Development of the Kawayan Tile Maker

Zafaralla and Malab (MMSU) developed a machine called "kawayan tile maker" (KTM) for processing bamboo butts into solid flat bamboo tiles suitable for flooring, parquet, panels, furniture, and handicraft.

The machine has five major operations with only one source of power: crosscutting, knot removing, width sizing, thickness sizing, and tile length cutting. The machine can produce tiles of 20-30 cm wide x 10 mm wide x 100 mm long in 25 seconds with a precision of 86-92%. The conversion output per butt is 69%. Only one operator is needed to operate the machine.

The eventual commercialization of the machine can benefit small-scale bamboo farmers since the cost of fabricating the machine is only US$538.46 or approximately Php28,000.

The machine is designed for village operations and is for pilot testing in areas with sufficient bamboo standes. Alongside is the promotion of bamboo tiles as construction and architectural materials as well as material for the furniture and handicraft industries.

Source: PCARRD, 2003. Highlights 2002, Los Baños, Laguna, 214p.