One of the most crucial stages in pottery making is the drying process, which typically takes three to four days or even up to a week when the weather is unfavorable. This lengthy process affects craftsmen’s productivity, leading to delays in orders and reduced profits. Pitoyo, a pottery craftsman from Kasongan, Bantul, faces the same issue.
“It takes several days of sun-drying for the pottery to completely dry,” he said.
To address this problem, a team of students from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) participating in the Student Creativity Program for the Application of Science and Technology (PKM-PI) developed an innovative tool called the Modern and Reliable Pottery Drying System (SIGMA).
The team is led by Ahmad Herosa Harsam from the Electrical Engineering Technology program, UGM Vocational College, alongside Muhammad Rizky Mahfud (Electrical Engineering Technology), Althaf Muhammad Daffa (Mechanical Engineering), Luul Nur Azizah (Economics), and Ayu Atikah (Software Engineering Technology), under the supervision of Ma’un Budiyanto.
The device utilizes heat transfer from hot water converted into steam, which is then circulated through a fan inside an enclosed chamber. The temperature is maintained between 50-60°C. The system operates automatically, allowing users to set the desired drying duration. The process is controlled by an Arduino UNO, with the timer displayed on the LCD panel.
“You just need to set the drying time and press start; the system will run automatically,” explained Ahmad Herosa Harsam on Wednesday (Nov. 5).
This automatic pottery dryer can dry 100–200 pottery pieces in just 7-8 hours, significantly shortening production time. Moreover, it operates on affordable electrical energy, costing approximately Rp 10,000.00 per use.
In line with the team’s slogan “Faster drying, better business, right innovation,” Harsam hopes that this innovation will provide long-term benefits for Pitoyo and serve as a model for other pottery craftsmen.
“This tool shows that applied technology is essential across various fields and can truly make a difference,” he said.
Team member Muhammad Rizky Mahfud added that SIGMA employs simple, easy-to-operate technology.
“We applied an appropriate and practical technology solution to address Mr. Pitoyo’s problem,” he noted.
Pitoyo expressed his gratitude to the UGM student team after using the device, noting that SIGMA has sped up the pottery drying process and allowed him to proceed to the next stage (firing) more efficiently.
“My production has increased, and I no longer have to worry about unpredictable weather,” he shared.
Through this innovation, the SIGMA PKM-PI team emphasized that the application of science and technology can bring about meaningful change for communities.
“This project proves that even simple technological applications can make a big impact on people’s lives,” the team concluded.
Author: Jesi
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photographs: SIGMA Team