The tiered umbrella, known as chatras, stands as one of the most revered and oldest decorative symbols in Thailand. Crafting one of these detailed pieces has traditionally required master artisans to invest approximately six months of dedicated work. Nonetheless, researchers have introduced a groundbreaking method of fabricating these seven-tiered umbrellas with the aid of powerful lasers, significantly shortening the manufacturing period. By utilizing carbon dioxide lasers, they successfully created stainless steel umbrellas in just a few days while maintaining their exquisite details.
The tiered umbrella is one of Thailand’s most historical and sacred decorative symbols, found on pagodas, within Buddhist ordination halls, and at royal residences. The creation of these intricate pieces, known as chatras, typically takes master craftsmen up to six months.
According to the Journal of Laser Applications, published by AIP Publishing, researchers have developed a method for producing seven-tiered umbrellas with high-powered lasers, which significantly decreases the time required for production. They employed carbon dioxide lasers to construct stainless steel umbrellas in a matter of days while keeping their beautiful designs intact.
“Currently, there are few craftsmen capable of creating tiered umbrellas,” stated author Pichet Limsuwan. “Our hope is to demonstrate an innovative method to aid in preserving arts and culture in Thailand.”
The use of chatras can be traced back to the Dvaravati Kingdom, which governed the area now known as Thailand 1,400 years ago. Royal chatras typically come in odd-numbered tiers of five, seven, and nine, denoting the status of princes, crown princes, and kings, respectively.
Limsuwan began his exploration into the traditions and crafting techniques of chatras a year ago. His initial months involved sifting through significant historical texts written in Thai and compiling his findings into an English-language history, a task not commonly undertaken by physicists.
Chatras are adorned with intricately designed brass and typically feature white silk canopies edged with gold and precious stones. These conical structures hover above sacred sites, with each tier broadening as it descends.
“A new king cannot take his place on the throne beneath the nine-tiered umbrella until the coronation ceremony concludes,” noted Limsuwan.
The employment of lasers in crafting these detailed items offers numerous advantages, such as precise cuts, smooth edges, and the capability to shape complex designs.
However, traditional brass, commonly used for chatras, reflects light excessively and is not ideal for laser cutting. To overcome this challenge, the team opted for stainless steel. To achieve the desired golden hue, they applied a layer of titanium nitride onto the steel through electric arcs in vacuum environments.
This innovative technique has reduced the typical six-month production time for a single umbrella to approximately 113 hours. While a majority of the process is automated, it remains possible to incorporate hand-drawn designs using standard tools available for laser manufacturing.
The research team shares detailed technical information for anyone equipped to produce umbrellas independently, including insights on vacuum and electrical parameters for titanium nitride deposition and estimated fabrication times for various components.
“Thailand boasts a rich cultural and artistic heritage,” declared Limsuwan. “Tiered umbrellas exemplify the artistic, cultural, and religious aspects of Thailand. I anticipate that future projects will explore other dimensions of the nation’s art, culture, and religious practices.”
