Modification of a Plantain Slicing Machine

Abstract

Plantains are wasted due to deterioration when dumped in villages and towns during the peak of harvest. Therefore, it is necessary that plantains are processed into chips for preservation and availability throughout the year. Modern methods of slicing have greatly improved production rate and reduces slicing time. The main objective of this study was to modify an existing plantain slicing machine so as to optimize its efficiency at low cost, reduce total time of slicing and produce hygienic and quality chips. The improvement on the design of the existing slicing machine was achieved through proper focus on the capacity, materials and other design criteria for various component parts. The slicer consists of cutting disc, cutting chamber, feeding chute, the main frame and power transmitting unit. The result of the improvement on the design of this slicing machine showed that maintenance cost is cheap, slicing time of plantain chips was reduced, operation of the machine does not require special skill, the machine is easy and safe to operate, it is free of noise and vibration,the slicing method is continuous with two slicing blades provided inside the cutting chamber and energy for loading and unloading is reduced since feeding chute and collecting bucket are provided. Slicing of plantain is safe since finger injury is reduced. The efficiency of the modified plantain slicing machine is 95.79 % with capacity of 50.49 g/s. The slicer is therefore recommended for commercial use.

Keywords: plantain,slicing machine, redesign, modification of the existing design