Thanks to the combination of a loading hopper, distribution augers and a screed, the asphalt paver ensures continuous and uniform laying of the bituminous conglomerate, adapting to the different widths of the road surface to be paved and the conditions of the construction site.
During paving operations, it is essential to maintain constant control over the height and inclination of the screed, the distribution of the material and the parameters of the hydraulic circuit, in order to ensure regular thickness, correct compaction and stability of the machine even on uneven surfaces.
The integration of linear position sensors, rotary sensors and pressure transducers improves paving accuracy, optimises material usage and increases the machine’s operational reliability in harsh environments.
Requirements:
Auger height adjustment
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Paving screed levelling angle control
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Tow point height adjustment
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Screed extension adjustment
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Hopper door opening/closing control
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Hydraulic circuit pressure monitoring
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Requirement:
Auger height adjustment
Controlling the height of the augers is essential to ensure uniform distribution of the asphalt mix across the entire paving width. Imprecise adjustment can cause material build-up or shortages, with negative effects on surface regularity and asphalt layer thickness.
A precise detection system allows the vertical position of the augers to be adjusted in real time to operating conditions, maintaining a constant flow to the paving screed and improving process stability and the final quality of the road surface.
Solution:
Gefran offers the RK-5 linear position sensor, a robust and compact solution, ideal for ensuring precise control of material flow and uniform paving.
Main features:
- Direct installation inside the hydraulic cylinder, without any external encumbrance
- Contactless magnetostrictive technology that eliminates wear and guarantees long life
- High resistance to shock, vibration and external agents
Thanks to these features, the RK-5 sensor is a reliable solution for adjusting the height of the augers, contributing to consistent performance and continuous operation of the machine.
Requirement:
Paving screed levelling angle control
Controlling the planing angle of the paving screed is essential for defining the surface finish and contributing to the correct formation of the asphalt layer. Uncontrolled variations in the angle can affect the quality of the paving, causing irregularities and discontinuities in the road surface.
A precise detection system allows real-time monitoring of the angular position of the moving components of the paving table, enabling accurate and repeatable adjustments according to operating conditions and the type of intervention.
Solution:
Gefran offers the GR3P rotary sensor with shaft, designed for angle measurement in applications on mobile machines operating in harsh environments.
Main features:
- Contactless Hall technology for high measurement stability and long life;
- Robust structure, resistant to shock, vibration, dust and water;
- High reliability even in high temperatures and harsh conditions.
Thanks to these features, the GR3P sensor ensures precise control of the paver’s angle, contributing to consistent surface quality and operational continuity.
Requirement:
Tow point height adjustment
Controlling the planing angle of the paving screed is essential for defining the surface finish and contributing to the correct formation of the asphalt layer. Uncontrolled variations in the angle can affect the quality of the paving, causing irregularities and discontinuities in the road surface.
A precise detection system allows real-time monitoring of the angular position of the moving components of the paving table, enabling accurate and repeatable adjustments according to operating conditions and the type of intervention.
Solution:
Gefran offers the GR3P rotary sensor with shaft, designed for angle measurement in applications on mobile machines operating in harsh environments.
Main features:
- Contactless Hall technology for high measurement stability and long life;
- Robust structure, resistant to shock, vibration, dust and water;
- High reliability even in high temperatures and harsh conditions.
Thanks to these features, the GR3P sensor ensures precise control of the paver’s angle, contributing to consistent surface quality and operational continuity.
Requirement:
Screed extension adjustment
Adjusting the booms of the paving screed is essential for adapting the paving width to the carriageway to be paved, maintaining continuity in the distribution of material along the entire road section. Unsynchronised or inaccurate movements can cause lateral unevenness and variations in layer thickness.
A precise detection system allows real-time monitoring of the position of the extension booms, ensuring symmetry of movement and progressive adjustments even during variations in operating width. This helps to improve the quality of the paving edge and the overall stability of the process.
