Improvement of Mangosteen Fruit Sizing Machine

Abstract

This research was to develop a mangosteen fruit sizer. The developed machine was Greefa sizer type: 1,250 mm. wide x 1,350 mm. long x 980 mm. high, and weighed 150 kgs. The machine comprised i) 650 mm. diameter rotating disk, ii) a board padded with cushioning material and placed above the disk rim to measure sizes, iii) 20 kgs. fruit feeder and iv) 3 different size receiving trays. A1/2 Hp, 220 V, 50 Hz electric motor was used as a power drive. A 1:40 gear reducer and pulley were applied for transmission. Testeng procedure included 2 conditions: i) two sie ranges (20 & 30 g.) three rotating disk speeds (7, 14 and 21 rpm.) set in factorial in CRD experimental desigh. Results showed the size range and the speed significantly affected sizing efficiency, throughput and mean contamination ratio at 5% significant level. At spped = 7 rpm and size range = 30 g. the highest sizing efficiency and the lowest mean contamination ratio were 79.9% and 1.94% respectively. At speed = 21 rpm and size range - 30 g., the mazimum throughput was 717.7 kg/hr.