The Liberator User Agreement

The Liberator Full Product Release User Agreement and Release Waiver Definitions This agreement defines the terms and conditions, rights, duties, responsibilities, and obligations regarding The Liberator Beta v2.0 open source, high-performance, Compressed Earth Brick (CEB) press, herein 'Machine.' This agreement is between Open Source Ecology (OSE), represented by Marcin Jakubowski, Ph.D., herein 'Producer', and _______________, herein 'User'. Any other person using this Machine is called 'Beneficiary.' Further supporting information is found at the wiki, at http://openfarmtech.org.

Introduction, Philosophy, and OSE License

Completion of The Liberator Beta v2.0 marks the first, Full Product Release of Open Source Ecology (OSE). Herein we clarify our intentions and strategic issues behind this product, such that any user or beneficiary of OSE's work, as well as any third party intermediary, may understand our work and intent more completely.

OSE is a non-governmental organization formed for the purpose of active development of resilient communities and economies. We are best described as an open source product development or an open source economic development entity, working for the interest of all of humanity. Our particular approach is addressing the issue of effective production, as a foundation for creating post-scarcity economies. This implies thorough evolution of macro-social psychology towards the acceptance of a post-scarcity mindset - namely, that we can all get along, and that 'there's enough for everybody'. To date, civilization has failed in addressing these fundamental points. While addressing these points requires the maturing or evolution of people on psychological and spiritual fields, we believe that addressing the physical needs of humans effectively can be a direct route to promoting such evolution. This belief constitutes a motivation for our approach of developing effective tools of production. We believe further that if material constraints or physical needs were removed as the fundamental struggle of humans, then humanity would begin to have a chance to evolve - to freedom.

With the above philosophy in mind, OSE has set out to open-source key tools for producing the infrastructures for living and working. Our open source work starts with open-sourcing designs for the tools of interest, and it continues to the open sourcing of the actual business model. Our aim is replication - that of productive enterprise being replicated by a diversity of producers. This is the essence of free enterprise, defined as non-monopolistic production by a large number of stakeholders. We aim to encourage competition, and not to suppress it. Our aim is the distribution of economic power to many people, along the lines of Jeffersonian democracy. We believe that scarce resources are not necessary to fuel advanced civilization, as human needs and societal advancement can be fueled by widespread, local resources - under the assumption of wise technology use.

We set forth these principles as our underlying motivations. We can only encourage adopters of our work - and those who replicate open enterprise - to contribute their improvements, and especially their business models, back to the commons. We do not require it, however, as we do not believe in coercion - defined as acting against one's own will, even if it is done contractually. We have produced our designs by standing on the shoulders of giants before us, and we do not claim any of our work to be original. We also feel that to claim originality as such is arrogance of ego, and that those pursuing patents to protect 'their' inventions are lacking in human spirit.

We believe that 'sharing' is accomplished most directly by sharing not the 'fish', but by sharing the 'fishing pole.' In particular, that 'fishing pole' is the open product design - the tool that allows one to reproduce the item of interest by using that tool. Even beyond the 'fishing pole' are 'instructions' on how to produce the 'fishing pole' for others not capable of producing the fishing pole by themselves. The analogue of these 'instructions,' in the economic sense, is the open source business model. If we  were to apply ancient wisdom of 'sharing' to the digital age - then we would share open source business models.

That sums up our beliefs on a tactical approach for bringing about post-scarcity economics. We are using this work to bootstrap-fund further product developments, and all of our energy goes to such development. Our goal is to become a world-class effort recognized for its merits in contributing to open source economic development. We are positioning our marketing strategy to underscore this point. If you support our work, you are contributing directly to the above stated goals. Our leadership prides itself in its integrity, honor, and commitment to effective development of post-scarcity economics by developing open source versions of key, economically-significant tools for the advancement of civilization without geopolitical compromise.

If you like our work, consider buying our products. If you are not interested in our products but want to see more open source product designs becoming available for addressing pressing world issues, then consider subscribing to the True Fans by going to Support OSE at http://openfarmtech.org. We also need help with documentation (CAD, fabrication drawings, technical writing), Product Release CDs, branding, marketing, publicity, and general resource development. If you have these skills, please contact us.

