A small melting furnace for rural sector

Abstract

Artisans in rural areas of INDIA make small iron casting for various purposes by melting iron in pit furnaces, as they are not in a position to purchase costly melting equipment, other reasons for adopting this obsolete process being the seldom requirement and that too of small quantity of molten metal. In the absence of a cheaper and suitable melting equipment of their choice, they are unable to meet the local demand due to which the rural artisans feel unemployed and are left with two alternatives, either to purchase suitable equipment which is beyond the capacity or to leave the villages in search of alternative jobs in the industries of the cities. This migration of rural artisans to cities mainly affects the agriculturists who face difficulties in having the maintenance of their equipment.