Product Ecologies

Introduction

Product ecologies illustrate how the different tools of the GVCS work together. For example, motors, power units, and implements interchange within the tractor, microtractor, car, truck, fabrication, and bulldozer infrastructures. Ecologies can also refer to the way in which a set of tools can be put together to produce a wide array of products - such as the induction furnace contributing to the production of tractor parts, construction roofing, or wire.

Note also: the materials ecology shown on this page should be compared to and integrated with the Solar Economy flow graphic here

Product Ecologies

There is a number of product ecologies that can be drawn up:

Overview of Ecologies

General Fabrication Ecology

Solar Energy Ecology

Construction Ecology

Agriculture Ecology

Power Cube Ecology

Materials Ecology

Hot Metal Processing Ecology

Custom Fabrication Ecology - basic custom fabrication minus full fab lab lab capacity

Electrical Power Ecology

Fabrication Automation Ecology

Implements Ecology

Universal Auger Ecology

Universal Power Supply Ecology

50 GVCS Tools

1-CEB Press - a high performance machine for producing compressed earth block from onsite soil, at production rates of up to 16 bricks per minute http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/compressed-earth-brick-press.png

2-Tractor – a versatile, 4-wheel drive, hydraulically-driven, skid-steering tractor with 18 to 200 horsepower capacity for agriculture, construction and other utility duties. http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/lifetrac.png

3-Microtractor - a small, 18 hp version of the full-sized tractor for powering a wide range of implements in agriculture and utility duties http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/microtrac.png

4-Bulldozer – A bulldozer is a high-traction, high power (54-200 hp) earth-moving machine indispensible for building ponds, berms, and other permacultural earthforms, as well as for other tasks such as building roads or clearing land. http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/bulldozer.png

5-Power Cube - a multipurpose, self-contained, hydraulic power power unit that consisting of an engine coupled to a hydraulic pump http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/powercube.png

6-Multimachine - a multipurpose, precision CNC machining and metal cutting device for making precision parts http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/multimachine.png

7-Ironworker Machine - a device that can instantly cut steel and punch holes in metal thicknesses of 1” http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/ironworker.png

8-CNC/Torch Table – a computer-controlled cutting table for metal where a moving torch head is used to produce precision metal parts in a fraction of the time that it takes to do so manually http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/torch-table.png

9-3D Printer - an additive manufacturing technology where a three dimensional object is printed by laying down successive layers of material, just like a printer except in 3D http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/3d-printer.png

10-3D Scanner - A 3D scanner is a device that can generate a 3D digital scan from a real-life object, where the file can be used to reproduce the object in 3D with a device such as the 3D printer. http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/3d-scanner.png

11-CNC Circuit Mill – A CNC Circuit mill is a computer-controlled device that can produce electrical circuits by milling and drilling on copper-clad circuit boards. http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/circuit-mill.png

12- Industrial Robot - a robotic arm which can perform certain human tasks - such as welding or milling – for performing tasks that are not better done by humans http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/robotic-arm.png

13-Laser Cutter – an industrial machine that can make precision, finish cuts in a wide array of substrates, such as metal http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/laser-cutter.png

14-Open Source Welder - a device used to make strong, permanent bonds in metal by melting and fusing the metal http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/mig-welder.png

15-Plasma Cutter - a device to cut metal using a plasma torch http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/plasma-cutter.png

16-Induction Furnace - an electrical furnace in which the heat is applied by induction heating of metal, providing clean, versatile, compact, energy-efficient, and well-controlled melting compared to flame heating http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/induction-furnace.png

17-Metal Rolling - a metal forming process in which metal stock is passed through a pair of rolls to produce a desired shape, such as flat bar, angle, or u-channel http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/metal-rolling-machine.png

18-Rod and Wire Mill - a subset of metal rolling, used to make shafts, rebar, thin rods, and down to wire. http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/wire-n-rod-mill.png

19-Press Forge - shaping of metal by the application of a shaping die and a continuous pressure or force. http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/forge.png

20-Modern Steam Engine - an engine where an external heat source is used to turn water into steam, and the steam in turn moves reciprocating pistons to provide shaft power http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/steam-engine.png