We also believe that achieving post-scarcity economics is not a far-fetched goal. The number of goods and services that humans need is well-bounded, and likewise, the Global Village Construction Set is well-bounded - with only 40 key technologies. Since these are generative in nature, we believe that open-sourcing them is sufficient to create advanced, post-scarcity civilization. It will take about US$2M total to develop all the tools within a 5 year period as of the present date. Once that is done, our work is done, and we can move on to more interesting pursuits as well, knowing that the world is in good hands on the material front.

We are interested in helping you directly with enterprise replication, under the condition that you also contribute to open source product development of enabling technologies for post-scarcity, resilient communities.

We believe that giving our business models away helps us, as opposed to hurting our efforts. On the practical side, we know that we can always produce and capture the high value of effective production - and we have competitive edge because of primacy on the topic. We do not intend to compete with remote efforts, simply because it is wasteful to transport things over long distance. We are not threatened by monopolies, first because we are not for sale, and second, for practical reasons of transportation costs, quality of service, ethics, and primacy.

We provide our products under the OSE Label. This is branding intended to verify the desirable features promoted by OSE, or OSE Specifications. The OSE Label provides transparent documentation and a score, provided on the label, with a respective logo for each product release. The qualities documented on the label include: localization of production; availability of documentation (plans, fabrication procedure, open business model, user manual, product release CD, etc); lifetime design (design for disassembly, modularity, interchangeability of parts); systems design; ecological soundness; etc.). We are open to others producing under this label as well, if the producer is able to meet OSE Specifications to a degree equivalent or greater than our own product. The OSE Label will be administered by OSE or a collaborating organization.

We also hereby declare that all hacker spaces are authorized resellers of our products. This is a means for other allied efforts to earn from our efforts as well. The details will be negotiated on a case by case basis, so please contact us if you are interested in helping our work.

We believe that 'saving the world' is a tangible concept which requires that we simply become responsible for production, to the point that we generate widespread access to post-scarcity means of production. This is a heavy task for a world indoctrinated with dependence, illiteracy, alienation, and impotence - but we also believe that this can turn around completely within a generation. We believe that getting to the point of post-scarcity, resilient communities is a 5 year task requiring a budget under US$5M, and that new economies and means of exchange are around the corner for our taking if we choose to do so.

Producer Responsibilities

The Producer assumes full liability for producing a machine with a stated performance of at least 13 bricks per minute with under 28 gallon per minute hydraulic fluid flow at 2200 PSI. The Producer also assumes full responsibility for producing documentation sufficient to instruct a novice on proper use, maintenance, and safety precautions for the Machine. The Producer also takes full responsibility for producing a safe Machine free of workmanship defects that can compromise safety of the Machine, without assigning this liability to any third party entities (insurance companies), by addressing all safety issues to the point that if the stated operating instructions and safety precautions are followed, the risk of harm, injury, or death to the user is negligible. The Producer also agrees to accept, voluntarily, full responsibility for honorable, good-faith resolution of or assistance with any claims by the User on a private basis, outside of court or legal proceedings. In order to address the safety issues: (1), operation and maintenance procedures, as well as safety precautions, are documented fully; (2), all reasonable safety features are included in the machine by design; (3), the User is expected to follow all operating, safety, and maintenance procedures.

Operation, Safety, and Maintenance

The User should acknowledge first that the Machine is a heavy piece of powered equipment, and poses inherent risks of injury or death that may result from improper usage or accidents. If all operating, safety, and maintenance procedures are followed, these risks are minimized or nonexistent.

Inherent risks for the Machine arise from several sources. First, this is a machine powered by hydraulic fluid pressure, as produced by an external power source. Second, there are risks associated with moving parts. Third, there are risks associated with the heavy weight of the machine. Fourth, there are risks associated with the electrical power delivery to the machine electronics. Fifth, there may be risks associated with the power unit used with the machine. Sixth, the machine is typically used under a workflow involving other heavy machinery used for ancillary purposes such as soil preparation and loading. All these risks, while insignificant under normal operating conditions, can be injurious or deadly when proper procedures are not followed.

