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Manufacturer
ECO Systems
P. O. Box
938
Blantyre
Malawi
Tel. [ . . 265] 620167
Tlx 44891 eco mi
Fax [
. . 265] 634 281
Description
Since 1986 ECO Systems has been producing rooftiles and rooftile machines. The original tiles were manufactured according to the specifications of the Malawi Government Rural Housing Proiect (RHP) staff.
The RHP/ECO machine, which is basically a wooden box, is vibrated by two flat metal springs that hit it from underneath at a frequency of 2000 per minute. This is achieved by turning a handle, which requires little manual effort to operate.
A disadvantage of the earlier versions of the machine was the noise they produced. Therefore, the machines are now fixed firmly to a brick socle (instead of a light steel frame) reducing the noise and increasing the vibration intensity.
Two types of screeding machines are available: with a flat top for standard tiles and with a concave top for improved tiles (which are 9 mm thick at the troughs and 6.5 mm at the ridges). Thus, with the improved tile machine, a separate machine is required for making moulds and ridge tiles. If standard tiles are to be produced, only a combination machine is needed, which has interchangeable frames to make moulds and ridge tiles.
The concept of ECO Systems is to produce all roofing components without fibres. The MCR mix generally comprises 1 part cement to 2.5 parts river sand. For higher qualities, a mix of 1 part cement to 1 part quarry dust (or fine sharp sand) to 2.5 parts quarry stone of 3 to 4 mm (or similar small pebbles) is recommended.
The Moulding System
The profile of the tiles has been optimized to provide a closer fit at the overlaps (see profile sketches). This is achieved by making the crest of the tiles thinner (ie 6.5 mm) than the valley thickness (ie 9 mm). In order to obtain these different thicknesses, the screeding machine has a concave top and a moulding frame with a curved profile of 2 mm thickness. An additional advantage of this device is that the frame touches the screeding surface only along the narrow strip of 2 mm, avoiding the accumulation of motar under the frame, improving tile quality and increasing working speed.
The mothermoulds, which were previously made of concrete, are now of preformed plywood, in order to ensure greater uniformity and reduce weight. For the same reasons the grand mothermould has been omitted.
The machines are supplied together with a set of mothermoulds, with which two types of concrete moulds can be produced: with and without stacking brackets. Moulds with stacking brackets can be piled up in stacks of five tiles, while plain moulds, which are made much faster, are stacked in simple wooden frames.
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Technical Details |
ECO Systems Concrete Rooftile Machine | |
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Size of machine (length x width x height) |
65 x 45 x 1 5 cm (25 x 1 8 x 6 in) | |
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Weight of machine (combination machine) |
15 kg | |
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Size of crate for shipment |
80 x 76 x 25 cm (32 x 30 x 10 in) | |
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Weight of packed machine |
29 kg | |
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Standard tile size / weight |
60 x 28.5 x 0.65 cm (23.6 x 11.2 x 0.26 in) /2.45 kg | |
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Improved tile size / weight |
60 x 28.5 x 0.65/0.9 cm (23.6 x 11.2 x 0.26/0.35 in)/3.15kg | |
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Energy input |
manual | |
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No. of tiles per cycle/output rate |
1/30 - 60 tiles per hour | |
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Labour force required (incl. mixing and stacking) |
6 men | |
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Price (ex works) |
Standard tile machine |
250 US$ |
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Improved tile machine |
290 US$ |
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valid |
Combination machine for standard tile |
325 US$ |
|
June 1991 |
Mould and ridge machine |
245 US$ |
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Mother mould / Ridge mould |
22/8 US$ |
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Concrete mould |
0.5 US$ |
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Stacking frame |
10 US$ |
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