In today's blog I am going show you our step-by-step process of making hollow blocks using the manual operated hollow blocks machine maker.
Materials:
Cement
Limestone
Water
Molasses as air entraining agent
Hollow block machine maker
Tarima a well-measured iron that will hold and support the hollow block in place
limestone
This is the tarima or plank placed in a container with oil as a lubricant.
This is the Manual operated Hollow block machine maker run by electricity. It can produce #4x8x16 inches hollow block.
Procedure:
1.Prepare all the materials needed. In one sack of cement (any brand of cement will do) mix it with 18 sacks of limestone and a water containing ½ liter of molasses. Molasses is used as air-entraining agent (Air entrainment makes concrete more workable during placement, and increases its durability when hardened)
Source:Wikipedia
2.Mix thoroughly the cement and limestone. Then pour water containing molasses into the mixture. Mix it thoroughly using a shovel, and make sure your mixture is not so damp. After mixing you need to prepare the hollow block machine maker. The tarima should be put in its designated place as shown in the picture.
3.Pour the mixture into the square-sized molder of the machine.
4.Start up the machine until the mixture is thoroughly shake or agitate to the molder and the concrete settle together and at the extreme ends.
5.Pull it out from the molder and hold the molded block under to where the tarima or the plank is, to avoid the hollow block from breaking.
As you can see in the picture the tarima is attached under it to keep the block in place.
6.Place it in an area that will be exposed to direct sunlight. Let it stay for 20-24 hours before picking.
This method of drying is extremely dangerous and risky, especially when it rains, because the molded block might be shattered by the pouring rain. As a result, we cover it with a waterproof sheet in the evening to protect it from surprise rain showers.
7.On the next day, the block can be picked up and put it together with the other blocks, but you will have to wait another day for it to be delivered since the blocks need to be exposed to the sun for a week in order to harden completely.
That's all for today's posting, guys. I sincerely hope you learn something useful from my blog. It would be my pleasure to respond to your queries, if you have any.
See you next time!!!!