Abstract

The main purpose of this research was to design a vegetable shredding machine suitable for shredding leaves. Vegetables shredding machine is a device that allows the user to shred vegetables in lesser time.

The vegetable leaves were fed manually into the machine and the output was allowed to fall on the bottom. This machine was operated manually to perform its function.

The cutting size of the vegetable was about 3mm. The cutting capacity depends on the number of times the shafts of the machine are rotated by the user.

The material for the vegetable machine is stainless steel 304 which is corrosion resistant.

A few designs were drawn manually and the dimension of each part was set. After testing this vegetable shredding machine with three different types of vegetable leaves, it was noticed that the bitter leaf and the fluted pumpkin leaves were shredded into strips, but the eru leaf was shredded with difficulty due to having texture.

It was also observed that the shredded vegetable leaves were returning again with the shafts which prevent the addition of more vegetable leaves. This problem can be solved by the use of a simple device called the stripper’s finger.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

In general cutting vegetables by hand require maximum manpower, money, and also too much time. In the cutting process, we faced various problems and these are not easy to solve.

The design of this vegetable shredding machine is very simple and easy to implement. In this manner, we are designing a vegetable shredding machine to reduce effort and time.

This is a user-friendly machine, meaning anyone can handle this machine in any working condition.

A skilled person is not required for operating this machine.

The design of a manual vegetable slicing machine is low operation cost as it eliminates the usage of electricity, safer, consistent, and affordable. However, it can be time-consuming and low efficiency.

All automated slicing machine basically includes a motor, feeder part, feeder mouth which houses a presser and cutting knife which is carried by the cutting plate.

It allows users to cut a large number of vegetables precisely in a shorter period. However, it is more expensive and difficult when it comes to maintenance operations.

1.1 Background of the Study

Knife and plastic grater was the most common devices used for slicing and grating vegetables such as paper, tomatoes, carrots, onions, and lettuce.

In 1960, the world’s first automatic vegetable cutting machine was developed.

The slicing technology has been developed mature abroad in the 1970s where most of the slicers can process nanocrystal with a large diameter up to 125mm. in the 1980s; the slicing technology has experienced its peak development with the commercials of automatic multi-function slicers.

It is not easy for does who want to cut a large number of vegetables into smaller sizes in a short period. It may also causes injuries as a result of carelessness.

As time goes by, slicing technology has been developed to overcome these problems.

The slicing machine was designed to ease the cutting of vegetables, eliminate the time wasted, and avoid injuries when using the knife.

Vegetable slicing machines can be manual-powered or automated. The design of the manual vegetable slicing machine is low operating cost as it eliminates the usage of electricity, safer, consistent, and affordable. However, it can be time-consuming and low efficiency.

An automated slicing machine basically includes a base housing a motor, feeder part, feeder mouth which houses a presser, and cutting knife which is carried by the cutting plate.

It allows the user to cut a large number of vegetables precisely in a shorter period. However, it is more expensive and difficult when it comes to maintenance operations.

This project is to design and fabricate an automated multipurpose vegetable slicing machine.

The purpose of this project is to design a compact, functional, safe, and easy-to-use automatic vegetable machine that can perform various operations.

1.2 Problem statement

Food preparation workers are employed in restaurants, hotels, and places where food is served.

Preparing vegetables and fruits in large quantities is time-consuming even though many people enjoy showing off their knife work. Additionally, consistency is important in the commercial food industry.

Human is not able to cut the vegetables consistently for several hours because our steady hand may begin to fail. Also, more injury problems due to carelessness during vegetable slicing.

1.3 Research questions

1. How can the output of vegetables be an increase within a short period of time?

2. How can the rate of failure of machine parts be reduced?

3. How can the problem of backflow of vegetable leaves along the shaft be solved?

1.4 Objectives of the Study

1. The aim of designing this automated vegetable machine is to improve the time constraint problem to cut a large number of vegetables into smaller sizes and to design and fabricate a simple automated machine that is easy to control.
2. Additionally, to design a machine which will produce less noise and vibration
3. Also, to construct a machine that will shred a minimum of 15 leaves at a time.

1.5. Significance of the Study

The significance or importance of a vegetable shredding machine cuts across many sectors of our economy and it is used industrial and domestically in the following ways:

This vegetable shredding machine can be used in the food industry to facilitate the cutting of vegetables. Also, this machine can be used domestically in our houses to reduce the time consumption of slicing vegetables with hands.