A mobile form traveler bridge construction machine is a type of on-site bridge construction equipment that comes with its own formwork system. It uses the pier caps or bridge piers as support structures and allows in-situ concrete casting of bridge segments. The main components include supporting legs, supporting trusses, inner and outer formwork, and the main girder lifting mechanism. The movement of the formwork and supports between bridge piers is driven by a hydraulic or electric system. During construction, the formwork and supports can be adjusted and positioned based on the bridge design requirements, followed by concrete pouring to form the bridge structure.
High Construction Quality
It enables precise control of formwork positioning and dimensions, ensuring accuracy and surface quality of the cast concrete. Once parameters are set, workers can use a control panel to operate vibrators, precisely manage the vibration of the concrete, improve its density and impermeability, and ultimately achieve better structural integrity.
Simple Operation
The system is equipped with intelligent control features to reduce the complexity of manual operations. Some mobile form traveler systems come with vibration control, smart canopy management, automatic spraying for curing, and integrated monitoring systems. Workers can operate these via control panels or mobile terminals.
Cost-Effective
Compared with traditional construction methods, this approach eliminates the need for a casting yard and large-scale beam transportation and erection equipment. This reduces equipment procurement and rental costs. Additionally, it minimizes the need for temporary land use and auxiliary facility construction, thereby saving land and associated expenses.
Strong Adaptability
It is suitable for various spans and heights in bridge construction and can adapt to different terrains such as plains or mountainous areas.
High Construction Efficiency
The system allows fast movement and positioning, enabling the completion of a single-span casting within a short period. For example, some systems use a rotary opening formwork mechanism, reducing the time required for opening and closing the mold to just 30 minutes, significantly shortening the construction cycle for each box girder.
High Safety
Equipped with multiple safety features such as overload protection, anti-overturning devices, and anti-collision systems. It also includes proactive safety control technologies that prevent over-lifting and over-height lifting, offering nine major safety functions. In the event of any abnormality, the system automatically initiates protection and shuts down.
Excellent Environmental Performance
There is no need to build trestles or construction access roads, which minimizes damage to the surrounding environment. All bridge components are precast and then transported to the site, greatly reducing dust and noise at the construction location. This makes the system particularly suitable for environmentally sensitive areas such as nature reserves and urban settings with strict noise and dust control requirements.
The mobile form traveler is suitable for the construction and maintenance of railway viaducts, overpasses, and tunnel bridges. It is widely used in passenger-dedicated railway lines and high-speed railway projects. Notable examples include the Shenjiang Railway, Xiongshang High-speed Railway, and Weisu High-speed Railway, where mobile form travelers have been utilized for bridge construction.
It can be used for building highway viaducts, river-crossing bridges, and more. The system is capable of operating under various terrain conditions such as mountainous areas, plains, and rivers, providing an effective construction solution for the development of road transportation.
In urban infrastructure projects, mobile form travelers are applied in the construction of city overpasses. Their construction process has minimal impact on existing traffic and allows for quick and efficient bridge building in confined urban spaces, effectively meeting the growing demands of urban transportation.
The mobile form traveler can complete bridge concrete casting in a short period. Compared with traditional full-scaffold methods, it significantly reduces the time required for erecting and dismantling scaffolding, enabling rapid construction and effectively shortening the bridge construction schedule.
The equipment ensures beam dimensional accuracy and appearance quality through its precise formwork system and concrete pouring process. The resulting beam surface is smooth with straight lines, and the prestress application is effectively controlled to enhance structural durability.
The mobile form traveler provides a relatively enclosed and stable working platform for construction personnel, minimizing the risk of working at height. It is also equipped with comprehensive safety features, such as guardrails and safety nets, to ensure the safety of workers during operation.
It can accommodate different span lengths and cross-sectional shapes of beams. By adjusting the size and structure of the form traveler, it meets the requirements of various bridge construction projects, including simply supported beams, continuous beams, and other complex structures.