Hydraulic Fluid Power - General Safety Considerations

Hydraulic fluid power is used to power the machine. The machine is plugged into a power source via hydraulic hoses. The hydraulic power is generated by an external power unit, wherein a gas, diesel, electric, or other engine drives a hydraulic pump - which in turn pumps hydraulic fluid at high pressure through the hydraulic circuit. Depending on the power unit used, the fluid going into the machine may be anywhere from 2000 to 5000 PSI. This is extremely high pressure, and may be a danger to the user in case of direct contact. For example, death or injury may result from a hose rupturing and hot, hydraulic fluid hitting a person directly. It should be noted that hydraulic fluid under normal working conditions reaches 180F (82C) in temperature, which can produce a burn on the body, and will cause serious human body damage if delivered under pressure. Moreover, loose hoses may spring back and forth as pressure is applied and released within them, so there is some danger of being hit by a flexing hose.

For safety, one should take several steps. First, hydraulic hoses, and especially exposed hydraulic hoses, should be inspected for their integrity. When a hose is damaged or worn out, it should be replaced immediately. Second, all hoses should be secured such that they move as little as possible upon pressure being cycled. Moreover, hoses should be secured in such a fashion that they do not rub against each other or against other metal parts. This prevents them from wearing out - as the rubber covering will be abraded readily, and the metal braids inside will be damaged subsequently, placing the hose at a risk of rupture. Fourth, one should stay away from the hydraulic hoses as far as possible during machine operation and one should wear safety glasses when near the machine in case of hose rupture. Hose rupture is the only risk that the machine presents to the user even when the user is not touching the machine in any way.

Moving Parts Safety Issues

The Machine has 3 moving parts: the main cylinder and its assembly; the secondary cylinder with the soil-loading drawer; the soil shaker. Any user should stay behind the Safety Rope at all times when the machine is in operation. Users with long hair should make sure that they do not catch their hair in the grate shaker motor. If the user puts their hand in the way of any pinch point, the user runs a serious risk of losing a limb immediately, and death in the worst case. The force of the main cylinder is about 40,000 lb, and the force of the secondary cylinder is about 10,000 lb. Also, note that the hoses flex like a stiff muscle when pressurized, so make sure that you are aware of this motion.

Heavy Weight Issues

The machine weighs about 1600 lb total. The user should avoid any situation in which there is a risk of the machine toppling on top of the user, as injury or death by crushing may occur. This is especially true if the machine is being moved. The machine is designed to be moved by forklift, with forklift arms placed under the machine arms closest to the main cylinder frame. Whenever moving the machine, the User should secure the Machine to the forks with chains. When placing the machine on the ground, one should select a site with the floor as level as possible, to minimize the possibility of the machine moving. The ground directly under the 10"x10" feet of the machine should be leveled so that the feet lie flat on the ground.

Electronics Safety

The Machine electronics are powered by 12 volts via the battery clamps. Typically, the battery that comes with the power unit is tapped. One should be aware of the standard dangers of electric shock when working with 12V batteries.

Power Unit Safety

The power unit may emit loud noise, in which case any user in close proximity should wear ear protection. Standard safety procedures should be taken when dealing with engines - such as staying away from moving parts, not using indoors for risk or gaseous poisoning, and considering the risk of flammability and explosion associated with liquid or other fuels. Since the power unit connects to the Machine via hydraulic hoses, care should be taken not to step on or trip over them. Care should be taken not to damage the hoses, and to make sure that hose quick connections are securely coupled when starting the machine. There is a risk of damaging the power unit in case of hoses being disconnected if the power unit does not have an internal pressure relief bypass. If there is no internal pressure relief and a hose is not connected, hoses on the power unit run a risk of rupture due to high pressure buildup upon startup of the power unit. Moreover, users with long hair should take precautions to make sure that their hair does not get caught in any moving parts of the power unit.

Workflow Safety Issues

The workflow of a CEB production operation may involve a number of people and heavy equipment. The User should stay away from the working path of tractors or other heavy equipment, and wear protective eyewear and a hardhat.

The general workflow immediately surrounding the machine may consist of: (1), one or more tractors loading the Machine hopper from the front of the machine; (2) one or more people unloading the machine from the opposite side. The workflow should include a set of rollers or some table surface, such that the people unloading the machine are 20 feet or farther away from the hopper of the machine. This helps to prevent any accidents related to the loader-tractor operator losing control of the tractor and ramming into the Machine, and the machine hitting people on the opposite side.

