Grassroots Innovation Database [GRID]

About the Practice

Problem Statement:

leaf stick separation

Detail:

Sri Pasupathy Pandian is 65 years old ex-serviceman in Kuttam village in Nellai District. He has developed many prototypes of implements for using the raw materials from palmyrah tree. He feels that such steps will lead to conservation of palmyrah trees (I) Palm leaf / Coconut leaf Mat making machine These mats are produced in millions by hand by rural artisan, who is able to make only a substance living out of this handicraft. Description of Machine: It comprises body frame 2 palm leaf folders a ,at roller a cross pave section 2 pedal levers in left and right It enables an skilled operator with an unskilled person to produce about 6 mats of 2x4 it size in a hour. These mats can be used for packing purpose for items like fish, matches and jaggery. The machine can be adjusted / designed for either crises cross knittling or v shaped knitting. criss corss knitting would require a final manual stitching of the sides wheras "v" shaped knitting does not require it. The machine can be designed to operate either by pedal or by handle, though the basic design of the machine remains the same. Cost of machine With a capital investment of about Rs.10,000 and a working capital of about Rs.2500 for leaves etc, one can earn a net income of about Rs.125 per day. (This earning is calculated after deducting depreciation, interests on capital, rent, maintenance, sales commission, etc) with manual mat making, one can hardly earn Rs. 5 per day. These mats are produced in millions by hand by rural artisan, who is able to make only a substance living out of this handicraft. Description of Machine: It comprises body frame 2 palm leaf folders a, at roller a cross pave section 2 pedal levers in left and right It enables an skilled operator with an unskilled person to produce about 6 mats of 2x4 it size in a hour. (II) Manufacture of Match Boxes using palm leaf For making match boxes, forest is destroyed, trees are cut and using big machines match boxes and match sticks are manufactured. Destroying forests reduces the rain. Moreover by making match boxes using large machines maximum benefit goes to industrialists. Employment potential also is reduced. If we make palm leaf for making match boxes forests need not be destroyed. Employment is also high. Advantages: Palm leaf can be used for making match boxes and the ticks (of leaf) and leaf stems can be used for making match sticks. Except the chemicals, paper and gum all the items can be manufactured from palm trees. Moreover by using palm leaf for making match box large machines are not required. However people will get employed. By using low cost dies made of Tin, match boxes can be made by using palm leaf. Match boxes can be made in each house giving employment to all members of family. For making match box ordinary or tender leaves of palm trees can be made use of. Removing Difficulties by Introducing new Technologies: From ancient times people made mats and containers (boxes) using palm leaf by conventional methods. Now there is a danger of these handicraft industries being destroyed. Palm trees also will be cut and destroyed. One reason for these industries to be destroyed is lack of proper technology. Method of making Match Box using Palm Leaf: From palm trees every year palm leaf is cut. The stem (Leaf) are separated from the leaf for making match box. Should be broad and long. From one leaf of the tree approximately 100 match boxes can be made the cost of one leaf is between 50 paisa and one rupee in villages. The central portion of the palm leaf only are wide and hence they only be used. For making the outer of the matchbox. First we have to cut the wider portion of the palm leafs, and then the central stick (EEKKU) is removed by means of knife or a needle. Let us see how form these palm leaf match box can be made. The match box consists of the outer and inner boxes. (III) Making Outer Box: For making the outer box a tin die has to be made with the length and breadth of outer box. This can be called palm leaf & match box outer sizing die. This die can be kept over the broad leaf and using a scissor the leaf can be cut to the length and breadth of the die. Also for making folds in the outer box suitable die has to be made. By using the above two dies, scissors and a needle for making the folds the outer of the match box can be made. In single leaflet 3 outer of match box be made like this leaf for making 100 outer should be prepared and bundled. The leaf after cutting for the outer can be used for making the inner box. In he leaves for the outer the die for making the folds can be kept and using a painted needle fold marks can be made. There is a small hole in the die for making folds. In this hole the needle can be kept and fold marks made. Then the outer leaf with fold marks can be suitable folded and paper can be pasted. Now the outer is ready. The leaf can be sized using ordinary and filler type leaf sizing machines also as shown in figure V &VI over this sized leaf the outer sizing die can be kept and sized. (IV) Making Inner of the Match Box: Now let us see the method for making the inner of the match box shown in fig III Inner sizing die has to be made to the length and breadth of the inner box. Then the die for making folds also has to be made another die has to be made for making the central portion of the inner box. The leaves after