ASSESSMENT REPORT ON

THANJAVUR ART PLATE CLUSTER

Submitted to
Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd
No. 108, Anna Salai,
Chennai - 600002

May 2017

Prepared by:

ITCOT Consultancy and Services Ltd.

(Joint venture of ICICI, IDBI, IFCI, SIPCOT, TIIC, SIDCO and BANKS)
50 - A, GREAMS ROAD, CHENNAI - 600 006. Tel : (044) 42936800-02
FAX : 044 28293512 Web site: www.itcot.com Email : itcot@vsnl.com
 CONTENTS
Page
Chapter Title
No
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY i

1. PREAMBLE 1

2. CLUSTER PROFILE 3

3. CLUSTER VALUE CHAIN MAPPING 8

4. SWOT AND NEED GAP ANALYSIS 23

5. PROJECT INTERVENTIONS 26

6. PROJECT COST AND MEANS OF FINANCE

7. PLAN FOR CONVERGENCE OF INITIATIVES

ENHANCED PROJECT COST AND MEANS OF
8.
FINANCE
9. PROJECT TIMELINE

10. TENTATIVE BUSINESS PLAN

11. PROPOSED IMPLEMENTATION FRAMEWORK

12. EXPECTED IMPACT

 Executive Summary

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. Name of the Cluster Thanjavur Art Plate Cluster,

Thanjavur District
2. Location and Spread of The spread of the cluster is
the Cluster confined within the Thanjavur
block, Thanjavur district.
3. Product Range Art Plates
4. Size of Cluster & Type There are about 30 functioning
of units units in the cluster. Art plate
production is predominantly
household based.
5. Turnover of the Cluster 1.88 Crore Rupees per annum
6. Employment 150 active artisans
7. Key Concern Areas of Rising cost of art plate
the Cluster production due to rising metal
cost and labour cost has made
the craft less profitable,
leading to closure of some art
plate units and forcing artisans
to move to other jobs.
Art plate making is heavily
dependent on hand work,
there is very little scope for
technology intervention to
improve productivity.
The product line in the cluster
is narrow and faces the
constraints of a limited
market. Art plate is the major
product, and the design motifs
are mostly inspired from Hindu
mythology. This lack of
product and design
diversification has limited its
market.
The art is purely a decorative
 Executive Summary

item, it has no utility value,

this inhibits the market scope
of the product.
8. Proposed Common A set of machines for common
Facilities use are identified for the common
facility center which would
improve the productivity and
reduce the production cost of art
plate manufacturing.

Common facilities proposed:

1. Common hydraulic pressing
machine to shape brass plates.
2. Common electric furnace to
melt silver.
3. Common sheet rolling machine
to make silver sheets from
silver ingots.
9. Budget for the Proposed
Interventions (Plant 45 Lakh Rupees
and Machinery)
10. Means of Finance 100% Government Grant
11. Post Intervention The common facility is
Scenario (Expected expected to reduce the cost of
Impact) production of art plate and
enhance the viability of the
craft.
The common facility for
shaping brass sheets will help
to provide the brass plates to
the artisans at a lower cost
than the outside supplier. The
cost of brass plate can reduce
upto 15%.
The electric furnace for silver
melting will reduce the cost on
the environment in addition to
reducing the melting time.

2
 Executive Summary

The sheet rolling machine will

satisfy the need for rolling
larger silver sheets. It will also
reduce the dependence of
artisans on a few people who
now own the machine in the
cluster.

3
 Preamble

1 PREAMBLE

The handicrafts sector holds considerable social, economic, and cultural

significance in our country. The handicrafts sector is a major employment
generator to people in rural and semi-urban areas, moreover the artisans
involved in handicrafts production often belong to economically weaker
sections of the society. The sector is estimated to employ 68.86 Lakh
artisans at present. The sector also generates substantial foreign
exchange, while also preserving the cultural heritage of our country.

The Thanjavur Art Plate is a handicraft made of metals such as silver,

copper, and brass, embossed with figures of gods, animals and other
motifs. The artifact is exclusively made in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. The
artwork is also a GI (Geographical Indication) tagged product. The art
plates have become popular as prizes and mementos in Tamil Nadu.

