CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.      IDENTIFICATION OF NEEDIn recent years Nigeria lays strong emphasis on mass literacy and indigenous technology.  Printed matters are indispensable material in mass literacy campaign. The trend towards indigenous technology imposes a severe clamp down on imported engineering including printing machinery.  Thus, the situation is such that makes the acquisition of printing machinery from outside our own borders extremely difficult.To lessen the economic strain on the mass literacy campaign, the production of local printing machinery I s apparently imperative.  It is this fact that rendered initiative to the conception and realization of this low cost but efficient printing machine based entirely on local technology and resources.

This machine is very useful in the printing of many items like paperbacks, cards, leatherbacks etc.  Its design is expected to motivate and advance the design and construction of other machines destined for similar purposes and based on indigenous technology and resources.

1.2       PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT

Civilization and complexity of modern society has brought a number of social problems to be traced.

            The use of textbooks, printed materials such as success cards and posters has now become imperative for the overall dissemination of heart felt  feelings and messages to friends both near and far.

            Unfortunately, the prevailing economic pr oblem in the country (Nigeria) have sky rocketed the prices of these items.  Renders for example now rely solely on the libraries for up dating their knowledge.

            It becomes clear then, the need to equip the libraries to met up with the challenges of their services.

            Apart from refurbishing damaged books libraries are expected to render services such as printing of cards, printing and binding of students write ups like thesis, project etc.

            All this needs formed the basis for the construction of this machine because these functions cannot be performed without a printing machine.