Team Members & Role:

Malik Adams-Rosa: Team Lead

Timothy Gilbert: Fabrication Lead

Adam Nola: Design Lead

Lauren Stott: Evaluation Lead

Seamus Doyle: Analysis Lead

Abstract: Compressed Straw panels are an excellent carbon sink which can be used as insulation in the construction of housing to offset carbon emitted during the construction process. The Building Construction and Technology department here at UMass Amherst needs an innovative way to manufacture compressed straw panels for exterior wall insulation in housing construction. In future years, they will be aiding in the construction of housing by using a straw compression assembly to provide the insulation for the exterior walls in homes. Their current process is mostly manual, produces small sized panels, and is quite tedious. With their current process they can obtain a density of straw within the panel of 6.5 lb/ft3; however, research done by the department has suggested that a density of 7 lb/ft3 complemented with a parallel straw orientation is desirable. To address these issues, a straw compressor has been designed that will compress straw into a panel through a process that will be done in a timely manner, partly automated, produce larger sized panels, and obtain a uniform density of 7 lb/ft3. The machine has been designed to have interchangeable teeth attached to the compressor head, so that the machine assembly can have the ability to produce a variation of different sized panels. To remove the panel, there will be a removable back support so that the panel can be pushed out through the back side. Additionally, to make this machine transportable it has been designed to be as lightweight as possible while maintaining performance and safety.

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