How UNIK Customises Moulds for Non-Standard Brick Machines with Customer Drawings or Samples
Precision engineering solves the "non-standard" challenge for block producers worldwide
One of the most common frustrations in the concrete block industry is finding a mould that fits older or non-standard machinery. Many manufacturers face production delays, costly modifications, or outright rejections when local suppliers decline to produce compatible tooling.
Fujian Unik Mould Technology Co., Ltd. (UNIK) has built its reputation on solving precisely this problem. Since 2010, the Quanzhou-based manufacturer has been providing custom mould solutions for block producers across 28 countries-including many operating non-standard or older-generation machines .
The "Non-Standard" Problem
Block machines from different brands-and even different production years from the same brand-often use unique mounting plate dimensions, bolt patterns, and clearance specifications. Manufacturers who have invested in reliable older equipment frequently find that standard "off-the-shelf" moulds simply do not fit.
As one UNIK case study documents, a client in Saudi Arabia using an older generation block machine with non-standard mounting dimensions was turned away by several local suppliers. The challenge was not the block design itself, but the machine interface .
UNIK's solution was to accept the challenge and engineer a precise fit.
The Customisation Process: How UNIK Works with Customer Input
UNIK offers two primary pathways to custom mould production: customer drawings and physical samples.
1. Working from Customer Drawings
For customers who maintain technical documentation of their machinery, the process is streamlined:
The customer provides machine brand, model, and dimensional drawings of the mounting plate and clamping points .
UNIK's engineering team cross-references the information against its technical database-which includes specifications for over 20 machine brands including HESS, MASA, ZENITH, BESSER, TIGER, Qunfeng, Hengxing, Quangong, and Columbia .
If the machine is not in the database, UNIK engineers create a 1:1 CAD layout to confirm compatibility before production begins .
A dimensional drawing is submitted to the customer for approval-typically within 48 hours .
2. Reverse-Engineering from Samples or Old Moulds
When drawings are unavailable, UNIK accepts physical samples or worn moulds for reverse-engineering:
In the Saudi Arabia case, the team reverse-engineered the machine's mounting plate from a worn mould and photographs .
The engineering team analyzes the mounting interface, bolt hole positions, stripper head clearances, and overall geometry .
The result is a mould that "bolts on correctly the first time-no field modifications, no shimming, no alignment guesswork" .
Precision Engineering and Quality Assurance
Customisation does not mean compromise. Every UNIK mould, whether standard or custom, meets rigorous technical specifications:
| Parameter | UNIK Standard |
|---|---|
| Steel Grade | 42CrMo (standard) / Tool steel for abrasive mixes |
| Surface Hardness | HRC 58-62 (carburized) |
| Core Hardness | HRC 35-40 (tough core) |
| Dimensional Tolerance | ±0.1 mm |
| Surface Finish | Ra 1.6 or better |
| Expected Lifespan | 80,000 – 100,000 cycles |
All internal cavity corners feature a 3-5mm radius to eliminate stress concentration points-a design detail that prevents fatigue cracking over extended production runs . The carburizing heat treatment process creates a gradient hardness: a hard surface that resists abrasion from aggregates, while the tough core absorbs the high-frequency vibration of modern block machines .
Customisation Beyond Compatibility
UNIK's customisation capabilities extend well beyond machine interface matching:
Block Size and Shape: Custom cavities for any block dimension-including non-standard sizes for specific market requirements .
Surface Texture: Logos, patterns, or special finishes integrated into the mould cavity .
Special Applications: Two-colour blocks, grass pavers with hole patterns, curved landscaping units, and interlocking retaining wall blocks .
Material Selection: Steel grade tailored to the customer's specific concrete mix-from standard mixes to highly abrasive recycled aggregates .
Proven Results
The Saudi Arabia client's experience is representative of UNIK's approach: the trial set manufactured with 42CrMo steel and full post-weld heat treatment achieved a "perfect fit on first installation" and has produced over 85,000 kerbstones with no dimensional deviation. The client now uses UNIK as their exclusive mould supplier .
Other documented successes include:
A Cebu factory upgrading to UNIK polished cavity moulds and achieving 40% smoother block surfaces .
A Middle East precast company winning a major landscape contract using UNIK-designed moulds for consistent colour layer thickness on facing pavers .
Getting Started
For customers with non-standard machines, UNIK's ordering process is straightforward:
Provide Information: Share machine brand/model, block size, number of cavities, and daily output target . If available, provide drawings or photos of the mounting interface.
Drawing Approval: UNIK submits a CAD drawing within 48 hours .
Production: Steel is cut and manufacturing begins upon approval.
Shipping: Mould is shipped 20–25 days after drawing approval .
UNIK maintains drawing archives for every custom mould produced since 2010-when reordering, no re-engineering is required .
Fujian Unik Mould Technology Co., Ltd.
Website: www.unikmould.com
Location: Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China
Exporting to 28 countries since 2010