21-Gasifier burner – A gasifier burner is a clean and efficient burner that gasifies the material that is being burned prior to combustion http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/gasifier-burner.png

22-Steam Generator - a device that generates steam from water that is passed through externally-heated coils http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/steam-generator.png

23- Linear Solar Concentrator – a linear device which concentrates solar radiation onto a linear target http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/solar-concentrator.png

24-50 kW Wind Turbine – a device that produces electrical power from wind energy http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/wind-turbine.png

25-Aluminum Extractor from Clay – a device that produces aluminum from clay by dissolving the aluminum from aluminosilicate (clay), and then electrolyzing the resulting compound to form pure aluminum http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/alluminum-extractor.png

26-Pelletizer - a device that compresses shredded pieces of biomass or other substances to compact, flowable pellets http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/pelletizer.png

27-Universal Seeder - a tractor-pulled seeder than can plant any seed, from small seeds like clover to large seeds such as potatoes http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/universal-seeder.png

28-Rototiller and Soil Pulverizer - a tractor implement that tills soil with blades via rotary action http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/pulverizer-tiller.png

29-Spader - a set of mechanical shovels that prepare soil for planting without causing a hardpan typical of rototiller tilling http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/spader.png

30-Microcombine - a small-scale harvester-thresher for mechanical harvesting of any grain crops, with a cutting swath of about 3 feet in width http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/microcombine.png

31-Universal Rotor - a tractor-mounted rotor that can be fitted with a wide array of toolheads, such as String Trimmer, posthole digger, tree planting auger, slurry mixer, or many others. http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/universal-rotor.png

32-Baler - a device that compresses hay and other light and dispersed materials into more compact bales http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/baler.png

33-Hay Rake - a mechanical implement for a tractor that rakes hay or other light materials into windrows or other formations for drying or baling. http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/hay-rake.png

34-Hay Cutter -a device that cuts grass, hay, straw, or other light biomass for haying, baling, or combining http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/hay-cutter.png

35-Backhoe - a piece of excavating equipment or digger consisting of a digging bucket on the end of a two-part articulated arm for digging trenches or large holes http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/backhoe.png

36-Chipper/Hammermill – a machine used for reducing wood or other materials into smaller parts, such as chips or shreds . http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/chipper-hammermill.png

37-Trencher - a piece of construction equipment that uses a cutting wheel for digging trenches, or laying pipe, cable, or drainage http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/trencher.png

38-Open Source Automobile - a wheeled motor vehicle for transporting passengers. http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/automobile.png

39 – Open Source Truck - a larger version of an automobile with a bed for trasporting heavier loads. http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/truck.png

40-Dimensional Sawmill - a dimensional sawmill is a circular blade sawmill with 2 blades that is used for producing dimensional lumber. http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/sawmill.png

41-Cement Mixer - a device that homogeneously combines cement, aggregate such as sand or gravel, and water to form concrete. http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/cement-mixer.png

42-Well-Drilling Rig - a device for digging deep water wells http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/well-drilling-rig.png

43-Bakery Oven – device for heating various forms of dough into breads and other baked goods http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/industrial-bread-oven.png

44-Dairy Milker – device which harvests milk automatically from milk-producing livestock http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/milking-machine.png

45-Electric Motor/Generator - a device that functions as a DC motor when energized with DC voltage, which can also function as an electrical generator when it is spun. http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/electric-motor-generator.png

46-Hydraulic Motors - a mechanical actuator that converts hydraulic pressure and flow into torque and angular displacement (rotation) http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/hydraulic-motor.png

47 – Bioplastic Extruder – An extruder takes a charge of plastic and extrudes a sheet or other profile of useful form, such as greenhouse glazing or water tubing http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/plastic-extruder.png

48 – Universal Power Supply (UPS) - This is a combination power supply for applications from off-grid power to supplying power to welders, induction furnaces, and plasma cutters. http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/universal-power-supply.png

49 – Nickel Iron Batteries – long-life batteries that have a track record of lasting 50 or more years http://openfarmtech.org/temp-gvcs-icons/nickel-iron-batteries.png

Links

• Factor e Live Distillations video on product ecologies from 2009 - this has been updated in Proposal 2012