The Machine soil-loader-tractor operator should attend to coming to a full stop prior to releasing the bucket to assure a controlled soil drop, and to avoid bumping the machine.

The hopper shaker will go on and off automatically according to the programming of the Machine, so the User should be aware of this so as not to be startled by the vigorous shaking.

Weather Issues

There are inherent risks associated with operating the machine in foul weather. One should never operate the machine when there is lightning in the area, and one should avoid pressing operations when it is raining or wet. Slippery ground may be dangerous when one falls and trips onto the machine and slipping may be dangerous when one is carrying a load of blocks. Each block weighs 10-20 lb, so one should wear solid boots to prevent injuries related to bricks falling. During extremely hot weather, one should pay attention to the temperature of the power unit and the hydraulic fluid, and discontinue operations if the hydraulic fluid gets too hot. In extremely cold weather, one should first warm the machine up by running on idle, or undue stress result in premature hydraulic hose rupture.

Safety Features

The Machine is build with a number of safety features.

Pressure Reliefs -  The Machine features 2 pressure relief valves to release hydraulic system pressure above 2200 PSI, in order to prevent pressure buildup that could potentially rupture hydraulic hoses. The pressure reliefs may be activated upon: (1), jamming or other unforeseen machine condition; (2), end of the compression stroke of the main cylinder; (3) cylinders reaching their limits. The pressure reliefs are essential to the safe and efficient operation of the Machine, and they are activated on a continuous basis. The main pressure relief is located on the main hydraulic hoses, and the second pressure relief is located on the solenoid valve.

Kill Switch - the safety rope around the machine, which also serves as the power cord for the automatic controls, serves as a kill switch. When this rope is pulled from any of the 3 sides other than the control panel side, power is shut off to the machine. Another power switch is located on the bottom of the controller box.

Hopper Orientation - The hopper is oriented in such a fashion that the tractor-loader approaches the machine from one side, and bricks are ejected from the other side. The machine is designed for use with brick rollers, such that brick rollers should be attached to ejection side of the Machine. With brick rollers in place, people are removed away from the machine by a recommended distance of 20 feet or more.

Moving part covers - All moving parts are inaccessible to the user when the user remains behind the safety rope. The main cylinder is within the main pressing frame, shielded on 4 sides from the user. The hopper shaker eccentric is located inside the hopper, away from users.

Machine testing code - cylinder, bypass valve, and shaker motor functions may be tested independently with supporting control code to determine proper functioning of these components

Indicator light on the power switch - Machine on-condition may be determined visually by observing whether the power switch is lit.

Indicator lights on control circuit - For troubleshooting purposes, indicator lights on the solenoid driver board light up to indicate which solenoid sections are activated.

Wear protection - There are 4 adjustment bolts to keep the press foot positioned away from the walls of the compression chamber. This minimizes and at best eliminates metal-on-metal contact in the compression chamber, to extend machine life. The hopper loading drawer rides on v-groove rollers above the table surface, so wear is minimized on the drawer surfaces.

Operation and Maintenance Procedures

For safe operation of the machine, all the points in the above Operation, Safety, and Maintenance section must be kept in mind and followed. In addition, here are further, specific operation and maintenance points:

Assembly: 1. Follow the Assembly Instructions on the wiki to put the machine together. 2. Complete the Machine assembly prior to testing and running the machine.

First Run and Setup:

1. Follow the Initial Setup and Testing Procedure on the wiki, and verify that the relief valve, 2 cylinders, and hopper shaker are in working order. 3. Inspect all hoses and hose connections. 4. Tighten any bolts on the main frame section and any other bolts that may have loosened during shipping. 5. Follow all points relevant to every machine run in the next section. 6. Set the brick thickness and machine speed as needed, by following the Machine Adjustments section.

