Semi-Automatic Octopus II Cubing System

Drum Tumbling Aging System

Description

Octopus II marks a step in the evolution of the original Octopus re-cubing system for tumbled pavers. The basic concept is the same: both products use the most ergonomic movement possible to pull a product on a powered conveyor against a buttress. Octopus II not only handles pavers but also SRW blocks of any complexity.

Octopus II uses a carousel turntable that acts as a buffer station, letting the operator either pick a product or let go of it for later use in a pattern. Octopus II further improves efficiency by letting the operator choose products that are already positioned properly to fit a pattern.

Productivity of Octopus II

• To re-cube retaining wall blocks: 10-15 cubes per hour with two operators (depends on product complexity)
• To re-cube pavers: approx. 1,100-1,500 square feet per hour with two operators (depends on product complexity)

Cost & Payback Comparison

Cubing Systems	Men required	Hourly rate	Cost/ shift	Sq.ft. shift	Cost/ sq.ft.	Savings per shift	Number of months before breakeven*
Manual	6	$18	$864	7,200	$0.12	n/a	n/a
Squidly semi-automatic using single length pavers	2	$20	$320	8,000	$0.04	$640	5 to 7
Squidly semi-automatic using multi-length pavers	2	$20	$320	6,400	$0.05	$448	7 to 9
Squidly Plus automatic using single length pavers	2	$20	$320	16,000	$0.02	$1,600	5 to 8
Squidly Plus automatic using multi-length pavers	2	$20	$320	16,000	$0.02	$1,600	7 to 10
Octopus II single size pavers	2	$20	$320	12,000	$0.03	$1,120	7 to 9
Octopus II multi-size pavers	2	$20	$320	9,000	$0.04	$760	7 to 11
* Based on 16 hours daily production.