Abstract

Some problems identified in Cameroon relating to cereal processing are lack of grinding mills for household use. The burr plates of a grinding mill produce metallic fillings that when accumulated in food are hazardous to our health, some households in rural areas trek long distances to access the grinding mill and blenders are not adapted to grind most cereals.

It is due to these problems that we carried out a research on the “Design and simulation of a cereal crusher for household use”. We came out with a cereal crusher design having motor characteristics of 1.5 kW, 60Hz, 220-240V a rotational speed of 5298.60 rpm a shaft of length 50mm and diameter 13mm and cutting blades of minimum cross-sectional area 10mm2 and length 100mm, a crush cabin of 7.5litres and a crushing force of 25.65 N. With these dimensions we showed that 3kg of cereal could be crushed in less than 3 minutes.

The volumetric size and characteristics of the cereal crusher are in between those of the grinding mill and the blender. The problem of iron fillings resulting from burr plats during grinding were eliminated as the crushing blades perform the function of the burr plates and the rural people will no longer need to trek long distances as they will have the cereal crusher at home.

CHAPTER ONE

BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

1.0. Introduction

Cameroon is a developing country in which more than half of its population is involved in agriculture. Her main agricultural products are cereals, bananas, potatoes, yams etc. It is therefore important to contribute in the processing of these products.

We desire to contribute in processing, especially the grinding process. Our contribution here is the “Design and Simulation a cereal crusher for household use”. This will be beneficial to the economy (industries, government, youths and crop processors and individuals).

1.1. Justification of the choice of topic and statement of the problem

1.1.1.   Justification of the choice of topic

The grain and cereal grinding mills that we have today have big volumes and consume much electric energy. Also, they are noisy and produce a lot of vibration during their operation. Moreover, the burr plates used in our grinding mills produce metallic filings which when accumulated can be hazardous to our health.

To continue, some families trek long distances in order to access the grinding mill.

On the other hand, the blender is inefficient to grind grain and other food stuff since it was not designed to grind grain but spices and ingredients.

Therefore, a machine midway between the grinding mill and the blender may just be the solution to all these shortcomings. We thus set out to design and simulate a cereal crusher for household use. It is envisaged that the machine volume will be smaller than that of the grinding mill but bigger than that of the blender.

1.1.2. Statement of the problem

Households in Cameroon face fundamental problems with grain grinding including:

• Lack of grinding mills for household use
• The burr plates of grinding mills produce metallic fillings that are hazardous to our health
• Some households in rural areas trek long distances to access the grinding mill
• Blenders are not adapted to grind most cereal

These problems have brought untold suffering to our rural communities. A simple, cheap and efficient cereal crusher will surely be a great relief for the rural woman in the region.

1.2. Research Question

1. Is it possible to design a cereal crusher for household use?
2. Is it possible to simulate a cereal crusher for household use?
3. Is it possible to realize a cereal crusher for household use?

1.3. Research Hypotheses

We consider only the null hypothesis (H0):

H0: Cereal crusher for household use can be designed and simulated

The success of this project is will be indication that the hypothesis is null (H0) otherwise it is alternative (H1) and hence my claim to design and simulate a cereal crusher for household use is false.

1.4. Objectives of the study

1.4.1. General Objective

The general objective of this research is to dimension the cereal crusher, draw its assembly drawing on AutoCAD and perform its 3D modelling and simulation on SOLIDWORKS.

1.4.2.   Specific Objectives

The specific objectives of this project are as follows:

1. To perform an investigative study on the blender
2. To carry out an experimental study to determine the energy required to crack a maize grain
3. To dimension important parts like the cutting blades and the output shaft and choose a motor for the cereal crusher
4. To draw the 2D assembly of a cereal crusher and propose materials for its manufacturing
5. To design a 3D model of a cereal crusher on SOLIDWORKS and simulate it

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