DEVELOPMENT OF AN ORANGE PEELER

Abstract

ABSTRACT IR An orange peeler was developed with a view to mechanize the operation of orange peeling unit and remove the drudgery involved in manual peeling. Prior to machine development, measurement of physical dimensions of sweet orange was carried out. Also, an experiment was carried out to study the effect of oranges of different degrees of ripeness on the peeling force. Based on these data, an orange peeler which applies the intermittent motion of Geneva and Scotch yoke mechanisms was designed. The materials for fabrication of component were selected from available local materials. The various components were carefully assembled together and the total cost of machine production amounted to twenty-nine thousand and one hundred and forty naira (N29, 140.00). The machine was tested and the materials for the mating members were functioning as there was no break in transmission between them during operation. The machine was also tested for peeling oranges of different degrees of ripeness. The result shows that the machine capacity and functional efficiency obtained for yellow samples of oranges were 5.82Kg/h and 70.2%, the machine capacity and functional efficiency obtained for pale yellow samples of orange were 5.45Kg/h--and 67.9%, and the machine capacity and functional efficiency obtained for green samples of orange were 5.41 Kg/h and 72.7%