Research cane

• Rattan is an extremely sustainable material because of its economic value, rapid growth, transportation.
• Rattan is  a plant that requires very little maintenance except for weeding and during harvestation. Also that they require simpler tools.
• Its ease to grow faster than most tropical wood makes it a potential tool in forest maintenance.
• The cane plant of the grass family is known to minimize CO2 gases and generates upto 35% more O2 as compared to other timber producing trees.
• Rattan is extremely strong , light weight and a durable material and also flexible to a certain extent.
• Also cane/ rattan has an additional advantage as it is a water resistant material which makes it ideal for garden and and outdoor furniture.
• Generally, raw rattan is processed into several products to be used as materials in furniture making. The various species of rattan range from several millimeters up to 5–7 cm in diameter. 
• Many of the properties of rattan that make it suitable for furniture also make it a popular choice for making handicraft and art pieces. Uses include rattan baskets, plant containers and other decorative works, musical instruments, etc.

PROCESSING

 Rattan goes through a lengthy process before it is taken to the market to be sold.

•  Firstly rattan poles are harvested.
• The plant is then cleared of its leaves and spikes 
• Then it is cut to a standard and manageable length.
• The topmost skin is then scraped off to ensure that drying will be even throughout the length of the rattan pole.
• The scraped rattan pole is then dried in the sun for a week or two. The immature rattan poles

 and the ones affected with fungi etc would be identified and then eliminated.

Then these rattan poles are bundled and transported to the processing unit.

If they are to be stored for a longer period of time they are boiled in a mixture of oil and sulphur so that they 

are free from pests.It also helps in enhancing the pale yellow colour.

At the manufacturing unit all these rattan poles are passed through a rattan sizing machine so that they are 

of a uniform thickness throughout.

A rattan pole sanding machine eliminates  the  excess fibres even  before it is worked on.

The rattan pole is then steam bent and straightened.

 It is after this that these rattan poles are bundled again and are transported to markets from where they are 

sold as raw materials.  

Bending Rattan Poles

Rattan pole can be bent by using a blow torch. But this process produces a lot of burn marks on the surface which degrades the product quality and value. Thus, steaming is the most preferable method.
For steaming the process that is followed is as follows:

•  Firstly the poles are to be bent by steaming them in an enclosed chamber with a temparature of about 100 degree celcius at atmospheric pressure.
• Then, the poles are to be removed one at a time from the steaming chamber and then manually bent with the help of custom made jigs.
• The poles are then cooled and held in the same constricted position in order to hold the shape for a minimum of 24 hours.
• The bends are later adjusted and refined using a blow torch.