With the robust parabolic frame of the Prince 23 cooker securely assembled, the focus shifts to preparing its surface to capture the sun's energy. This next stage in the V2SDF training introduces the crucial layer that will bridge the structure with its high-performance function.

From July 7th to 25th, 2025, within the hands-on environment of the LTCR Mushasha pilot workshops, educators from CEM Gitaba, CEFORE Rusi, and LTCR Mushasha advanced to a detailed application phase. The task centered on the placement and installation of the thin support sheeting for the mirrors onto the completed structure of the Prince 23 parabolic solar cooker.

This process required precision and care. Participants learned to measure, cut, and fit the thin metal sheets onto the curved frame, ensuring a smooth, continuous, and stable surface. Each sheet was carefully positioned and fastened to form the perfect substrate that will later hold the individual reflective mirror tiles, creating the cooker's large, light-concentrating parabolic dish.

Why This Step is Fundamental for Functionality:

• Creating the Optical Base: A perfectly fitted and smooth sheet metal surface is non-negotiable for the accurate alignment of mirrors. It is the foundational "canvas" upon which the cooker's reflective efficiency is built.

• Adapting Skills to a New Design: Applying this skill to the Prince 23 model reinforces the educators' ability to adapt core fabrication techniques—like precise cutting and metal shaping—to different geometries and specifications.

• Transition to Finishing: This task marks the key transition from constructing the cooker's load-bearing "skeleton" to applying its functional "skin," moving the project visibly closer to a finished product.

The workshop activity demonstrated a fusion of structural understanding and detailed craftsmanship. Seeing the open framework gradually clad in a uniform metallic surface made the cooker's final form and purpose increasingly clear.

By mastering the installation of the mirror support sheeting, the educators are solidifying a comprehensive skill set. They are learning to guide the complete transformation from bent steel bars to a fully prepared solar energy collector, ensuring that every Prince 23 cooker produced locally will be built to exacting standards for performance and durability.

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