BLM-12-8M by EarthTek Inc.

Target SDGs

Market Suggested Retail Price

$9,000.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

The manufacturer requires potential customers to contact them to receive a quotation for the product.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include Hydraform M9, AECT Impact 2001A Compressed Earth Block Machine, and Terrabric 2B.

Manufacturing/Building Method

Machines are built to order. The way that the earth construction and these machines work are introduced in this video.

Intellectural Property Type

Trade Secret

User Provision Model

A user can contact EarthTek Inc. to receive a quote or purchase the product. The unit can be crated economically for shipping. ^{Interview with manufacturer}

Distributions to Date Status

Approximately 200 units have been distributed by 2019. Interview with manufacturer

Design Specifications

Design specifications::

• Production Rate: up to 2 blocks per minute.
• Block Size: 10x20x30 cm (width adjustable to 5cm)
• Engine: 6 HP gasoline-fueled engine
• Controls: Manual
• Hydraulic Components: Prince, Barnes; available worldwide
• Hydraulic Oil Filtration: 10 microns
• Pressure to Block: up to 10 MPa
• Single axle for highway transportation
• 6-10% water content
• 20-70% Clay content
• Training not required but suggested by the manufacturer

Product Schematics

Technical Support

The manufacturer offers consultation, training, and project management by contract and will train a customer to use the machine if they come to their facility in New Mexico, USA. A trained general technician can most likely repair the product.

Replacement Components

Spare tires, wheels, and axles are available with purchase.

Lifecycle

The life span of the machine is directly proportionate to the abrasiveness of the dirt used for compression. EarthTek estimates 50,000 - 500,000 blocks/life. All machines have a 1-year warranty.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Performance expectations: Reliable, inexpensive engines, simple hydraulic and control systems, able to use a wide variety of soils to build homes, barns, storage sheds, fences, retaining walls, and more.

Vetted Performance Status

The only vetting performed is through customer experience and feedback.^{Interview with manufacturer}

Safety

Blocks require specific material amounts and ratios to ensure proper strength and durability values. Water content, clay content, and sand content are important values that need to be evaluated during construction to avoid accidental failure of the structure.

Complementary Technical Systems

A 1.5 or 3-meter gravity conveyor belt can be purchased with the machine.

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

Unknown

Other Information

You can find a Video of BLM-12-8MB in use. There is also a Video presentation of EarthTek.