Every Run:

1. Stay behind the safety rope at all times during operation, and remain 20 feet away from the machine unless you need to be closer. 2. Inspect all hydraulic hoses for wear prior to beginning of brick production, and replace any defective hoses. 3. If the machine locks up for any reason, turn the power off immediately, identify and correct the problem, and restart machine. 4. Do not touch the machine while it is in operation 5. If you have long hair, make sure that it is kept away from the hopper shaker motor. Your hair may get wrapped up in the motor and pull you in, potentially killing you. 6. Do not loosen the leg bolts when the machine is standing. Machine level adjustment should be performed only when a set of tractor forks or other jack is in used to prevent the machine from falling down when the machine leveling is being adjusted. 7. Wear safety goggles and a hard hat during machine operation, and ear protection in case the power unit makes a lot of noise. 8. Listen to the relief valve system to make sure that it is working properly. You should hear a hiss every time the bypass condition happens. 9. If you hear that the power source is bogged down or if it stops, disable the Machine immediately and identify the issue. 10. Check all accessible bolts by hand or visually to make sure than they have not loosened during operation.

Maintenance and Repair

There is little maintenance that needs to be done to the machine. This is due primarily to the absence of a power unit on the machine. For storage, take off the hopper grate and clean soil from the machine. Store the machine indoors to prevent rusting. Cap the hose ends so that dirt does not get into the hoses.

If any parts become damaged structurally for any reason, assess the damage and replace the part if needed. All parts are either stock steel or off-shelf components. Most of the machine features bolt-together, design-for-disassembly, and most parts may be replaced readily. The entire machine can be taken apart in a couple of hours for study or refurbishing, and as long as the machine is kept free from rust, it should last from generation to generation. We recommend a new paint job every 10 years, including the inside the main frame. The inside of the compression chamber is the only part that may wear out in time. Replacement of the front and back u-channel pieces involves approximately a 2 hour job involving the drilling of holes and minor welding, and replacement of the side wear plates involves torching off the old ones and welding on new ones, which is about a 2 hour job if the machine frame is already taken apart. Material costs for these repairs involve a total of about US$40.

Further information on fixing operating problems can be found in the Troubleshooting section on the wiki.

User Responsibilities

The User takes on the full responsibility of using the Machine safely, by ensuring that she follows the above safety, maintenance, and operation procedures. It is the duty of the User to accept that accidents and unforeseen circumstances may occur, and that such happenings may place the User in danger of injury or even death. The User agrees to not hold the Producer liable for any accidents or deaths, and the User agrees to not pursue any legal action against the Producer and his or her agents and collaborators in the case of harm, injury, or death resulting from use of the Machine, regardless of the cause or reason for the accident. It is the duty of the User and his/her collaborators or work crew to read and understand the Assembly, Setup and Testing Procedure, Machine Adjustment, Troubleshooting, and all of the above safety, maintenance, and operation procedures. Furthermore, the User agrees to not solicit the services of any agents, assigns, or other third parties to pursue legal action against the Producer in the case of accidents or death related to use of the Machine. If the User allows any other person or group to use the machine or participate in brick production, the User likewise agrees to take on the full responsibility and liability associated with any harm or injury that may happen to anyone involved in using the Machine, and shall hold the Producer in indemnity.

The User is also informed that the Producer does not carry liability insurance as part of their strategy to keep down overhead costs. If the User intends to reserve their, another Beneficiary's, or another third party's right to sue with respect to any claims or liabilities created by the use of the Machine, then the User agrees to pay a surcharge of US$100k to cover additional costs of exposure by the Producer. Reservation of the right to sue by the User shall be evidenced by a payment of US$100k, paid in full, accompanying this contract. Otherwise, absence of this US$100k payment accompanying this contract shall evidence an expressed waiver of the User to sue the Producer for any claims and liabilities related to the use of the Machine. Therefore, in the absence of the User's reservation of the right to sue, the User hereby agrees to release and forever discharge the Producer from any and all liability, claims, and demands of whatever kind either in law or in equity, which arise or may hereafter arise from the use of the Machine by: (1), the User, (2), others involved with the User and the use of the Machine, and (3), others to whom the Users grants use of the Machine. The User furthermore agrees and understands that this contract discharges the Producer from any liability or claim that the User may have against the Producer with respect to bodily injury, personal injury, or property damages that may result from the User's and Beneficiary's use of the machine, wherever the Machine may be used. The User also understands that the Producer does not assume any responsibility for or obligations to provide financial or other assistance, including but not limited to medical, health, or disability insurance in the event of injury or loss – unless the Producer agrees to help the User or Beneficiary out of voluntary, good faith and honor.

If the User does not agree to the above conditions, the User is encouraged to build their own machine from our open source plans, or to hire somebody else to produce the machine, or to buy another producer's machine.