The Florida home of Disney will be home to the fifth annual Manufactured Concrete Products Exposition (MCPX). The event will be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Feb. 22–24. The show, which is the largest event specifically for manufactured concrete products, offers the latest innovations in equipment, technology, and education. More than 6000 concrete producers, distributors, engineers, architects, and other industry leaders will attend.
Producers of precast, masonry, pavers, pipe, and prestressed concrete can learn about innovations that will affect their companies. Products and equipment at this year's show will include automated systems; block, paver, and pipe machines; pigment processors; mixers; batchers; curing systems; forms; insulation; material handling equipment; computer software; cranes; wire products; reinforcement; rebar benders; vibration tables; loaders; and lifting systems.
In addition to hundreds of suppliers exhibiting thousands of products, attendees can benefit from product demonstrations, floor sessions, and laboratory demonstration testing of both precast products and masonry products. Daily demonstrations will include Ergonomics in Rebar Tying, Dust and Noise Control, and Fresh Concrete Testing and Procedures.
Dozens of educational programs will be offered by the show's sponsoring associations: the National Precast Concrete Association (NPCA), the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA), the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI), the American Concrete Pipe Association (ACPA), and Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI). Attendees can choose single-topic courses or three-day sessions, covering the newest advances in production, management, quality, safety, and more. Associations will host plant tours.
Attendees can take advantage of many networking opportunities at MCPX. The grand opening brunch on Feb. 22 will feature speaker Beck Weathers, a climber who survived a deadly snowstorm on Mt. Everest. Also on the agenda is a tour of Winter Park, Fla., and a visit to the Kennedy Space Center.
In 2008, MCPX moves to the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Feb. 7–9, for its last year. After this show, the NPCA and NCMA will terminate their partnership and joint ownership of the MCPX name. Beginning in 2009, the NPCA will host its own show, IconEx, especially for precast products.
For information about the show's schedule, educational courses, and registration, visit the show's Web site, www.mcpx.org, or telephone 877-303-0717.
A preview of some of the MCPX exhibitors' products follows. Booth numbers were correct at time of publication.
Twin shaft mixer
Multiple pipes distribute water quickly for fast mixing in the Wiggert DWM 4500CC twin shaft mixer. Processing aggregates up to 6 inches, the mixer is lined with replaceable, wear-resistant armored wear liners for long life. An oversized discharge gate allows a short cycle time. The mixer, suited for the ready-mix and precast industries, is driven by two heavy-duty motors, V-belts, and gear reductions. Advanced Concrete Technologies 603-431-5661. www.concretebiz.com. MCPX booth #1643
Seals and protects
HDPE and PP Sure Grip's principal application is for concrete sealing and protection. Existing concrete structures also can be relined. The seaming of the product is carried out by extrusion welding. Features and benefits include stud shear force of more than 1800N/stud in longitudinal and horizontal directions, 90% reduced radiation absorption using white HDPE on stud side, high pull out resistance, and a high mechanical bond. Agru America. 800-321-1379. www.agruamerica.com. MCPX booth #583
