Abstract


A systematic approach to improve the existing tools and processes used by the artisans engaged in carpet sectors to enhance the productivity and the quality of the finished products in a cost effective manner have been initiated in 2000 by IIT Delhi. Several machines like Carpet Loom, Scrapping Machine, Drying Machine, and Tools used in carpet manufacturing have been developed and tested in many carpet manufacturing belts, namely, Bhadohi, Mirzapur, Jaipur, Srinagar and other places of India. Among those two machines, namely, a carpet loom and a scrapping machine are taken up in this paper for further improvement to reduce their cost. The loom is a static structure and the scrapping machine is a dynamic system. This paper presents the overview of these newly developed machines and the associated features. In order to get wider acceptance to the users, the machines should be available at affordable prices. Hence, as a part of further improvement, modeling and optimization of the loom and scrapping machines are undertaken.


Key word- Carpet Loom, Scrapping Machine, Handmade Carpet


Introduction


In recent time, if the highly labour intensive handmade carpet industry has to compete with the machine made carpets, it has to use innovative products by improving the associated devices which will improve the quality and rate of production. It should also provide a safe working environment. Handicraft sector is one of the largest export earners of India and it provides employment to a large number of craft-persons across the country. It is facing a tough competition from other handicraft exporting countries of Asia-Pacific region due to market liberalization. Also, this labour intensive carpet industry has to compete with the machine made carpets. Thus, it has to improve mechanical devices which will improve the quality and rate of production. At the same time the safe working environment of the craft-persons should be improved using ergonomic principles wherever it is possible to do without significant increase in the cost.


Manufacturing of carpet involves several processes, as illustrated Fig. 1. A project with the aims to improve processes, tools and machines involved in manufacturing of carpet was initiated in IIT Delhi in 2000. In the project a range of machines, processes, and tools designed and developed. They were Carpet Looms of different sizes, Scrapping machines for carpet washing, drying machines, Moisture measuring device, Semi-automating washing machine, Embossing trimming device, and hand tools. These tools and machines have been tested in many carpet manufacturing belts, namely, Bhadohi, Mirzapur, Jaipur, Srinagar, Bhalsar and other places of India. Among those two machines, namely, a carpet loom and a scrapping machine are taken up in this paper for further improvement to improve their performance and reduce their cost.


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Authors are associated with, Department of Mechanical Engineering Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi