Primary Processing


	Primary Processing


		Mature bamboo culms are extracted following the prescribed silvicultural process and cut into convenient length varying from 50 to 250cms.In species like Dendrocalamus strictus generally characterised by short internodes(30cms) the nodal portions retained, whereas in species with long internodes (80 to100 cms) like Ochlandra travancorica and Melacana baccifera nodal portionare removed.

	Splitting of Bamboo
	Cross cut bamboo lengths are split into splints by the following methods: 1) Using a Machette 2) Hand Splitting Knives Set 3) Splitting Machine
		In splitting machine the bamboo is fixed in the machine between splitting knives set and a mechanical pushing device which pushes forward the bamboo over the splitting knives. The bamboo is split into a number of splints of equal widths depending on the number of knives present in the splitting knives set.In general width of splints vary from 10 mm to 15 mm depending on the species and quality of bamboo. The splints are allowed to dry in air to reduce m.c. to around 30%.

	Bamboo Knot Removal
		The inner and outer knots are removed from the splints either manually by a sharp knife or mechanically by a machine which sizes width and planes the surfaces also.

	Sliver Making
		The epidermal layer from the splints is removed using a sharp knife and can be set apart for making other products. Slivers ranging from 0.6 mm to 1.0 mm thickness are made from splints manually using a sharp knife.
	Manual Sliver making
		The processed splints are passed through slivering machine to produce sliver of about 0.6 mm to 1.0 mm thickness for each pass depending on machine settings.
	Sliver making from Machine


	Slivers are air dried. The dried slivers are manually woven into mats of different sizes and patterns depending on specific requirement. Two most common weaving patterns are herrying bone type (450) and rectangular type (900). The most common sizes are 250cm x 125cm, 180 cm x 125cm, 180 cm x 150cm.
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