Typha press
The Typha press is a piece of equipment used for the manufacture of compressed earth blocks. It was developed as a partnership project with the organisation CRAterre (International Centre for Earthen Architecture).
CONTEXT
Typha is an invasive reed widespread on the edges of water courses and lakes in Senegal. The French-based organisation CRAterre is researching ways of using this material to produce insulating blocks made of a mixture of earth and typha. The initial tests carried out have been positive ; the next step of the research is to develop equipment to manufacture these blocks.
A device to press panels of typha stems into blocks (with no addition of earth) has already been produced, and Atelier Paysan took part in the design of an assembly line for the production of compressed earth blocks. The prototype was finalised at the [festival Grains d’Isère->http://craterre.org/diffusion:festival-grains-d-isere/ (on 27th to 30th May 2015 at the Grands Ateliers in Villefontaine). The kinematics of the press system and the joints for the different fixtures have already been approved.
The prototype consists of a frame which can be dismantled into 4 parts:
1. On the left, the container for the mixture of typha and earth, adjustable in height to be level with the mould
2. In the middle, a surface where the mould is filled on the left and then compressed on the right
3. The bracket which controls the compression plate and the pivot on the arm of the lever
4. On the right, the table for turning out the mould
The heights of the tables and the lever arm range has been designed to be as ergonomic as possible.
This machine is likely to be adaptable for the production of straw-mud blocks as building construction material (agricultural or residential).
A range of compression plates and moulds can be used to produce different sized blocks (coefficient 2) from 20 x 30 x 10 cms to 40 x 60 x 7 cms.
This is the video of the first test:
Documents to download
Technical drawing of the Typha press
Warning! The tool needs to be tested before its design is validated!
Creative Commons
The entirety of this article, including descriptions, photos and technical drawings, are available for all to use under a Creative Commons licence. They can be distributed and modified as long as the user mentions their origins (Atelier Paysan) and ensures that all related tools and documents are also under Creative Commons.
CC BY-NC-SA