Today the art plate industry suffers from the same ills that affect any
other traditional industry in the twenty first century. Poor exposure to
technology, lack of capital, lack of market intelligence, and the
unorganized nature of the industry has made the art plate industry less
profitable. A good number of artisans have already moved away from art
plate craft to more economically remunerative jobs.

To rejuvenate such crafts and enhance the socio-economic conditions of

the artisans involved in these crafts the Development Commissioner
(Handicraft), Government of India is implementing several schemes, and
one among them is the Common Facility Center (CFC). The Objective of
the CFC is to ensure economy of scale, price competitiveness, quality
control, and technology upgradation.

The Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd (TNHDC), the

implementing agency for this scheme, has appointed ITCOT to formulate
the requirements of plant and machinery for the envisaged Common
Facility Center, with a view to achieve the desired objectives of economy
of scale and price competitiveness.

1
 Preamble

This report attempts to do the following: (a) to conduct field study of the
crafts production techniques and to hold discussions with stakeholders;
(b) to gather knowledge from other state handicrafts/private industry on
the ideal machinery for the particular craft production; (c) formulate the
requirements of plant and machinery for the proposed CFC.

The following chapters are briefed in this Assessment Report: Chapter 2

elaborates on the profile of the Thanjavur Art Cluster. Chapter 3 provides
an introduction to the art plate product and gives a detailed account of
the art plate production process; the chapter also maps the stakeholders
in the cluster and notes the market linkages for art plate craft. Chapter
4 provides a SWOT analysis of the art plate cluster. Chapter 5 discusses
the scope for common facility and technological intervention in the
production process and lists the machines proposed along with their
specifications.

2
 Cluster Profile

2 CLUSTER PROFILE
2.1 Thanjavur Art Plate Cluster

It is believed that the craft of Thanjavur Art plate came about during the
reign of the Maratha King Serfoji (1797 -1832). During King Serfoji's time
the production of the craft was encouraged in the Thanjavur town. Over
the last three hundred years this traditional art has been passed over
from generation to generation. The spread of the cluster is within the
limits of the Thanjavur town.

Art plate production is the main activity in the cluster. The production is
mainly a household based activity where the artisans set up his work
space in the premises of his house.

CLUSTER DETAILS
1. No of functional units 30 Nos.
2. Major activities Art Plate making
3. No of active artisans 150 Nos.
4. Average annual Rs.50.00 Lakhs
turnover

2.2 Location of the Cluster

 Cluster Profile

The art plate cluster is confined within the limits of the Thanjavur town.
The residences and workshops of the craftsmen are in and around the
South Main street. More than fifty percent of the artists reside in
Nanayakara Chetty Street, Ellaiamman Koil Street, and Javuli Chetty
Street which are the three sub-streets of the South Main street.

2.3 Regional Setting of the Cluster

The Thanjavur art plate cluster is located in the Thanjavur taluk of the
Thanjavur district. Other handicraft clusters like Swamimalai Bronze Icon
cluster near Kumbakonam and Nahiarkoil Brass Lamp cluster near
Thiruvidaimarudur are located within the district. The taluk map of
Thanjavur district is given below:

2.4 Socio-economic Aspects of Thanjavur Art Plate Cluster

The significance of the art plate industry is that most people involved in
this industry belong to economically weaker sections of the society. The
industry has the potential to act as significant generator of rural
employment and create new avenues for entrepreneurship. The
flourishing of the industry can also potentially prevent rural to urban
distress migration.
 Cluster Profile

2.5 Thanjavur District Profile

Thanjavur is popularly known as the rice bowl of Tamilnadu. Spread

across the delta region of the river Cauvery, the district is abound with
green paddy fields, coconut grooves, and other plantations. Due to the
patronage provided to art and culture by successive rulers from the
Cholas to Marathas, Thanjavur has developed into a flourishing center for
cottage industries and handicrafts. The district is famous for articles like
Thanjavur art plates, Swamimalai bronze icons, traditional brass lamps,
musical instruments, and silver metallurgy. The handloom sector also
occupies an important role in the Thanjavur economy.

