Bici Desgranadora de Maíz

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Bici-Tec distributes the product directly and works with community leaders to distribute it.^{Interview with representative in 2018}

Manufacturing/Building Method

The Bici Desgranadora is made from bicycle received as donation from the US and Canada, bicycles that cannot be reconditioned are dismantled with certain parts (pedals, bicycle frames, etc) used in designing the pedal powered bicycle corn thresher. Materials are sourced locally and incorporated in the building of the equipment. The metal frame for example is welded together to the other engineered parts like the seats which is made from plywood. The flywheel is made by adding cement to the mould of the wheel. The equipment can be ordered and made to specification of the client, thus the building methods are half artisanal and half industrial.

Intellectural Property Type

Open Source

User Provision Model

Direct from manufacturer, to place an order call Carlos Marroquin at +502 4080 1572 or reach out to the company through their Facebook page

Distributions to Date Status

~2,000 ^{Interview with representative at 2018}

Design Specifications

The product is stationary and pedal powered, it requires no electricity to be operated. It is made from used bicycle parts such as pedals, frame, chains and handles. The pedaling system is connected to a cement flywheel to facilitate continuous pedaling and uses sprockets' diameter relation to vary speed and torque. The system is connected to a corn sheller in a position where the same person pedaling can feed it.^{Interview with representative in 2018}

Technical Support

Bici-Tec trains users upon delivering the product on maintenance and preventive measures to ensure product durability. If needed Bici-Tec can also do any repairs or additional technical support.^{Interview with representative in 2018}

Replacement Components

Available at Bici-Tec and locally available at bike shops.^{Interview with representative}

Lifecycle

The product can be reused afterwards to make more bici maquinas or recycled at a common recycling center since most of the structure is steel.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

It can shell up to 200 pounds of corn in one day

Vetted Performance Status

According to users it can shell between 1,500 and 2,000 pounds a day if used from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, family members take turns pedaling. This is 7 times faster than manual shelling. ^{User experience report}

Safety

As the components are mainly assembled through welding, there is a risk of injury if components are not properly welded together or the welding weaken.

Complementary Technical Systems

Bici-Tec teaches, empowers, and encourages people to use pedal powered machines (bici maquinas) through their school Escuela De Bici-Tecnología Apropriada

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

Unknown

Other Information

There is a user experience report available.