It was here that the entire process of transforming raw cotton into cloth was gathered within the same building for the first time. It was the first successful power-driven textile mill in the world. First using water to power his machines, Lowell located his factory on the Charles River at Waltham. They added a second mill in 1818 and a third one in 1820. Lowell and his brother-in-law, Patrick Tracy Jackson, incorporated their business in 1814 with one brick structure, six stories tall. For the first time mass production of finished textile products became possible. These inventions revolutionized the organization of all the technical processes by which cloth was made. Lowell copied successful designs of power looms that had been in use in England and invented an improved version of the power loom and other related devices for use in the United States. With more work on the enclosure, we might be able to bring down the noise levels further,” revealed Mallya.The textile industry in the United States entered a new era in 1814 when Francis Cabot Lowell created the first successful American power loom in Waltham, Massachusetts. Drop in noise levels to the tune of 32 dBA is a relief. Even though we were standing next to the loom, it appeared as if we are standing in a room with normal sound of any office set up. While standing outside the house, we found that the noise levels were at just 55 to 58 dBA which is national standard set by the Central Pollution Control Board. “With all the windows closed and looms covered with special enclosure, the noise levels were reduced by 32 dBA (decibel). The team, which included Hima Kiran, Parikshith Mallya and Dr BV Vijay, implemented the idea at one of the power looms in Srinagar. The enclosure had 25 mm particle board pasted with 50 mm cone shaped acoustic foam.” The enclosure partially surrounded the noise sources in the machine and had effects on the noise levels. Making use of available technology, an enclosure was built using a particle board with PU foam internal lining. Giving details of the study, Madan J, general manager, Techno Centre-TCE of the Ramaiah University, said, “We focused on the acoustics surrounding the machine. India's textile heritage now part of Google project About 60,000 families are dependent on these machines for their livelihood. In Bengaluru alone there are close to 15,000 power looms weaving yarns inside narrow alleys of Chickpet, Rajajinagar, Srinagar, Yelahanka, Bommanahalli, Dommasandra and Gottigere. A simple structure with sound- absorbing foam insulation around the loom has resolved the problem. Experimenting for over a month, the four-member team has succeeded in reducing the decibel level and ensure peaceful nights to neighbourhood locals. The textile department had given a power loom to scientists of MS Ramaiah University to study the noise levels and come up with mechanism to reduce noise pollution. Buoyed by the success, the textile department is considering extension of technology across Bengaluru and others parts of the state to bring down noise pollution caused by power looms. Their simple redesign of acoustics surrounding the looms has not only reduced the noise levels but also proved to be a cheaper option for the cash strapped weavers. Working for months with experts and scientists of MS Ramaiah University in Peenya, the textile department has finally succeeded in hushing the noisy looms in Bengaluru. Caught in the pincer, the textile department had a daunting task to safeguard the interest of weavers as well as ensure low decibel levels. The relentless noise of rattling looms had even pushed decibel levels to new height in residential areas prompting the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) to crack the whip on such units by slapping notices. Weaving yarns for their livelihood in the alleys of central Bengaluru, hundreds of weavers had drawn flak from their neighbours owing to clatter of their power looms. Textile department deploys acoustics to hush loud looms and control noise levels
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