4.2 Evaluation of experiences

The 13 questionnaires reporting on sheetmaking, refer not 10 one single method, but rather a variety of slightly different processes. However, with the exception of one respondent who produces fibre-cement sheets without sand (not fibre-concrete) all the others can be treated similarly, as they are variations of one process.

The 4 reports on tiles work according to the specifications of the manufacturer of the equipment.

Equipment

Simple masonry tools- shovels, sieves, trowels - are the basic equipment needed. In addition, some kind of work platform, frame, plastic sheets and moulds are needed.

Most sheetmakers report using manual tables, though three use vibrating tables. The design of the table does not determine the quality of the product, with the possible exception of a vibrating table which would be an important improvement if it works according to specifications.

Working procedures

Again in sheetmaking several slightly different modes working are reported, but it may be said that it is not the fact how the components were mixed, but rather that they were well mixed which determines the quality of the product.

It is in the field of quality control where the answers are very different from one questionnaire to another and it is obvious that here much has to be improved.

Only two questionnaires report on daily quality control, in one case they do it weekly and in one biweekly. The other reports are spacing the controls wider apart or do not do them regularly. Coconut con and sisal are the most widely used fibres, jute or Indigenous grasses being used In three Instances.