The candle making from paraffin waxes is an age old cottage industry which provides an avenue for the income generation to the many small scale or tiny entrepreneurs. The conventional method in candle making utilising mineral fuel requires continuous attendance, unhygienic and suffers from many drawbacks. The new machine designs for making candles utilises solar energy and obviates the problems associated with the conventional methods.

The device is very handy robust, looks like a closed box and easy to handle.

In the conventional candle making method the wax is melted in the open pot and leads to the exposure of its fumes (which are injurious to the health) to the operator.

In the solar method the process of wax melting takes place in the closed chamber slowly and the temperature never shoots up goes beyond the certain range and therefore there is no vapourisation loses or leakage of fume

The raw materials can be loaded to the machine at any convenient time namely either at night, or morning and kept under some during the day and the candles can be collected in the evening.

Advantages:

The benefits of the candle production by the solar technology are manifold as follows:

• Convenient and easy production of candles.
  
• Complete saving of fuel.
  
• Reduction in labour and vapourisation losses of wax.
  
• Longer life of solar panel.
  
• Negligible maintenance cost.
  
• No- corrosion or scaling problems.
  
• Non- polluting in nature.
  
• Noise-free and completely safe.
  

The machine needs minimum space and can be operated in the house, terrace, courtyard, field or any open area where solar radiation are easily available.

Areas of Applications:

Besides professional manufacturers the solar machine can be useful to any needy persons like farmers unemployed, retired/aged man, women or even handicapped persons etc. to earn their income.

Equipment:

Gas welding unit or Drilling Machine, Arc welding unit or Shears machine, Power hacksaw machine or Sheet cutter m/c, Spray painting unit and Press fitting m/c.

Raw Materials:

Galvanised iron sheet, Angles, Flats, Water proof ply e.g. Teak wood, Glass sheet or Glass wool.

Stage of Development:

Fully commercialised.

Economic Data:

Plant & Machinery will costs US $ 30,000 and Consultancy Fees charges will be US $ 5,000.

Source: National Research Development Corporation