Imphal, December 12: Modified electrical Loom newly developed by a Manipuri Craftsman has been one of the best choice of several visitors, the professional handloom weavers visiting to witness the ongoing Imphal expo 2014 at Iboyaima Shumang Lila Shanglen, palace compound, Imphal organized by National Small Industries Corporation Ltd (NSIC), India.
The electric operated loom developed by the local innovator Sorokhaibam Biren, 55 years, hailing from Bishnupur Ward No 7 is a great advantage to the professional weavers who are still hinging on manually operated traditional looms thereby reducing manpower, time consumption while increasing production. The powerloom weaves automatically sans manpower. Innovation of such a wonderful technology probably gives a new dimension in handloom weaving sector which is the backbone to the economy of a marginalized state like Manipur.
A dynamic and prolific innovator Biren developed the first prototype of Modified Power loom for the first time in 1992. In 2004, National Innovative Foundation recognized his innovative device and provided him some funds to improve his innovative device. His mechanized shuttle looms simulates the working principles of traditional Manipuri shuttle loom (Yongkham), except that the new machine runs fully automatic with the help of a half-horse power motor.
The output of the new weaving device is 25 to 50 times more than the traditional shuttle loom, and almost any other power loom. The innovative machine can weave 3 to 4 fabric per hour whereas the traditional one could hardly make 1-2 fabric in a day. Except for the change of bobbin, the machine doesn’t require any manpower. The device which consumes around 350 electric watts can work for at least 15 hours with a 24 volt battery.
With numbers of professional weavers increasing gradually, I have got many clients who demand for supply of the power loom. The only thing is that I cannot meet the increasing demand. I have sold 14 pieces of modified power looms which cost Rs 1 lakh to 1.50 lakhs a piece. The cost varies according to the design and technology of the loom. With the demand for this loom increasing, I am hectic on my work to give a finishing touch to another ten looms by engaging six skilled workers. It has been a thriving business for me as it gives me a good turnover, he said.
Biren developed the electric operated power loom by modifying the manual handloom while incorporating a half HP single-phase motor to give a fresh hopes to the handloom Industry sector of the state. This new device has a provision to regulate shuttle speeds depending on the type of cloth being woven and facilitated speedy production without much taking time and manpower. Compared to other commercial power looms, his innovative device is of affordable cost and less manpower requirements as compared to the traditional loom.
