcomes for LS Precast, Deacam needed the best in software and hardware componentry. That is where APS Industrial came in, supporting these efforts by providing essential products and technical support, ensuring the enhancements significantly improved productivity and product quality.

Deacam Engineering were able to optimise LS Precast’s infrastructure, introducing advanced machinery and strategic upgrades. They integrated new carousel and static mould systems, along with automatic crane vacuum and flipping systems.

APS Industrial were proud to support this project with a range of critical hardware and software componentry from the world’s industrial manufacturer’s including Siemens, Weidmüller and Rittal.

| Siemens SIMATIC ET 200 SP
| Siemens SIMATIC Unified HMI Panels
| Siemens SIMATIC S7-1500
| Siemens SINAMICS G120 Drives
| Rittal AE Enclosures
| Siemens SENTRON MCBs
| Siemens SIRIUS Contactors & Overloads
| Siemens SIRIUS 8WD46 Signaling Columns
| Siemens SIRIUS ACT  Push Buttons
| Weidmüller Surge Protection

For more information on these products, please see below.

LS Precast in Benalla, Victoria, the largest precast facility in the Southern Hemisphere, is integral to producing precast elements for major infrastructure projects like the North East Link Tunnel. Faced with evolving environmental standards and increased production demands, LS Precast sought to upgrade its facility. APS Industrial, in collaboration with Deacam Engineering, worked to optimise operations and enhance efficiency.

LS Precast needed to adapt to new environmental standards and cope with increased production demands. Integrating a new concrete recipe without compromising quality or efficiency posed a significant challenge. Ensuring seamless integration and maintaining strict timelines added to the complexity.

Deacam Engineering overhauled LS Precast’s infrastructure, introducing advanced machinery and strategic upgrades. They integrated new carousel and static mould systems, along with automatic crane vacuum and flipping systems. APS Industrial supported these efforts by providing essential products and technical support, ensuring the enhancements significantly improved productivity and product quality.

  • Siemens SIMATIC ET 200 SP
  • Siemens SIMATIC Unified HMI Panels
  • Siemens SIMATIC S7-1500
  • Siemens SINAMICS G120 Drives
  • Rittal AE Enclosures
  • Siemens SENTRON Miniature Circuit Breakers
  • Siemens SIRIUS Contactors & Overloads
  • Siemens SIRIUS 8WD46 Signaling Columns
  • Siemens SIRIUS ACT  Push Buttons
  • Weidmüller Surge Protection

“APS provides us access to world class technology along with product support for that same technology. Without those guys, we really wouldn’t have ended up with the solution that we’ve got here.”

Steve Bleijswijk | Director at Deacam Engineering

Featured Products

Browse some of the products featured throughout this video from our manufacturing partners including Siemens, Weidmüller and Rittal.

SIMATIC ET 200SP

SIMATIC ET 200SP

SIMATIC ET 200 is a multifunctional, modular, and precisely scalable system for distributed automation

SIMATIC HMI UNIFIED PANELS

SIMATIC HMI UNIFIED PANELS

The SIMATIC HMI Unified Panels come with support for Industrial Edge by default. This allows you to expand the functionality of the devices using apps.

SIMATIC S7-1500

SIMATIC S7-1500

The SIMATIC S7-1500 controller features a modular design and can be scaled in terms of its functionality, so you can adapt assemblies and functions perfectly.

SINAMICS G120

SINAMICS G120

Siemens SINAMICS G120 is a versatile drive system that offers a broad range of functionalities suitable for a variety of applications.⁠

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AE ENCLOSURES

AE ENCLOSURES

Rittal AE Enclosures are high-quality sheet steel enclosures, featuring a spray-finished door, mounting plate, and gland plate at the base. They offer superior protection with a rating of up to IP66.

SENTRON MCB

SENTRON MCB

Siemens SENTRON Miniature Circuit Breakers are reliable, high-performance circuit protection devices. Crafted with precision, they provide excellent overcurrent protection, ensuring the safety and stability of electrical installations. 

CONTACTORS & OVERLOADS

CONTACTORS & OVERLOADS

SIRIUS SIGNALING COLUMNS

SIRIUS SIGNALING COLUMNS

Siemens SIRIUS 8WD46 Signaling Columns are versatile and reliable visual and audible signaling devices. Designed for clear and effective communication of machine statuses and alerts, these columns offer customizable configurations to meet diverse industrial needs.

SIRIUS ACT PUSH BUTTONS

SIRIUS ACT PUSH BUTTONS

Siemens SIRIUS ACT Push Buttons are ergonomic devices engineered for precise operation, with a sleek design, robust construction, intuitive tactile feedback, and various color and style options for diverse control needs.

WEIDMÜLLER SURGE PROTECTION

WEIDMÜLLER SURGE PROTECTION

Weidmüller surge protection devices effectively safeguard electrical systems from voltage spikes and surges, ensuring continuous operation by reliably diverting excess energy away from sensitive components.