Automatic rebar tying machines have speeded up the process of tying rebars and improved the quality of the knots. Rebar manual tying, being repetitive in nature, can cause injuries to workers in the long run. We weigh in on the workings of the rebar tying machine to help you understand how it can replace manual work and offer greater productivity and safety to employees.
How does it work?
Rebar, known as reinforcing steel, is a steel bar or a mesh of steel wires used in reinforced concrete and masonry structures. The rebars that are placed in the form of a grid or matrix are tied together at various connecting points. This helps in strengthening the concrete structure. The rebar work is known as rod busting in the construction sector. And the workers who perform the rod busting are called rod workers.
The three different methods of rebar tying:
- Pliers – This is the conventional method of rod tying. This relies on linesman pliers along with a diagonal cutter and a wire spool. The pliers are mainly used to cut, hold and to twist the wire. The wire spool is generally attached to the belt on the workers waist. The worker pulls a length of wire from the spool, wraps it around the rebar with the pliers, ties it together by twisting the two ends of the wire and then cuts off the excess wire using the linesman pliers.
- Pigtail – The worker uses a wire that is pre-cut and a twisting tool that looks like a pigtail. This tying machine is generally used by non experienced rod workers on such sites that do not require much tying.
- Rebar tying machine – Rebar tying machines are battery operated tools that are placed at the intersection of rebar rods. At the depression of a trigger, the tool automatically feeds the required wire around the rebar rods, twists it and cuts it. This is done at great speed with a firm wrap around the rebars.
As can be seen, automatic rebar tying machines are, by far the best way to ensure that reinforced structures have a firm grid of mesh in place.
