PO Box 429

Rio Chama, NM  87532

PHONE (505) 927-2219 FAX (505) 357-3360

 

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ADOBE BLOCK PRESS DRAWINGS

click on drawing for full size

This Adobe Block Press can be set-up to operate in an auto mode or operated manually with hand control valves.  Compressed Earth Block (CEB) have been around for at least 35 years and cost anywhere from $8,000 for a small manual unit to $70,000 and more for a fully automated unit.  The cost to fabricate this unit can be as high as $10,000 for all new materials,  utilizing a used hydraulic power unit (motor and pump) and purchasing used steel components, the build cost can be as low as $2,000 excluding labor.

 

This unit,  with a 70 HP engine and 25 GPM flow hydraulic pump,  will produce 6 to 8 blocks per minute in auto mode, 2 to 3 per minute in manual mode.  Figure D and Figure E show provisions for double compression.  This feature provides for true edged rectangular and very dense blocks.  When this feature is used, the ejection plate assembly MUST be allowed to float independently.  The secondary compression is minimal, less than 1/2", and the compression takes place when the compression cylinders are within 500 PSI of the bypass set point (maximum compression).  Depending on the soils used and clay content, this feature may not be required.  The buck can be a welded component.

 

Soil mass is reduced by 40%-50% during compaction depending on soil composition, therefore the compression block and cavity from the hopper are more than twice as large as the 10" deep X 12" L block to be formed.  For repetitive auto mode production, two adjustable limit switches (compression stroke and compression block stop on return) can be used.  These can be adjusted as necessary to produce 4"-6"-8"-10" wide blocks or any depth from 2 to 10 inches.  Dimensional differences will be within 1/4".  Dimensional differences will be minimal if the moisture content and soil mix is consistent.  For the auto mode function, 12 VDC hydraulic solenoids will be required on the flow control valves.  This adds significant cost.  Sources are dismantled excavators, asphalt rollers, combines, and military surplus.

 

For manual operation, after acceptable blocks have been produced, manual limit blocks can be drilled and set into the guide rails.  Another option is to install a manual adjustable gate on the hopper to limit the amount of soil that enters the mold box and simply allow the compression cylinders to travel full stroke.  Production will be slower with unnecessary cylinder travel.

Hydraulic ports in all cases should be as large as possible for maximum flow.  On the retraction cycle of the compression block, only one cylinder needs to be powered.  The other, the return  can dump directly to the hydraulic tank.

 

Due to the extreme forces exerted, the sub frame and support structure for the entire assembly must be welded.  The parallel members to the mold box must be 3/4" to 1" with ladder type cross members upper and lower to hold the rails together.  If the unit is to be "down sized", the structural stability of the frame and mold  will be dictated by the amount of force produced by the compression cylinder(s) used.

 

The side walls (angle of repose) of the hopper must be  steep enough (greater than 45 degrees) to ensure that the material does not cone and cut down on the amount of soil that enters the mold box.  Most of the commercial producers make very large hoppers with the intent that if you keep the hopper fully loaded, you create a vertical shaft for the soil to fall into the mold box.  Sandy soils flow better than soils with high clay content.  It is recommended that straw and other organic materials not be used  as they adversely affect the quality of the CEB produced.

 

For those who look at embodied energy, one 10 X 4 X 4 block is 2,500 BTU when made by machine.

 

 

Cinva Ram

This is a manual hand operated press.  Cost is between $600 and $1200 US dollars.  Below are links for a "build it yourself" model or purchase a complete unit.

 

Here are a few sources for CINVA Rams

Plans in USA  
http://www.dirtcheapbuilder.com/cinvaramplans.html

Built in Aus
http://www.hahaha.com.au/rammed.earth/cinva.htm

UN Vita info
http://sleekfreak.ath.cx:81/3wdev/VITAHTML/SUBLEV/EN1/CINVARAM.HTM

Commercial Units
http://www.ferncometal.com/products.htm

Thailand
http://kthaicon.com/eblock.html

 

ADOBE BLOCK MACHINES

http://www.earthuprising.com/

http://www.adobemachine.com/

http://bwt.jeffotto.com/avail_now/village_builder.htm

http://www.ferncometal.com/products.htm

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/fwehman/Impact2001.html

http://www.defcoinc.com/Adobe/Blockmaker_Hox.html

http://www.oskam-vf.com/english/special_tools_and_machines/Press/press.htm

http://www.adobe-block.com/


 

Contact Information

Telephone

                  505-927-2219 

FAX

             505-367-3360

 

Postal address

            PO Box 429

                  Espanola, NM  87532

 

Electronic mail

Sales                             paul at sanco-bg.com

Web Master                    webmaster at sanco-bg.com

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