Design and Development of a Lifting Mechanism for Uncured Interlocking Bricks : A Case Study at Build up Nepal

Sammanfattning

The goal of this study has been to improve the handling of uncured interlocking CSEB/CCB bricks. This has been done by developing a mechanical solution that makes it easier to lift the bricks from the machine where they are produced, to the plywood plank where they will be left to dry. The proposed solution utilizes a mechanical clamping mechanism designed to grip the bricks along their long sides, minimizing stress on the bricks and reducing the risk of damage. It has been designed and evaluated with theoretical fields of design in mind, such as ergonomics and Human-Machine Systems. The study has been conducted at the company Build up Nepal, situated in Lalitpur, Nepal, which manufactures machinery and trains local entrepreneurs in brick production. Currently, bricks are manually lifted from the machine to the plywood plank, a process that is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and prone to damaging the bricks. Recent research suggests that increasing the water content in bricks can improve strength, reduce cement usage, and lower emissions. However, this also makes the bricks more difficult to handle, which emphasizes the need for a lifting aid. The development process began with a pre-study to assess user needs through machine analysis, observations, and storyboard techniques, resulting in a list of requirements. This was followed by a concept generation phase employing tools such as morphological matrices, braindrawing, and dark horse ideation, culminating in a single selected concept. The concept was then refined over many iterations, which included physical calculations, CAD modeling, physical prototyping, mechanical testing, and user evaluations. These efforts led to the finalized lifting solution, representing the primary outcome of this study.