Design, fabrication and performance evaluation of an Onion (Allium cepa L.) Grading Machine
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Date
2024
Authors
Shroeder A. Valdez
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Abstract
Onions (Allium cepa L.) are a significant agricultural product worldwide, recognized for their culinary and nutritional benefits. However, the traditional method of manual grading by size poses challenges for onion farmers; it is labor-intensive, inconsistent, and time-consuming, ultimately diminishing the market value of ungraded produce. This study sought to tackle these issues by designing, fabricating and evaluating an onion grading machine aimed at enhancing grading efficiency, increasing capacity and minimizing mechanical damage.
The machine was conceptualized and built using readily available materials. Its main components consist of a grading assembly featuring four oscillating sieve layers, each engineered to categorize onions into four distinct size groups: small, medium, large and jumbo. Additional features include a hopper for onion feeding, a receiving funnel for collecting sorted produce, and a power transmission system for operation. The design focused on user-friendliness, simplicity and low maintenance.
Performance evaluation were conducted to assess the machine's grading capacity efficiency, and the percentage of mechanical damage across three oscillation speeds: 30 Hz, 35 Hz and 40 Hz. The findings revealed that grading capacity improved with increased oscillation speeds, reaching a maximum of 1443.18 kg/hr at 40 Hz. Conversely, the highest grading efficiency was recorded at 35 Hz with an efficiency of 52.192%, while the lowest mechanical damage was noted at 30 Hz with just 1.24% damage. Statistical analysis confirmed significant performance variations at different speeds, designating 35 Hz as the optimal speed for achieving a balance between efficiency and damage reduction.
A cost analysis estimated the machine's annual operating costs at Php 67,587.2, with labor, repair, and power being the primary cost contributors. The study concludes that the onion grading machine presents a practical and effective solution for small to medium-scale onion farmers, significantly enhancing productivity and profitability through improved grading processes.