Construction using the mobile form traveler generates less construction waste and noise pollution. As it does not require large-scale areas for storing and processing scaffolding materials, the environmental impact on the surrounding area is minimal, meeting the environmental standards of modern engineering projects.
Although the initial investment for a mobile form traveler is relatively high, it offers long-term cost savings due to its high construction efficiency and multiple reuse capabilities across various projects, thus reducing the unit construction cost and offering strong economic benefits.
With ongoing technological advancements, modern mobile form travelers are equipped with advanced control and automation systems such as hydraulic and electrical control systems. These allow for automatic opening, closing, movement, and adjustment of formwork, reducing manual labor and improving construction accuracy and efficiency.
1. Industry Position
Founded in 2006, Dafang Heavy Machinery covers an area of 1,580 acres and employs over 2,600 people. With an annual sales revenue of 3.566 billion RMB, the company focuses on two main business sectors: lifting machinery and steel structures. Major products include single and double girder bridge and gantry cranes, electric hoists, steel structure bridges, prefabricated buildings, and industrial plants. Dafang serves critical sectors such as military industry, aerospace, nuclear power, offshore engineering, metallurgy, and mining. Its products are exported to over 100 countries and regions, including the United States, Russia, and Southeast Asia.
Annually, Dafang manufactures 30,000 single-girder cranes, more than 12,000 double-girder and gantry cranes, and 30,000 electric hoists. Based on production scale, sales volume, and brand recognition, the company ranks among the top three in China’s crane industry.
2. Core Technologies
Dafang’s R&D team consists of over 260 members, including 104 with senior or intermediate engineering qualifications. The company invests 3.8% of its annual sales into technology development. It has obtained 12 international invention patents, 50 national invention patents, 415 utility model patents, and achieved 43 scientific and technological milestones. Dafang was the first in the industry to adopt anti-sway and automatic positioning technologies.
In 2016, Dafang became the first enterprise in Henan Province to implement smart crane applications and to introduce remote monitoring technology. The company also developed the multifunctional brewing crane, filling a domestic market gap. In 2021, Dafang was the first in the industry to be certified for unmanned intelligent cranes. In 2022, it undertook a project for a tower crane at a commercial satellite launch site.
3. Manufacturing Capability
Dafang Heavy Machinery is equipped with advanced in-house designed manufacturing equipment, including 1,500-ton press grooving machines, extrusion machines, and roller machines. The company has established leading domestic workshops, including an electrical assembly line, steel pre-processing line, paint finishing line, and China’s first practical single-girder lean production line. Precision machinery includes imported German NILES CNC gear grinding machines and Japanese MAZAK machining centers.
Dafang strictly follows refined manufacturing processes, adhering to the principle of “doing it right the first time, zero defects.” This commitment to quality is deeply ingrained in every employee, ensuring that every product delivered meets the highest standards.
4. Service Assurance
Dafang upholds a “comprehensive, high-quality” service standard, providing users with fast, attentive, and thorough one-stop services. With 24/7 online support, choosing Dafang means complete peace of mind. Just tell us what you need—we’ll take care of the rest.
The mobile form traveler is suitable for various types of bridge construction including railway bridges, highway overpasses, and urban interchanges. It is adaptable to different terrains such as plains, mountains, and river crossings.
It is easy to operate and equipped with intelligent control systems, including vibration control, automatic curing spray, and canopy operation. Workers can manage all functions via a control panel or mobile terminal, significantly reducing manual labor.
Compared to traditional beam precasting and transport methods, the mobile form traveler allows on-site casting of beams, eliminating the need for external precast yards and large transport machinery. This reduces costs, saves land, and improves construction efficiency and concrete quality.
The equipment is equipped with multiple safety systems including anti-tipping, collision prevention, overload protection, and over-height prevention. It can automatically shut down in case of anomalies to ensure the safety of both operators and equipment.
The construction process does not require trestle bridges or temporary access roads, significantly reducing dust, noise, and environmental disruption. It is highly suitable for use in environmentally sensitive areas and densely populated urban zones.
