Introduction
The MultiMachine is a multi purpose machine tool* that a semi-skilled mechanic with just
regular hand tools can build using scrap car and truck parts. Electric power is not needed.
In Developing Countries, the MultiMachine has the potential for saving or improving the lives of
many thousands of people. These machines can be used in many ways:
In the health sector by its use in building water pumps, filters, water well drilling rigs and
hospital furnishings.
In agriculture by its use in building farm machinery and irrigation pumps.
In transportation by its use in building and repairing parts for vehicles.
In communications by its use as as a cell phone charging station.
In village life by being a source of battery power for home lighting.
In education by providing vocational education students with machine tools that they build
themselves and then are able to take back to their villages when they graduate.
It could provide a local self supporting infrastructure that would be available to keep water and
irrigation pumps in repair. Many NGOs go to great effort and expense to drill water wells and
provide pumps in rural areas of underdeveloped countries. These pumps often fail because there
is no person able to repair them. A small MultiMachine based business could provide a pump
repairman with the means to earn a living in an area where these pumps and wells are used. The
pump repairman could support himself by doing machine shop type jobs like making and
sharpening agricultural tools and equipment and resurfacing vehicle flywheels, brake drums and
disks.
Machine tools often draw power intermittently from gas or diesel engines or electric motors. Any
surplus power could run a welding machine built from a vehicle alternator and also recharge
batteries that in turn could be used for home lighting or recharging cell phone batteries.
The combination of a MultiMachine and a welder can be used to build different types of metal
bending and rolling machines that can be used to manufacture fuel efficient cook stoves, pots,
pans and similar products.
The MultiMachine also provides a way to machine simple zinc and aluminum castings made
from the metal found in old car parts. Without this machining, the castings are of limited use but
simple machining can turn them into hundreds of different kinds of products.
Vocational education takes "hands on" learning. Few vocational schools in developing countries
have sufficient numbers of the machine tools that are necessary for training students. This is no
problem with student built MultiMachines.
* A machine tool is a powered mechanical device, typically used to fabricate metal
components
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