Gefran offers the TWIIST linear position sensor, an innovative and reliable solution for adjusting the booms of the paving table.
Main features:
- Patented multivariable technology, with integrated position and dynamic measurement
- Available with analogue and CAN bus outputs
- Designed for harsh mobile environments, resistant to shock, vibration and high temperatures
Thanks to these features, TWIIST sensors ensure precise and reliable adjustments, guaranteeing controlled paving width and consistent road surface quality.
Requirement:
Hopper door opening/closing control
Controlling the opening and closing of the hopper doors is essential for regulating the flow of asphalt mix to the distribution system. Imprecise management can cause excess or shortage of material, affecting the continuity of the paving and the quality of the asphalt layer.
A precise detection system allows the position of the doors to be monitored in real time, enabling progressive adjustment of the material flow according to operating conditions and the machine’s forward speed.
Solution:
Gefran offers the GRA rotary sensor with shaft, designed for applications on mobile machines operating in harsh environments.
Main features:
- Available in single or redundant output versions for high safety requirements;
- Supports analogue and digital interfaces (CANopen, SAE J1939) for easy integration;
- Robust design, resistant to shock, vibration and high temperatures.
Thanks to these features, the GRA sensor ensures precise control of the position of the hatches, contributing to optimal material flow management and uniform paving.
Requirement:
Hydraulic circuit pressure monitoring
The hydraulic circuit controls the main movements of the asphalt paver, from the adjustment of the paving components to the management of the material distribution systems. Accurate pressure monitoring is essential to ensure stable operation of the actuators, prevent overloads and maintain safe operating conditions.
Continuous pressure measurement allows anomalies to be detected, optimises the performance of the hydraulic system and protects mechanical components from excessive stress, improving the reliability and durability of the machine.
Solution:
Gefran offers KM series pressure sensors, available with analogue and digital outputs (KMC), designed for hydraulic applications on mobile machines.
Main features:
- Compact size, allowing installation even in confined spaces;
- High measurement stability, even in the event of shock, vibration and high temperatures;
- SIL2/PLd certified, ensuring high functional safety standards.
Thanks to these features, the KM series pressure sensors guarantee precise control of the hydraulic circuit pressure and contribute to the safety and operational continuity of the asphalt paver
Operating principle:
The asphalt paver is designed to transfer and distribute the bituminous conglomerate continuously, coordinating the movement of the machine with the operation of the paving components. The material is unloaded into the loading hopper, conveyed to the transport system and distributed laterally by the augers, which ensure a uniform flow across the entire working width.
The screed receives the material, levels it and defines its thickness and geometrythrough real-time adjustmentof the height, inclination and lateral extension according to the conditions of the road surface. The engine powers both the traction system and the hydraulic circuit, which coordinates the actuators responsible for distributing the material and adjusting the paving.
Requirements and technology:
Asphalt pavers operate in harsh environments, with vibrations, dust and high temperatures associated with the presence of hot bituminous mix. In these conditions, it is essential to ensure a stable and controlled paving process, on which the quality of the road surface and the productivity of the construction site depend.
During paving, the machine must ensure precise adjustment of the material distribution and levelling components, maintaining constant paving geometry, mix flow and hydraulic circuit parameters. For this reason, it is essential to integrate a sensor system capable of continuously monitoring the position of critical components and hydraulic pressure, improving process stability, final quality and operational reliability.
Gefran’s sensor solutions are designed to withstand shocks, vibrations, dust, water and high temperatures, ensuring reliable measurements in all working conditions.
The main technological requirements include:
- Adjustment of the height of the augers
- Paving Screed Angle Control
- Adjustment of the height of the spreader table’s traction points
- Adjustment of the extension booms of the paving screed
- Hopper door opening/closing control
- Monitoring of the hydraulic circuit pressure
Gefran offers a complete portfolio of linear sensors, rotary sensors and pressure transducers to support the development of precise, efficient and reliable asphalt pavers.
