Keywords
Cutting Machine
Allium cepa L
Cost analysis
Post-harvest onion processing optimization
How to Cite
Abstract
The developed Red Onion (Allium cepa L.) Stem Cutting Machine is a trolley-type cutting machine designed and fabricated to reduce production costs, labor, and time required for cutting onion stems. A single person can operate it. The machine weighs 64.8 kg and has overall dimensions of 1050 mm in height, 1010 mm in length, and 525 mm in width. The machine's major components include counter-rotating blades, counter-rotating gears, frame assembly, collecting bin, wheels, and power transmission assembly. Onions are fed into the input chute where the counter-rotating blades are located. The cut onions are collected in the bin below the machine. Three treatments were used to evaluate the study: 440 rpm, 660 rpm, and 990 rpm. The experimental layout followed a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) and was analyzed using the Analysis of Variance test. The mean comparison was carried out using the Least Significant Difference (LSD) method, with a 5\% significance level. The machine's performance was evaluated in terms of machine cutting capacity, efficiency, and energy demand. The results indicate that at 660 rpm, the machine achieved a Capacity of 57.91 kg/h, efficiency of 95.51\%, and Energy demand of 4.3 W-h/kg. Cost analysis revealed that the machine needs to cut a total of 7,513.67 kg of onions to break even, assuming a custom rate of Php 1.30/kg. The payback period is approximately two and a half harvesting seasons. This machine is recommended for local onion farmers to help them streamline their post-harvest onion processing.
References
Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center [AMTEC]. (2000a). Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standard Engineering Materials – Keys and Keyways for Agricultural Machines – Specifications and Applications PAES 304:2000. https://amtec.ceat.uplb.edu.ph/
Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center [AMTEC]. (2000b). Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standard Engineering Materials – Shafts for Agricultural Machines – Specifications and Applications PAES 305:2000. https://amtec.ceat.uplb.edu.ph/
Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center [AMTEC]. (2000c). Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standard Engineering Materials – Spur Gears for Agricultural Machines – Specifications and Applications PAES 306:2000. https://amtec.ceat.uplb.edu.ph/
Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center [AMTEC]. (2000d). Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standard Engineering Materials – V-belts and Pulleys for Agricultural Machines – Specifications and Applications PAES 301:2000. https://amtec.ceat.uplb.edu.ph/
Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center [AMTEC]. (2008). Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standard Agricultural Machinery-Multicrop Washer-Peeler–Methods of Test PAES 233: 2008. https://amtec.uplb.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/paes-233-1.pdf
Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center [AMTEC]. (2010). Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standard Agricultural Machinery – Biomass Shredder – Methods of Test PAES 245:2010. https://amtec.ceat.uplb.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/pns-paes-245-2010.pdf
Arim, J., Kioko, S., Otieno, S., Efukho, C., Mbuthia, G., Mangoli, F., Oirere, Z., Mbuthia, E., Malenge, F., Aikawa, J., Kita, K., Kitajima, H., Takashina, Y., & Seo, T. (2019). Bulb Onion Production. https://www.jica.go.jp/Resource/project/english/kenya/015/materials/c8h0vm0000f7o8cj-att/materials_20.pdf
Automatic Onion Leaf and Stem Cutting Machine | Onion Peeling Machine, Onion Dicing Machine, Onion Slicer. (2017). https://www.onionprocess.com/automatic-onion-leaf-and-stem-cutting-machine/
B. W. Maw, & B. G. Mullinix. (2001). GRADE DISTRIBUTION OF SWEET ONIONS HARVESTED AT DIFFERENT MATURITIES. Applied Engineering in Agriculture, 17(6). https://doi.org/10.13031/2013.6828
Bulsara, N. (2018). Design of Onion Root and Shoot Cutting Machine. https://www.academia.edu/35941654/_Design_of_Onion_Root_and_Shoot_Cutting_Machine_
Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, College of Engineering, Central Luzon State University, Gavino, R., Camaso, V. E., Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, College of Engineering, Central Luzon State University, Tiw-an, C., & Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, College of Engineering, Central Luzon State University. (2020). Assessment of Mechanization Level of Onion Production in Nueva Ecija. CLSU International Journal of Science & Technology, 4(1), 81–98. https://doi.org/10.22137/ijst.2020.v4n1.06
Ibrahim, M. (n.d.). Development of a garlic root and stem cutting machine. Misr J. Ag. Eng. Retrieved February 26, 2024, from https://www.academia.edu/43192387/Development_of_a_garlic_root_and_stem_cutting_machine
Jadhav, R. V., Turbatmath, P. A., & Gharte, L. V. (1995). Design Development and Performance Evaluation of Onion Digger Windrower. Agricultural Mechanization in Asia, Africa and Latin America, 26(3), 35–35. https://eurekamag.com/research/002/590/002590940.php
Kale, V., Kawade, D., Shinde, T., Vhanamane, P., & Pagar, K. (2018). Onion Leaf Cutting Machine. International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET), 5(4), 2901–2904. https://www.irjet.net/archives/V5/i4/IRJET-V5I4641.pdf
Kaohsiung District Agricultural Research and Extension Station, COA/Shye Chorng CO., LTD. (2023). Onion Stem, Leaf and Root Cutting Machine. https://www.intelligentagri.com.tw/en/xmdoc/cont?xsmsid=0K254481351814528197&sid=0K255423765805743370
Kumawat, L., & Raheman, H. (2022). Mechanization in Onion Harvesting and its Performance: A Review and a Conceptual Design of Onion Harvester from Indian Perspective. Journal of The Institution of Engineers (India): Series A, 103(1), 295–304. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40030-021-00611-3
Onion Consumption Per Capita in Philippines. (n.d.). Retrieved February 26, 2024, from https://www.helgilibrary.com/indicators/onion-consumption-per-capita/philippines
Otake Onion Roots and Leaves Cutting Machine TK-3. (n.d.). In Japan Agri Trading. Retrieved February 26, 2024, from https://japan-agritrading.com/products/otake-onion-roots-and-leaves-cutting-machine-tk-3
Persson, S. (1987). Mechanics of cutting plant material. American Society of Agricultural Engineers St. Joseph, Michigan, USA.
Rajendra, M. S., Naraynsing, R. M., Eknath, J. C., Sahebrao, T. S., Mahalu, M. N., Jayram, T. R., Vishal, P., & Ashok, N. S. (2017). Design and Manufacturing of Onion Root and Stem Cutting with Sorting Machine. International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology. https://www.avcoe.org/NAAC/CR-3/3.3.2/1718-Prod-282.pdf
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2023 Journal of Engineering and Emerging Technologies