Thanjavur district has a rich cultural heritage, being home to three

UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Brihadeeswarar Temple attracts
visitors from all over the world. This rich cultural repository of temples,
traditional art making, and monuments, makes Thanjavur a fledgling
tourist center.

2.6 Key Demographics of Thanjavur District

S.No Indicator Units

1. Population 2405890
Male Female
1182416 1223474
2. Population Growth 8.56%
3. Sex Ratio (per 1000) 1035
4. Literacy rate 82.64%
Male Female
89.04% 76.50%

2.7 Key Economic Activities in the District

The main driver of the Thanjavur economy is agriculture and the allied
sector. More than 75% of the workforce depend on agriculture for their
livelihood. The major crops cultivated are paddy, pulses, gingili,
groundnut, and sugarcane. The major industries in the district are agro-
based industries like rice mills, oil mills, sugar mills, etc. The district is
also well known for handicraft activities like art plate making, Tanjore
 Cluster Profile

paintings, bronze icon manufacturing, musical instruments manufacturing,

and bell metal products.

2.8 Social and Physical Infrastructure in the District

S.No Indicator Details

1. Area 3411 Sq.Km
2. Population (2011 Census) 2405890
Male Female
1182416 1223474
Urban Rural
851359 1554531
3. Administrative Setup
Sub divisions 3
Taluks 9
Blocks 14
Town Panchayats 22
Municipalities 3
Gram Panchayats 589
4. Transport Infrastructure Length of Rail 96.52
Line Km
Surfaced Roads 4962 Km
Unsurfaced Roads 86 Km
5. Irrigation Infrastructure Canal Length 657 Km
Wells 16348
Tanks 631
6. Agricultural Institutions Saline Research Centre,
Peravurani
Seed Testing Laboratory,
Thanjavur
Soil Testing Laboratory,
Aduthurai
Coconut Research Station,
Veppankulam (TNAU)

7. Agro Industries Industry Nos.

Coir and Coir 28
Products
Chewing Tobacco 6
Modern Rice Mill 7
8. Banks 253
9. Universities 4
10. Engineering Colleges 13
. Teacher Training Institutes 38
 Cluster Value Chain Mapping

3 CLUSTER VALUE CHAIN MAPPING

3.1 Product Profile - Thanjavur Art Plate

The Thanjavur Art Plate is a product of high craftsmanship that is

exclusively made in Thanjavur. The handicraft is a GI (Geographical
Indication) tagged product. It is a circular plate consisting of metals such
as silver, brass, and copper. The art plate has a base of brass plate to
support the preliminary and secondary reliefs in silver and copper
encrusted on it, bearing embossed figures of gods, scenes from
mythology, and secular figures like birds, animals, and floral decorations.

The art plates have become popular as mementos and prizes. The art
plate craftsmanship is also used by these artisans to produce other
handicraft products like jewel boxes, mirror stands, cups, bowls, caskets.

3.2 Components of an Art Plate

 Cluster Value Chain Mapping

There are three main components in the Art Plate:

Base Plate: The Base Plate is made of brass. The relief work made of
silver and copper sheets are encrusted over this base plate.

Primary Relief: The primary relief is encrusted in the central hollow

portion of the brass base plate; it is the main motif of the art plate. It is
usually made of silver and is larger than the subsidiary reliefs. The motif
may represent gods, birds, flowers, personalities, or logos of institutions.

Subsidiary Relief: Subsidiary reliefs are made of silver and copper

sheets, and are encrusted on the brass base plate around the primary
relief.

3.3 Raw Materials and Consumables

Copper
Solid silver, to
sheets, to
make reliefs
make reliefs

Circular Brass
Wax, which is
sheets, to
used as the
make the base
base board.
plate Thanjavur
Art Plate

3.4 Tools

In art plate craft tools form an important aspect of the production

process. The tools required by the artisans include baseboard, hammers,
punches, and chisels.
 Cluster Value Chain Mapping

Hammers

A number of hammers of varying sizes and weight are made use in

different stages of the art plate work. Lighter hammer are used in tracing
designs and chiseling, and the heavier hammers are used to cut grooves
in the base plate and to rivet the relief sheets on the base plate.

