Manufacturing
Many people in the world are involved in micro and small scale enterprises (MSEs) manufacturing equipment and producing goods, often on as a family based activity or small group on a semi formal basis. These micro and small scale enterprises typically include small metal workshops, woodworking, textile production, consumer products and repair shops. They support other economic developments such as agricultural production and processing using small scale equipment.
There are many ways of making things out of waste paper and card, but they are not usually referred to as ‘technology’.
Last updated by Bevill Packer in 1995.
This technical brief outlines the basics of candlemaking on a small scale looking as the process, the materials required and the equipment used.
Rob Aley for Practical Action, March 2008, 10 pages
There are three types of paint brushes suitable for small-scale manufacture, each using similar materials and similar techniques.
Bob Spencer for Practical Action, 5 pages.
Paper making is a good example of how small industry can be developed to make use of local resources and cater for local markets while keeping capital investment down.
Practical Action, last modified Nov 2008, 12 pages
This Technical Brief describes the procedures needed to make a variety of simple soaps and includes a number of recipes for different types of soap.
Tony Swetman for Practical Action, 2008, 7 pages