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Gather, grind, and graciously gobble....
Opensource tools for acorn processing

The Acorn-cycles is a system for processing acorns for food, based around a modular bike, the acorn-cycle (quercycle) which can transform and change function to follow the harvest cycle of the acorn and integrate into the seasons. This adaptable system allows to efficiently gather, grind, and graciously gobble acorns on a small but impactfull scale

Following the ripening of the acorns in the autum, the bike recieves a cargo platform allowing for the fast logistics of the harvest. Allowing the harvesters to transport buckets, rakes and shovels as well as thier acorns. after harvesting the acorns are dryed in a large dehydrator which integrates into residential heating systems using existing energy streams to efficiently dry the acorns for storage.
With the end of the harvest the bike transforms again to becomes stationary as a pedal powered grinding station for the slower winter months. Allowing the acorns to be processed into flour and mince
In the spring the knowledge gathered from this years harvest cycle is captured and spread through easily replicable zines which act as seeds and can propagate and spread.

All the interface of the bike as well as all attachments and Furniture constructed utilise OpenStructures, an opensource modular system developed by Thomas Lomee which, through simple constuction rules, allowes the interchangability of components. The open source nature keeps adaptabibility and allows others to build on and adapt the expand the system to thier needs.

Acorn-cycles enable the user to process substantial amounts of acorns with thier own human power and by assembeling the tools neccessary to process acorns efficiently on a small scale it is a pilot for how an acorn based urban food system might look like.

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