making the outer can be used for making the inner. This can be sized either by manually or by using ordinary of roller type sizing machines. These sized leafs can be cut of size using the inner sizing die and can be bundled. Then the inner folding die can be kept and cut to the required length and breadth. Now by using the folding die and deepings a needle in the hole of the folding die the fold marks can be made. Then the central portion of the inner has to be cut using suitable dies. The inner can be folded to the required shape and then the blue. Paper can be pasted procedure has been shown in figure IV the control portion of the inner can also be kept and pasted with paper. Now the inner of the match box is ready. Thus after making the inner and outer of the match box, the match stick can be made using the EEKKU and mattai, these match stick do not sustain fire as other wooden sticks. Hence paraffin wax has to coat for better burning characteristics. Also the sticks from Mattai and EEKKU can be pressed in the roller tube leaf sizing machines which improve the burning characteristics. The Cost Details: Leaves for making 100 matches box Rs. 1.00 Paper for making 100 match box Rs. 1.00 Paste for making 100 match box Rs. 0.50 Match stick is for making 100 match box Rs. 0.50 Salary for 1 lady for making 100 box Rs. 8.00 ------------------ Rs. 11.00 ------------------ One lady can make 100 match boxes in 1 hour in 5 hrs. One lady can make 500 match boxes and can earn Rs.40/- Power driven Palmyrah Tree Climbing Machine Introduction: Climbing on the palm tree is a very tedious and it requires skilled work and only the trained climbers are able to climb on the palm trees. Unskilled and untrained people cannot climb on the palm trees. Therefore the main object of his invention is to propose a power driven palm climbing machine and which is very easy to operate even by an unskilled person. Description of Machine: According to this invention there is provided a power driven palm climbing machine comprising a main frame supported on an engine compartment, L shaft being secured at the top end on either sides of said main frames for holding a roller therewith, a driven roller being provided near the top end of said frame for providing climbing action to said machine, a power transmission system being provided with said main frame for rotating the driven roller by means of an engine provided in the engine compartment, locking means being provided near one end of said driven roller for locking the machine at the required bright after climbing, brake means being provided above said engine compartment to stop the machine at said height during operation, a handle bar with an accelerator at one end and a cultch lever on the other end being provided towards the top of the main frame for controlling the operation of the engine as well as to provide support to the climber, carrying wheel being provided on either sides of said engine compartment for facilitating the transportation of the machine to the require place of operation. In accordance with this invention the power driven palm climbing machine has a main frame which is supported on an engine compartment at the front end thereof. Holding means comprising L shaft is secured at the top of the frame on either sides thereof for holding a guide roller therewith. The free ends of L-shaft are supported by means of support bars provided between the main frame and free end of the L shafts. A driven roller is provided near the top end of the main frame and is adapted to be driven by the engine provided in the engine cabin. Transmission system is provided with said main frame such that to transmit the rotatory motion o the driven roller in order to rotate the same to facilitate the climbing of the machine on the palm tree. Brake means are provided near the lower end of the main frame to stop the machine at the desired height on the palm tree during the operation of the machine. A handle bar having acceleretor means at one end and the clutch lever at he other end is secured towards the top end of the main frame for controlling the operation of the engine and also to provide support to the climber during the operation of the machine. Locking means are provided one end of the driven roller in order to sop the rotatory movement of the driven roller as and when required by the climber / operator. A wheel is provided on either of the engine compartment for facilitating the transportation of the machine to the desired operation. Coconut Leaf Stick separating machine Coconut leaf midrib which is very hardy. Such midrib portion is being removed from the manually by using a knife. These sticks after separation are tied together for using as broomstick. These leaf sticks are produced in millions by hand by the rural artisans who are able to make subsistence living out of this handicraft. The coconut leaves stick separating. The coconut leaf stick separating machine is handle - operated type) invented by T.S. Pasupathy comprises a body frame, two pulling rollers, a blade bracket and a set of sprockets with operating handle. It enables a skilled operator with an unskilled person. e.g. a women operator and a child, to produce about 3 kg of coconut leaf stick in an hour. It costs Rs.2000 . This machine increase the efficiency of the artisan by 3 times compared to the out put from manual method.

Palmyrah Mat Weaver

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