Punches and Chisels

These are most important items in the tool box of an art plate artisan.
These are the tools that are used for engraving the designs on the base
plate, working the minute details on the reliefs, refining the coarse
impressions etc.

3.5 Detailed Production Process

Step 1: Preparation of Brass Base Plate

Brass sheets are purchased from the market and circular cuttings of
required size are made from the brass sheet using a cutting machine. The
circular brass plate is then shaped using a mechanical press. The shaped
brass plate is given finishing touches using grinding machine and
polishing machine. The edges of the brass plate are folded by hammering
or by use of a spinning machine. Most artisans today buy the shaped
brass plates from a vendor.
 Cluster Value Chain Mapping

Step 2: Making Silver Sheets

Silver sheets and Copper sheets are required for making the reliefs. The
copper sheets are available in the market while the silver sheets have to
be made by the artisans themselves. Solid lumps of silver are melted in a
crucible on a blower furnace. The molten silver is poured into bar moulds
to obtain silver bars. The silver bar is then fed into the sheet rolling
machine to produce silver sheets.
 Cluster Value Chain Mapping

Step 3: Preparation of Relief Pattern and Lead Dies

Lead dies with design patterns are required so that the silver and copper
sheets can be placed on them and hammered to get the impression of the
design on the sheets. To make these lead dies, the required design is first
made on a copper plate, and then the craftsman casts the lead dies by
poring molten lead over either side of the copper plate. Now we have two
lead dies - male and female die.

The artisan outsources the process of lead die making. He gives the
copper plate with the required design to a die maker, who then makes the
lead dies.
 Cluster Value Chain Mapping

Step 4: Making Primary and Secondary Reliefs

The silver and copper sheets are cut into required sizes, pressed between
the male and female dies, and hammered to get the impression of the
design on the sheets. Subsequently the craftsman works with a chisel on
the rough design to give it a finished look.
 Cluster Value Chain Mapping

Step 5: Engraving Work on the Base Plate fixed on the Wax Base

The shaped brass plate is fixed onto a base board made of wax mixture
before it is worked upon. The base board is used to provide the a solid
background for the artisan to cut grooves and rivet relief sheets.

The craftsman cuts grooves on the base plate for the relief sheets to be
encrusted onto them.

Step 6: Encrusting the Reliefs on the Base Plate

The hollow depressions at the back of the relief sheets are filled with a
locally prepared wax. The relief sheets are then encrusted onto the base
plate.
 Cluster Value Chain Mapping

Step 7: Polishing

The plate is washed in diluted sulphuric acid, soap nut water, tamarind
water, and brushed with a soft wire brush to obtain a polished
appearance.

Step 8: Value Addition

The art plate may be fixed on a wooden shield or wooden base to enhance
the aesthetic value of the product. A wood cutting machine is used to cut
the wood into the desire shape. Sometimes the art plate is fitted with a
transparent plastic doom to protect the art plate from losing its
appearance over time.
 Preamble

