Pact 500 mechanical press

Manufacturer
ALTECH - Societe Alpine
de Technologies Nouvelles
Rue des Cordeliers
F-05200 Embrun
France
Tel. 92 43 21 90
Tlx. 420 719

Description

The PACT 500 is a further development of the PACT 315, which was first produced in 1983, and conceived for high-output site production of superior quality compressed soil blocks.

The machine is a motorized press, powered by a 2 hp electric motor. It has a fixed hopper and a 4-station rotating plate, which is either turned manually or motor driven. A chassis with removable wheels and pole for low speed hauling, as well as pneumatic brickyard wheels instead of two feet are delivered with each machine.

The blocks are compressed by a vertical stroke piston which is operated mechanically by a cam, achieving a maximum pressure of 8 N/mm². Each stroke is monitored by springs for compensation and an electronic torque [imitator. Special consideration has also been given to safety precautions, the most clearly visible one being the protective screen around the moving parts around the top of the rotating plate.

A variety of moulds is available for different block sizes. For each new block size, the four moulds, the two pistons (compacting and ejecting), the reception pallet (for removal of blocks) and the porch height wedges have to be changed. The whole operation takes about 40 minutes.

The type of electric motor, either 220V (mono) or 380 V (three phase) is optional.

ALTECH Training Program

The efficiency of production and the quality of the products depend largely on the know-how and skill of the operators and the organization of the production site.

ALTECH offers practical training courses for all those concerned with stabilized or unstabilized compressed soil block production and utilization. The courses are tailored to the requirements of the trainees, taking into account their level of know-how and skills.

The courses generally cover:

· selection and excavation of appropriate soils;

· preparation of the most suitable soil mix;

· production of compacted blocks with the PACT 500, stacking and curing of blocks;

· site organization;

· principles of design and construction of buildings made with earth blocks.

Operating the PACT 500

The hopper is filled either manually by means of shovels, or through a continuous supply discharged from the mixer, positioned at a higher level (eg on a trailer or truck), so that the hopper is fed by gravitation.

The moulds have only vertical parallel sides and arc open at the bottom. The soil rests on the fixed table (under the rotating plate) and slides along it, when the plate moves.

Once the mould under the hopper is filled, it is turned 90° to the next station, thereby levelling the top surface to obtain a uniform volumetric dosage, which is exposed for inspection by the worker in charge of the machine operation controls.

At the next station, the block is compacted by the mechanical press, which takes S seconds to complete. This determines the minimum duration of the fuming out cycle, which is 6 seconds achieving a maximum theoretical output of 600 blocks per hour.

At the last station, the block is pushed by a vertical stroke piston downwards through the open mould base onto a small pallet with a hinged arm. The weight of the block makes the arm tilt out for easy removal of the finished block, after which the pallet moves back to receive the next block.

The only maintenance requirements are weekly greasing of bearings and sliding parts.

Technical Details