Handicraft exporter buys more wood moisture meters
October 7, 2015
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DOST-FPRDI’s Engr. Gil B. Dolotina (standing) demonstrates how to use the FPRDI digital wood moisture meter to 13 staff and suppliers of Basket and Weaves, a handicraft maker and exporter based in Paranaque City.
“The techno-demo was held after the company purchased 16 units of the device,” says DOST-FPRDI’s Grecelda A. Eusebio. “Ms. Carol M. Fobuena, Basket and Weaves Merchandise Manager, told us they decided to order more moisture meters after being satisfied with the performance of the four units they bought last year.”
The digital wood moisture meter was developed in 2009 by a team led by Dr. Marina A. Alipon. Designed especially for small industry players, the gadget reads the moisture content particularly of Philippine wood species. It was built using local spare parts and is Php 10,000 to 15,000 cheaper than imported meters at only PhP 5,500 per unit.
“Knowing how much moisture a piece of wood contains is crucial in ensuring the quality of resulting products,” explains Alipon. “For example, the moisture content of wooden products bound for temperate countries must be low enough (about 7-10%) so that they do not distort, shrink, or crack while in service. About 120 handicraft and furniture firms nationwide are now using the gadget.”
The FPRDI digital wood moisture meter is the recipient of several awards, including the Outstanding Utility Model at the 2010 National Invention Contests and Exhibits; Third Prize in the 8th National S&T Fora and Competition in Industry and Energy Research and Development and the F.O. Tesoro Technology Transfer Award in 2009, among others. It has also received a Certificate of Registration on Utility Model from the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines.
Basket and Weaves, on the other hand, has been exporting its hand-crafted home decors and housewares for 10 years now. About 70 percent of its products are sold to the US, while the rest are bound for Japan, Australia and Europe. (Rizalina K. Araral, 5 October 2015)#