Production Steps: 10'' Art Plate / To be modified

2
Cluster Value Chain Mapping
Cluster Value Chain Mapping
 Cluster Value Chain Mapping

3.6 Value Chain - 10'' Art Plate

Shaped Brass Shaped Base Plate - 180

Base Plate

Silver 5g - 242
Silver sheet
Silver Sheeting - 8
making

Copper Sheet 20g - 20

Preparing Die set up - 20
Reliefs Wax 50g - 25

Fitting Charges - 70
Encrusting Grinding - 10
Reliefs Miscellaneous - 23

Polishing Polishing cost - 20/Plate

Acrylic Doom - 45/Plate

Finished Art
Doom Fixing - 5/Plate
Plate
Hook Fixing - 2/Plate

2
 Cluster Value Chain Mapping

Cost of Production of 10'' Art Plate

S.No Item Cost (Rs.) Percentage

of total
production
cost
Raw Material
1. Shaped Brass Plate (350g) 180 26.86%
2. Silver (5g) 242 36.11%
3. Copper Sheet (20g) 20 2.98%
Total Raw Material Cost 442 65.97%
Labour Charges
4. Fitting Work 70 10.44%
5. Grinding 10 1.49%
6. Polishing 20 2.89%
7. Doom Fixing 5 0.74%
8. Hook Fixing 2 0.29%
Total Labour Charges 135 20.14%
Outsourced Work
9. Silver Sheet Rolling 8 1.19%
10. Lead Die Making 20 2.98%
Others
11. Wax 25 3.73%
12. Miscellaneous 23 3.43%
13. Acrylic Doom 45 6.71%
Total Production Cost of 670 100%
10'' Art Plate

Raw Material Labour Charges Others

13.88%

20.15%
65.97%

3
 Cluster Value Chain Mapping

3.7 Market Linkage

The demand for art plates comes from various sources like colleges,
government institutions, tourists, regional market, and Indians living
abroad. Usually the artisans recieve orders from individual customers,
institutional buyers, and those approaching through word of mouth. There
are commercial middlemen in the form of jewellery shops, gift shops, and
handicraft showrooms. The art plates are also sold in exhibitions in India
and abroad. Victoria Technical Institute (VTI), Chennai is another
important marketing linkage. Art plates are also exported to international
markets through handicraft organisations or merchant exporters.
According to a recent study it is found that most Art plate enterprises
over-utilize their installed capacity, this is a sign that there is good
demand for the art plates.

The art plates have become popular as mementos and prizes. Increasing
domestic and international tourism to Thanjavur helps in boosting the
market for Art Plates.

3.8 Scope for Product Diversification

There is much scope for product diversification in the cluster. The high
craftsmanship involved in art plate production could be used to create
both decorative and utility products in tune with contemporary demand.
Jewel boxes, key chains, mirror stands, cups, bowls, caskets, are some
possible products.

4
 Cluster Value Chain Mapping

3.9 Cluster Map

Machinery Machinery
Design and Product Raw Material
and Tool Repairing and
Development Suppliers
Suppliers Servicing

TNHDC Money
(Poompuhar)
Lenders

DIC Art Plate DC

Units Handicrafts

Thanjavur Art
Plate Society EPCH

Bulk Orders Society

from Retail Shops Common Tourists Exhibitions
Institutions Showroom

5
 Cluster Value Chain Mapping

3.10 Principal Stakeholders

Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd

This corporation is registered under the Companies Act, and has its
headquarters at Madras. It is owned by the government of Tamil Nadu.
The main activities of the corporation are the development and production
of Handicrafts of Tamil Nadu. It has production centers in various parts of
Tamil Nadu. The organisation markets various handicrafts of Tamil Nadu
under the brand name Poompuhar.

District Industries Center (DIC)

The District Industries Centre, located in all district headquarters, is the
State government body functioning under the aegis of department of
industries and commerce. DIC implements various schemes to promote
MSME sector.

Thanjavur Art Plate Workers Co-operative Cottage Industries

Society Limited
The cooperative society was formed for the welfare of the artisans to
enable organised marketing of the Thanjavur art plates. The society
purchases the art plates from the members and markets them. It also
procures orders for art plates from private institutions and government
agencies. The society makes an annual sales of 25 lakh rupees.

Poompuhar Art Plate Production Center, Thanjavur

The center is a production unit of Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development
Corporation Ltd. The center specialises in the production of Thanjavur Art
Plates. The annual turnover of this production center is around 113 Lakhs.
The center also implements the one year training scheme in the
production of Thanjavur Art plates exclusively for women.

