KALITA et al.: A NOVEL MACHINE FOR PLATE MAKING FROM ARECA PALM LEAF SHEATH

Introduction Leaf of areca tree (Areca catechu L.) is a hard material (good tensile strength), slow in biodegradation and has low calorific value. About 1000 million leaf sheaths (2,33,000 tonnes) are available annually in India alone. Areca leaf sheath (cellulose, 43%) by digestion using sulphite process at 162°C for 3.5 h gives a pulp (yield, 36-40%), which in admixture with other pulp can be used for making packing paper boards. It is used to manufacture decorative vaneer panels and picture mounts. Arecanut shows hypoglycemeic effect, mitotic activity, antihelminthic activity, cholinomimetic activity etc. Existing pedal-type machine, which is used to manufacture bowl/plate from areca leaf sheath, consists of a set of die-punch, cutter, a foot lever (to lift die), and a frame. It has following drawbacks: i) Performance of cutter is unsatisfactory; ii) High force is required to operate machine; iii) Structure of machine is large; iv) Operation in standing position is inconvenient especially for physically handicapped persons; v) Excessive operation leads to back pain and fatigue; and vi) Die shapes are not standardized. This study presents design and development of an energy efficient, hand operated machine (fabricated at IIT Guwahati) for bowl and plate manufacture from areca palm leaf sheath.