AUTOMATIC Wire Machines (AWM) of Italy says it is receiving good market response to its latest machine for manufacturing electrowelded mesh.

Launched recently, Flexiweld produces electrowelded mesh automatically using cad-cam techniques, according to Filippo Gremese, area sales manager of AWM.
The company has already sold one unit to Abu Dhabi-based Aldar for its Al Raha Beach project while negotiations are on with other major companies in the UAE capital, as well as in Saudi Arabia.
The mesh is designed through structural computing programmes engineered and developed by AWM.
Explaining the process, Gremese says: “The mesh is automatically manufactured by the machine starting with steel wire coils (hot rolled or drawn wire). Different kinds of panels, in terms of size, shape and wire diameters, can be produced in sequence.”
“A unique feature of this machine is the possibility to produce automatically mesh panels with oblique sides and openings (windows/doors) without wasting raw material. This possibility given by the plant to position the wires (longitudinal and transversal) only where necessary and according to the structural calculation of the mesh panel, allows optimisation of both diameter and length of the wires. With this system (patented by AWM), it is possible to reduce the weight of the mesh panel while keeping the same resistance,” he says.
Maximum flexibility of the machine is ensured by the automatic upper and lower crosswire positioning system. The machine can be connected to the customer’s main ERP (enterprise resource planning) system, creating an integrated system for production management of the whole precast factory.
Depending on the specific needs, AWM supplies customised special mesh plants for different sizes, production capacities and configurations of the mesh.
The new generation of Flexiweld machines can also be equipped with optional bending units that allow the production of special mesh panels for precast walls, solid walls, double walls and floor slabs.
“We introduced this technology for special mesh in a wide range of countries and have seen steady demand worldwide, thanks to regular contacts with sales agents and customers, which in turn have allowed the company to understand traditions in order to satisfy needs. This is how product exporting blends with AWM’s recognition of the need to adapt to the uniqueness of each individual country,” he adds.
Since 1987, AWM has been developing, designing and building machinery for the production of steel reinforcement.
“The name AWM is synonymous for quality, efficiency and flexibility worldwide,” Gremese says.
For over 20 years, AWM has been manufacturing high-technology machines for the processing of reinforcement steel, such as standard and special mesh welding machines, high-speed wire straightening and cutting machines, lattice girder machines, cold-rolling lines, automatic mesh-cutting and bending machines, special machines for the production of tunnel reinforcement and automatic machines for production of steel reinforcement for box culverts.
“Corporate flexibility is the fundamental rule of AWM. Thanks to its modern and innovative structure, AWM can quickly meet the market needs by continuously creating new customised systems,” he says.
AWM complies with the requests of various clients including electrowelded mesh and lattice girder manufacturers, prefabrication yards (including tunnel segments production), precast box culverts manufacturers and large enterprises in the construction field. Its target market is oriented towards plant with high technological content ensuring high quality production.
In the precast industry, AWM is well-known worldwide for the supply of automatic machines for production of customised special mesh.
“In response to the increasing demand for automatisation in the manufacturing processes, AWM is continuously designing machinery and equipment to provide specific, high-performance and cost-effective solutions that meet the particular needs of the precast market,” Gremese concludes.