ITCOT Consultancy and Services Limited (ITCOT)

ITCOT Consultancy and Services Limited, popularly known as ITCOT, is
the state technical consultancy organization, promoted by all India
financial institutions, State Development Corporations and Commercial
Banks. ITCOT has wide experience in providing support services to micro
and small enterprises under various government schemes. ITCOT, having

6
 Cluster Value Chain Mapping

its head office at Chennai, has project offices at Cuddalore, Puducherry,

Erode and Salem involved in enterprise promotion and development.
ITCOT has been appointed by the Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development
Corporation Limited as a consultant to formulate the plant and machinery
requirements for the envisaged Common Facility Center.

7
 SWOT & Need Gap Analysis

4 SWOT AND NEED GAP ANALYSIS

4.1 SWOT Analysis of the Thanjavur Art Plate Cluster

STRENGTHS OPPORTUNITIES
 SWOT & Need Gap Analysis

Thanjavur Art Plate is a GI The upcoming Common Facility

(Geographical Indication) tagged Center with facilities for pressing
product. and sheet rolling like can
augment productivity and lower
The exquisite craftsmanship and the cost of production.
the unique aesthetics of art plate
work is irreplaceable, so there There is much scope for product
will always be demand for art diversification in the cluster. Art
plates from institutional buyers plate craftsmanship can be used
for gifting purposes. to make decorative articles that
are in tune with contemporary
The artisans are high skilled, demand.
creative, and show tremendous
commitment towards their craft Setting up a raw material bank
rather than treating it as a and purchasing raw material in
commercial activity. bulk can significantly reduce
costs since raw material
The artisans are open to accounts for about 66% of the
adapting to new production total production cost.
processes if their efficacy is
demonstrated. Higher disposable income among
the people means that they
Availability of institutional would spend more on art and
support from TNHDC, DIC, decorative items.
Thanjavur Art Plate Workers'
Society. The Art Plate Workers' Society
can play a valuable role in the
cluster by taking up activities
like marketing and providing
credit facility.

The artisans can market their

products on e-commerce
platforms, thus enabling access
to a wider market.

WEAKNESS THREATS
Art plate craft is heavily Increasing labour cost and metal
dependent on hand work, there cost has affected the profitability
is very little scope for technology of craft, leading to closure of
intervention to improve some art plate enterprises and
productivity. artisans moving away from art
plate production.
The art is purely a decorative
item, it has no utility value, this The craft may become a thing of
 Project Interventions

inhibits the market scope of the the past if the cluster fails to
product. orient itself to the demands of
the contemporary market by
Lack of product diversification in diversifying its products.
the cluster. The product line in
the cluster is narrow and faces Younger generations do not want
the constraints of a limited to continue in the traditional
market. Art plate is the major occupation; they want to move
product, and the design motifs to white collar jobs.
are mostly inspired from Hindu
mythology. This lack of product High competition within the
and design diversification has cluster due to narrow product
limited its market. line.

The institutional weaknesses of Hasty implementation of CFCs

cooperative societies like limited without proper diagnostic studies
resources, lack of managerial lead to dormant CFCs which do
skills, and excessive government not have any positive impact on
interference, curtail the the cluster. This is all the more
effectiveness of the society in true for handicraft clusters which
the cluster. are qualitatively different from
other clusters. There are also
Lack of institutional cooperation significant challenges in
between Poompuhar and DIC developing a suitable model for
hampers the potential of the the effective management of the
cluster. CFC.

Lack of access to formal sources There is a distrust of Poompuhar

of credit forces the artisans to among the artisans. The artisans
borrow from informal lenders at may lack a feeling a ownership
exorbitant rates. of the CFC as it is being built
inside the Poompuhar premises.
Rely heavily on traditional Moreover the CFC has the
market linkages and word of danger of becoming a auxiliary
mouth. Poompuhar production center
than a effective common facility
for the artisans.

4.2 Need Gap Analysis

Key Concern Areas Remedial Measures

High cost of shaped Setting up a shaping machine in the CFC will

brass plates help in providing the artisans with shaped brass
at a lower cost, thus increasing the overall

2
 Project Interventions

income of the artisans.

Lack of larger sheet Setting up an advanced sheet rolling machine in

rolling facility the CFC will enable the artisans to make silver
sheets as per their need.

