Survey was conducted in 4 states in India and it was noticed that oil consumption varies from 10 to 20 litres per powerloom per year. BTRA developed centralized lubrication system for powerloom and the same was installed at 16 places @ 4 in each state. Training programmes and shop-floor demonstrations were conducted at 8 places @ 2 in each state. Audio-visual aid is developed for educating owners/jobbers/oilers of the powerloom industry. It shows various oiling/greasing points of powerloom, bad operating practices which lead to the wastage of lubricants, proper handling/distribution systems and benefits of the tailor-made centralized BTRA developed lubrication system. Seminars @ one in each state is conducted.
In Cimmco type of auto looms, the motor drive system is through V-belt and cone clutch. In Ruti-B type of auto looms, it is through motor pinion and gear wheel. These drive systems are such that when loom stops for any reason, the electric motor keeps on running. The population of these types of auto looms are around 1.50 lakhs in India. The electrical consumption of these looms (having a motor capacity of 1.5 or 1.75 hp) is 12 units per loom per day. The average efficiency of these looms is ranging from 65 to 70 %, thus 30 to 35 % idle motor running occurs which results in a loss of 3.5 to 4 units per loom per day. To overcome this drawback and conserve electrical energy, BTRA has developed an ?Energy Saver Unit? as an attachment on these looms. Field trials are conducted on 200 looms situated in decentralized powerloom clusters such as Ichalkaranji, Solapur and Madhavnagar and established its utility. Prepared audio-visual aid to highlight the drawback in the motor drive, installation of energy saver unit, functioning of the unit, its utility and improvement in life of various loom parts of motor drive mechanism. Conducted 3 workshops at Ichalkaranji, Solapur and Madhavnagar and the number of participants attended was around 120. The product is licensed to two parties for the manufacture and supply.