This building material belongs to the class of "light" concrete and is very popular with private developers. And the reason is not only in many of the advantages that products differ. Ceramsite concrete blocks are also attractive because they can be organized independently by having simple equipment.
This is especially valuable if the delivery of products to the work site involves certain difficulties. For example, a large distance from the point of sale, which increases transportation costs, the difficulty of access to the place of unloading products and a number of others.
There is an opinion that "samopal" does not meet the requirements that are imposed on wall materials. This is not true. For such negative reviews, and in fact anti-advertising, first of all it is necessary to "thank" those private producers, and sometimes just "handicraftsmen", who do not pay attention to the manufacturing technology, since production requires a certain amount of time. For some of those who make the blocks are not "for themselves", the quality of products is not in the first place.
Yes, and many private developers are taking up the production, not having studied to the end all the recommendations and useful advice of specialists. If everything is done correctly, the result is excellent. By the way, wall blocks that are made independently can be much better in their characteristics than purchased ones, as some manufacturers do not simply not adhere to technology, but deliberately violate it in order to achieve a reduction in the cost of production and increase profitability of sales.
It is clear that for the self-production of claydite-concrete products you need raw materials and appropriate equipment. Let us dwell on them in more detail.
Materials
The main components are granulated calcined clay( filler) and binder( a mixture of cement and water).To improve the quality of the finished product, various additives( mainly plasticizers) are used. The latter should be used if the production area occupies a small area. Plasticizers contribute to the earlier strengthening of claydite blocks, therefore, they will not "lay" on the site, but rather go into action.
As for cement, experts recommend the M400.If the other is used, then the proportion of the components should be recalculated. For example, if you use the brand "300", then its share should be increased( by about 15%).Read more about cement brands here.
Hardware
Machine
There are quite a few models on the market. It is necessary to proceed from the purpose for which the equipment is intended.
One thing - to build a house, and another - to establish their own small production. Masters-practitioners say that today there are many good domestic installations and do not recommend "chasing" for imported equipment. The money spent on it is unlikely to justify itself, since there is no need to expect any "super-effect" from them.
What is the "plus" purchase of equipment?
- The complete documentation package is also supplied with it. And not only on the "mechanics", but also on the technology of production.
- Purchase implies the possibility of both obtaining comprehensive advice and technical support. At least during the warranty period. Although a serious Manufacturer will not "abandon" its Buyer at the end of this period, having concluded the Contract for post-warranty service.
- You can also make special orders if you need some non-standard equipment. It will cost a bit more, but it will solve a lot of problems, because during the construction you will need products of different sizes.
With good workload, these units pay for themselves in less than a year. In addition, the shakers are used not only for the production of expanded clay blocks. In a sense, they are universal in use - suitable for the manufacture of slag blocks and a number of other products.
Not for advertising, but only as a "visual aid", so that the reader can navigate the cost of the appropriate mechanisms, several examples.
"Hephaestus-1"
This plant is able to "give out" up to 160 items with parameters 39 × 19х19 cm for one 8-hour working day. It does not occupy a large space( 0.06 m3), and its weight( 21 kg) allowscarry it alone, which makes it possible to work without an assistant. Production of blocks is carried out for 1 pc.at a time. The kit includes a vibration cover, 1 form and additional elements for internal equipment.
The price is 8 850 rubles.
There are also more productive installations of this brand, which allow simultaneous manufacturing of several units. But their cost is naturally higher. For example, a product for 3 forms will cost 22 900 rubles. In addition to them, there are special devices in the kit that allow making hollow blocks. If you need a device for 6 forms, it will cost about 2,000 more expensive.
"Strom"
These are models with more performance( from 400 to 1 200 pieces per shift).
The cost is within( for the kit) 13 850 - 28 600 rubles.
"RMU" series vibrators
It stands for "hand-held small-sized installation".Its dimensions and weight allow carrying the product in the trunk of the car. Power does not exceed 200 watts. Operate from a conventional single-phase 220V power outlet.
Model "1" costs 13,000 rubles, "2" - 15,980 rubles, "3" - 18,790 rubles.
You can use cheaper devices - shaker( described here), but the quality of the finished product will be much lower.
Concrete mixer
If the production volume is planned to be small, it is enough if the capacity of the drum is from 0.2 to 0.5 m3.For "on-line" manufacturing, a more overall model is chosen.
The cost of the cheapest electric vehicles starts from about 6,000 rubles( the drum volume is 65 - 70 liters).For individual construction is enough.
It should be noted that with manual batch, the quality of the obtained composition will be low, which will affect the characteristics of ready-made expanded clay blocks.
In addition to equipment, you will need:
- production room. Requirements - effective ventilation and heating( if the production is planned to be organized all-the-year-round);
- platform for drying products( blocks should be sheltered or canopy, or film).If for sale, then you need a "mini-warehouse";
- industrial power supply.
Recommendations
- When purchasing equipment, you need to see if the inserts for the production of hollow blocks are included. These are very useful devices.
- It is better if the molds for pouring the mortar are separable. This will allow the production of blocks with surfaces without defects that appear when they are cut.
- For small businesses, it is advisable to buy a production line, which is already equipped with everything necessary. But the average cost of such sets is about 1 000 000 rubles. However, the costs can be reduced by about half if you assemble it yourself from separately purchased units.
