Source: Textile Review
STATUS ON DEVELOPMENT OF INDIGENOUS MANUFACTURE
OF SHUTTLELESS LOOMS
Failures of the programme of
manufacturing shuttleless looms in the past i.e. during 80s and early 90s
was discouraging the domestic manufacturers. However, despite the difficulties
faced in manufacturing as well as marketing of shuttleless
looms, a couple of existing manufacturers and a new breed of
manufacturers started developing low cost, low speed shuttleless rapier
looms during late 90s.
In the previous edition of TMMA TIMES, in my
article, "Historical Background and Status of Textile Engineering Industry",
I had explained the reasons for non-development of sophisticated weaving
machinery (shuttleless looms). It was mentioned why good quality shuttleless
looms could not be developed in the past while we were with up-to-date
technology in spinning. Failures of the programme of manufacturing shuttleless
looms in the past i.e. during 80s and early 90s was discouraging the domestic
manufacturers. However, despite the difficulties faced in manufacturing as well
as marketing of shuttleless looms, a couple of existing manufacturers and a new
breed of manufacturers started developing low cost, low speed shuttleless
rapier looms during late 90s. The Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme announced
by the Government gave encouragement to the manufacturers.
The present status of manufacture vis--vis
foreign competition
During late 90s and early 2000, new
manufacturers as well as couple of old manufacturers felt that the quota-free
regime under WTO agreement may give a boost to the textile industry and
to the Textile Engineering Industry. Even we felt that the decentralized
powerloom sector where 80% of the loom age is of obsolete technology, may opt
for shuttleless looms to some extent. The 20% Credit Linked Capital Subsidy
Scheme announced during 2002 was further moral booster. The Scheme was thought
of primariIy to help the Textile Engineering Industry, particularly the weaving
machinery manufacturers and the decentralized powerloom sector. It was hoped
that with this Scheme, the decentralized sector wouId be sensitized and coerced
to modernize with the domestic shuttleless looms. This prompted the following
manufacturers to come out with their brands of shuttleless looms in the country
- (table 1)
It may thus be
seen that today there are manufacturers of shuttleless rapier looms, water jet
looms and air jet looms.
Out of these manufacturers, M/s. Aalidhra
Weave-Tech Pvt. Ltd., Surat; M/s. Laxmi Textile Stores,
Ahmedabad; M/s. Dynamic Loom Mfg. Co., Ahmedabad; M/s. Himson
Textile Egg. Ind. Pvt. Ltd., Surat; and M/s. Lifebond Machines Pvt
Ltd., Surat are regularly manufacturing shuttleless looms and supplying to
the customers. The general price of these machines ranges between Rs. 3 lakh
and RsA.5 lakh depending on the specifications, types of components &
accessories used, quality, productivity, etc.
