News
Mechanic turns out steel and wood block cutting machine
Mr. Weerakkody, a 43-year-old father of two from Katumana in Nuwara Eliya and a mechanic by profession has turned out a block-cutting and moulding machine using discarded pieces of metal.
Weerakody from Katumana in Nuwara Eliya
According to Weerakkody his locally made machine is capable of molding or cutting steel or wooden blocks into different shapes and sizes. He added that this machine which cost around Rs. 4,000/-, would be an asset to craftsmen involved in turning out decorative pieces made with both wood as well as metal.
Born and bred in the upcountry areas where craftsmen turn out works of art for export, Weerakkody works as a mechanic at garment factories in the area. Initially he had noticed artisans in the metal and wood crafts using expensive imported machines, which they used to turn out their varied art forms.
He had also noticed that a number of craftsmen were unable to purchase these machines because of the expense involved.
He then decided to try his hand at manufacturing one of these machines using scrap metal. With a little luck on his side, he was able to turn out a sample machine inside of six months which cost around Rs. 4,000/-. Weerakkody said this cost was well within the reach of the local people.
The Nuwara Eliya district Development Secretariat has been satisfied with the performance of Weerakkody’s invention and is considering patenting the machine.
The secretariat is looking forward to attracting the attention of the IDB to the invention, in order to takeout an international patent on the machine, which according to them will help the country save valuable foreign exchange.
Mr Weerakody's block-cutting and moulding machine uses discarded pieces of metal