Mud Brick Press

[MacMurphy]

I am looking at building a simple hydraulic mud brick press however I have never constructed anything using hydraulics before.

The proposed press would require two rams one to compress the brick and the other to slide the base plate to open and close the compression chamber so the press brick can be ejected after compression.

Is there a resouce anyone can point me towards so that I can learn more.

As the process simply repeats over and over for each brick I would like to automate the cycles:
1) Raise compression ram
2) Close base plate
3) Fill soil
4) Lower compression ram - compress brick (cut out at X psi)
5) Open base plate
6) Lower compression ram further - eject brick

How can I program the hydraulic rams so that the above sequence is followed ? Is there a PC type interface available ?

Any help here would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks

Murphy

 

[Charolais]

It can be done with a PLC (programmable logic controller). If you know how to program ladder logic or learn it. (xic,xio,ote, otl,otu and many other timing and counter functions that are there for the user) Your hydraulic valves would have to be ele. solenoid. (12 vdc,24vdc or 120 are the most used) Pick a voltage that you can use and then match it with the output cards if you purchase a small PLC.

I work with AllenBradley PLC's in my workplace. Slick 5, AB 6200, RS 500 and RS 5000. There are many other brands. First one that comes to mind is Idec. They make a small plc that has a hand held programmer. Some are small enough to put in your shirt pocket. Some are around $100 and the larger units are $$$$$$.

With Allen Bradley to use a pc interface you'll need some very expensive software.(data highway, Ethernet and I'm sure there are others) That's if you have more than one plc processor and need to link them and program from a central point. For a small operation the hand held programmer and a small plc may be less that $500. I haven't checked prices lately.

If you're looking to automate and do repeat functions the plc is the way to go. If you need help pm me and maybe I can answer more questions and put you in touch with more help.

 

[MacMurphy]

Excellent Charolais, this is exactly the sort of thing I was looking for. After a bit of research I found the following unit:
www.oceancontrols.com.au/plc/fab_plc.htm

I am guessing the relay outputs would control the solenoids for the spool valves.

I also need to include some sensors that can validate steps in the process before performing the next step, such as check the base plate has closed before compressing the soil. These sensors would interface via the unit's digital inputs channels.

Are there specific types of sensors for use with hydraulic equipment or are they simply any old digital switch etc ?

Thanks once again

Murphy

 

[Charolais]

The output card with relays will work fine. For each output there should be a fuse protection and standard is 3 amp. Some types of output cards use one fuse for the whole card. There's also contact output cards.

Sensors will be connected and programmed to the input cards. For that type operation prox. switches, pressure switches or just plain whisker limit switches may be used. And I'm sure there are others(maybe photo eyes). Those three are the most common. Just need to match the voltage of the sensors to the plc voltage.

You're on the right track. And with a logic controller it'll be much easier to trouble shoot once in operation and even for the set up. Saves a lot of time. Good luck with your project.

 

[forgeblast]

Its funny that you posted this, because i was going to ask if anyone had made a paper brick press. i found a link of one, it may be useful to you. doesnt look too hard to make.
http://www.newdawnengineering.com/website/paper/brick/paperbrick.htm
enjoy
forgeblast