THEORETICAL DESIGN OF A PLANTAIN PEELING MACHINE

• E O Olutomilola

  Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Akure.

• A Omoaka

  Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Akure

Peeling of plantain is a major challenge in processing of plantain because of its configuration. Mainly, plantain peeling is still being done manually. This paper presents the conceptual design of an electrically powered plantain peeling machine. The machine consists of four spring-loaded peeling blades and a reciprocating arm that pushes plantain fingers through the peeling blades. The computer aided design (CAD) model of the plantain peeling machine was developed using SolidWorks CAD application software. Suitable materials were selected for the design of the machine. Design analysis of its component parts was then carried out using appropriate design equations and performance evaluation of its frame was carried out using SolidWorks CAD application software. The aim of this study is to design a machine, with 100% local-content material consideration, that will eliminate the manual peeling of plantain. The finite element analysis conducted on the machine showed a maximum stress of 2.195 × 10⁸ N/m² and a maximum resultant displacement of 0.6959 mm being experienced at some locations on the frame when a load of 600 N was applied. Also, the minimum factor of safety value obtained was 2.414 and the estimated cost of the machine was ₦69,560. It can therefore be inferred from these results that the stress and displacement values are permissible and negligible for the machine to serve its intended purpose satisfactorily

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