In 2005, CBC Cork sent their second delegation to Zambia.
Br. Dermot had a very good idea for a use for the money CBC had raised during the year. CBC funds were used to purchase, among other things, a Hydroform brick-making machine from South Africa.
How Bricks Are Made
2. Cement and a little water are added to make the mix.
Most blocks (for walls of houses) are made from a mix of one bag of cement added to 10 wheel-barrow loads of clay.
Foundation Blocks need to be stronger; one bag of cement is added to every 6 wheel-barrowfuls of clay.
The heap is mixed thoroughly with shovels.
3. A measured amount of this loose mixture is poured into the brick-making machine.
4. Compression
Delivery Compartment is slid across to allow mix to fall into the Brick-Making Chamber.
The chamber is designed to create blocks that gel together like Lego, eliminating the need for laying cement between blocks when bricklaying.
A hydraulically-controlled arm squashes the mix in Brick Compartment into a brick shape.
Click here to play a 30 sec avi video of Brick-Making
(May not play on some computers)
5. Drying
Blocks are brushed, removed from the machine and placed under plastic covering for a few days.
After a few weeks of drying under sunlight they are ready to be used to build houses and shelter for the community!
