Nepali Mechanic Designs Sweet-Cutting Machine and Low-Cost Home Lift
फागुन ८, २०८२ १२:१३
Kathmandu. Cutting machines for Pushtakari, Pau, and chocolate, along with lifts that can be installed in ordinary homes, have been developed in Nepal
Shivarudra Karmacharya, the owner of ‘Basundhara Auto and Engineering’ at Basundhara, Kathmandu, built the machine and the lift at his own workshop.
Karmacharya says that he created the machine as an alternative to the shortage of workers faced by industries that make traditional sweets such as Pushtakari and Pau. “Generally, in small industries, finding workers to cut Pau/Pushtarari is difficult,” he says. “With the availability of the machine, the worker’s job can be finished in a short time. It will be of great help in increasing production according to the market’s demand as well.”
Karmacharya started building machines almost two months ago. Within this timeframe, he has already prepared and sold machines used to cut Pau. Karmacharya mentions that his machine was purchased and is being used by Ratnapark Pau Bhandar. Now, he has invented a machine that can cut both Pau and Pushtakari simultaneously.
Karmacharya says, “The machine that could only cut Pau was ready for one and a half lakh rupees. As it was my first time making the machine, it took around two months. Later, after modifying the previously created machine slightly, it could cut both Pau and Pushtakari. It's a bit heavy, which is why it's expensive.” He adds that the machine can be purchased in the market for up to three lakh rupees.
Steel is used as the exterior of the machine. Although the raw materials like steel have been imported, the entire design, fitting, and construction of the machine were done by Karmacharya himself.
He claims the machine only consumes about 1 unit of electricity per hour of operation.
To control the machine, there is a control box containing a switch placed backward and forward of the machine. By pressing the switch, the placed Pau and Pushtakari can be cut easily.
Two sensors have been placed, which allow the running machine to automatically stop when it reaches a certain place. There is also an emergency switch placed in case of any problems or accidents while the machine is running. 
Currently, Karmacharya has made a machine that cuts square-shaped Pau and Pushtakari. However, he mentioned that it can also cut round and other shapes as per the customer’s needs.
He claims, “It takes half an hour to one hour when cutting Pushtakari by hand, whereas the machine can cut it in one to two minutes. Therefore, this machine can be purchased for an amount equivalent to a worker’s one or two-month wage.”
Construction begins after the machine imported from India malfunctions
Nependra Shrestha, the owner of Sushila Pushtakari Bhandar at Newroad, contacted Karmacharya around 6 months ago after the machine he imported from India broke down. He says that the idea to create a new machine arose after observing the malfunctioning one.
Karmacharya says, “The machine was bought from India for more than 6 lakhs, but after some time it malfunctioned. Upon calling for mechanics from India to fix it, they refused to come. Rather, they wanted the machine to be brought to India. But taking the machine to India to fix it was not possible. That's when Shrestha gave it to me in hopes of fixing it.”
But the machine could not be fixed. However, he looked at the machine and created a new machine with his own new design. “Such machines, when bought from overseas, are costly and are difficult to fix when needed. That's why I created an automated machine. Even if some problems arise with this machine, we can solve it,” claims Karmacharya.
“Home Lift” in a wasted home space
Karmacharya has made use of a small vacant space in the middle of the stairs of his house, where his workshop is also located. The lift has been installed in a space in his three-story house. Karmacharya says, “At the beginning of the construction of the lift, my family couldn’t believe that I could make it. But the lift was ready in around 15 days. Although it was not finished, we had already begun to use it.”
He adds that most lifts in Nepal are brought from China and assembled, which is expensive. Narrating his attempt to make an affordable lift, Karmacharya says, “I made it because I wanted to show that it's possible to build it in Nepal so that others can make it as well.”
Currently, he has placed a normal rod in the lift at home for safety. The lift can be operated to move up and down using a remote and buttons. The green button, when pressed, moves the lift to the top floor, and the red button, when pressed, moves the lift down.
Karmacharya says that he has placed two wires for safety on top of his lift, when in normal lifts, only one wire is placed. He adds, “Even if one wire breaks, the other can carry the load. Even if both wires break, mechanical brakes are installed. This allows the lift to stop midway when the wires break off. It won’t fall. This prevents accidents.”
This lift can easily carry up to 500 kg. This lift is said to be suitable for houses from 2 stories to 5 stories. In the market, the lifts manufactured in China or other foreign countries can cost from 18 and 20 lakhs. However, according to Karmacharya, this lift can be manufactured for around 6 to 9 lakh rupees.
Presently, the facility to make the lift stop at the chosen floor is not available. Addressing that this service and the door of the lift are yet to be installed, Karmacharya emphasizes, “The space in my house was small, which is why I could make the lift small too. However, if the space is large, the lift can be made bigger.”
पछिल्लो अध्यावधिक: फागुन ८, २०८२ १२:३६