Lack of design and In addition to making art plates with traditional

product diversification motifs, the artisans could make modern motifs
that are more suited to the demands of the
contemporary society. For instance, the newer
designs could include motifs of sports icons,
global figures, etc.

3
 Project Interventions

5 PROJECT INTERVENTIONS

5.1 Creation of Common Facility Center (CFC)

A common facility center is envisaged in the cluster with an objective to

ensure economy of scale, price competitiveness, and application of
technology.

CFC

The proposed CFC has a built up area of around 1000 square feet. The
construction of the CFC is already underway in the Poompuhar campus at
Thanjavur.

5.2 Rationale for Common Facility

1. The cost of the shaped brass sheet alone amounts to about 27% of
the total cost of production. The proportion of the cost of shaped
brass plate of total production cost is next only to the irreducible
raw material cost of silver. Today the artisans buy the shaped brass
sheets from a middleman. Based on our assessment there are good
prospects for reducing the cost of the shaped brass plate if there is
 Project Interventions

2. a common facility for producing shaped brass plates from brass

sheets.

3. An induction furnace to melt silver could replace the current method

of melting silver in a coal furnace. The melting of silver is clean and
more efficient in a induction furnace. Today, the well informed
among the jewelers and silver smiths use the induction furnace for
melting silver.

4. The silver sheet is the component that contributes much to the

aesthetics of the art plate. However, since silver is a precious metal,
silver is not available in sheet form in the market. The artisans have
to make their own silver sheets from solid silver lumps. A sheet
rolling machine is required to make silver sheets. Most artisans
cannot afford to won a sheet rolling machine hence they have to
outsource the work to one who has the machine. Thus it is
 Project Interventions

5. concluded that a common facility for sheet rolling would be useful

for the artisans.
 Project Interventions

5.3 Scope for Intervention in the Production Process

Buy shaped brass base plate

Common hydraulic pressing machine can

be installed to produce shaped base
plates.
Buffing machine to polish the base plate.

Preparing silver sheets from

solid silver

Electric Furnace to melt silver

Common sheet rolling machine can be
installed to make silver sheets

Make silver and copper reliefs

using lead dies

Encrusting the reliefs on the

base plate

Polishing

Make wooden shields

Common wood cutting machine can be

installed.
 Project Interventions

5.4 Proposed Machinery for the CFC

The specifications of the proposed machinery for the CFC are given in the table below:

S.No Item Specification Cost per Prospective Suppliers

Unit (Rs.)
1. Hydraulic Pressing 80 Ton H-Type Hydraulic Deep Hi-Deep Engineering Works
Machine Drawing Press #224, New Tiny Sector,
Total Press Height - 1700 to 1800
Park Road,
mm
Cylinder Stroke - 300 mm Ambattur Industrial Estate,
Bed - 700 mm x 700 mm x 80 mm Chennai - 600058
Day Light Gap - 400 mm 9,70,000 Mobile - 9381027101
Email: hideep.engg@gmail.com
Avg production capacity - 500 to
600 plates in 8 hours
Operation space <100 sq ft
Warranty - 1 year
2. Sheet Rolling 24'' x 12'' Dia Sheet Rolling New Light Rolling Mills
Machine Machine Ram Talai, G.T. Road,
EN 24 Roller 4,50,000 Amritsar - 143001
15 HP Motor Phone : 0183 2583741
SS Frame
3. Beading Machine For Round Plate Hi-Deep Engineering Works
Table Size - 800mm x 1000mm x #224, New Tiny Sector,
650mm 4,50,000
Park Road,
Clamping Cylinder - Stroke 300mm
Ambattur Industrial Estate,

1
 Project Interventions

Chennai - 600058
Mobile - 9381027101
Email: hideep.engg@gmail.com
6. Induction Furnace Silver Melting
Temperature: 30C to 1050C
Power Supply :Single phase, 20,000
230Volt
Capacity:1 Kg to 25 Kg
7. Tools and
Accessories Around 10% of Total Machinery Cost 2,00,000

Total Cost 20,90,000

Contingency (10% of Total Cost) 2,09,000

Grand Total 22,99,000