Efforts to encourage the development of the textile industry, which is engaged in by small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs), continue to be pursued, among others by making work support equipment so that the textile production process is more efficient and modern. One of them is through the breakthrough of making eco-pounding machines to help the process of printing leaves and flowers on cloth more effectively and efficiently. Eco-pounding is a technique for printing motifs or patterns on fabrics from natural materials, such as leaves and flowers.
When the leaves and flowers are hit with a hammer along with the cloth, the pigment is released which is then printed on the cloth. The type, shape, color of the beaten leaves and flowers will give a unique and beautiful motif on a cloth which can then be made into clothes, pants, headscarves, shawls, and so on.
This eco-punding machine was successfully made by a group of students from the Mechanical Engineering Department of Sampoerna University which was then applied to MSME-scale textile artisans, Lenteng Agung Sejahtera (Lentera) in South Jakarta.
This eco-punding machine will then be able to help textile artisans increase their production volume. Dr. Farid Triawan, Head of the Sampoerna University Mechanical Engineering Study Program explained, the manufacture of eco-pounding machines is part of the university's commitment to implementing the Tri-Dharma of Higher Education, namely community service, especially in the development and empowerment of MSMEs in Indonesia.
"In the eco-pounding process, the work of hitting the hammer on the cloth is very tiring and takes a lot of time. The challenges faced by UMKM Lentera provide an opportunity for us to create innovative solutions that can lighten their workload. Our lecturers and students also collaborate to produce machines that can speed up and simplify the work of craftsmen, so that the amount of production can be increased," he said in a written statement quoted on Tuesday, July 3, 2023.
He explained, the making of this eco-punding machine was armed with knowledge during student lectures in class and became part of the coursework. The students were given the task of designing and building a prototype machine that could assist the eco-pounding process.
The process starts from looking for mechanism ideas and machine shapes, analyzing machine structures, designing mechatronics and automation functions, up to making and assembling machines. For about 4 months, the students finally succeeded in creating six types of machines with different designs and mechanisms. These machines were then exhibited to lecturers, students and representatives of UKM Lentera.
“Every student must be trained to be able to apply the knowledge gained while in college to help people's lives. This is also one of the goals of the Merdeka Learning Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) program launched by the government," said Farid in the opening session of the exhibition.
Fatima Tasya, one of the student representatives from the winners, shared her experience in making eco-pounding machines. "The task of designing and building an eco-pounding machine was one of the most difficult, stressful and at the same time most exciting college assignments while I was studying at Sampoerna University," he said.
Another student, namely Ramses who came from Papua Province also said, "The task of making this machine provides a real challenge for me to apply various theories from lectures which are expected to be of benefit to society."
In this exhibition, two machines were selected as the machines with the best design and function. The assessment was given by representatives of UKM Lentera and the lecturers who were present that day.
“I see that these tools have great potential to be used by eco-pounding craftsmen at our place. Furthermore, these tools need to be slightly modified according to the size required by the craftsmen," said Sarmili, the Supervisor of UKM Lentera.
