Development of Pineapple Multi-Processing Machine

Abstract

The pineapple multi-processing machine was constructed, and its performance was evaluated in terms of operating time, machine capacity, machine efficiency, number of desirable slices, and fruit weight composition. The machine comprises three major components: base and support frame, which provides placement and support to the blade assembly; cutting assembly, which cuts the top and bottom portion of the pineapple fruit; and blade assembly, which peels, cores, and slices the pulp into four equal portions. The performance of the machine was evaluated using 10 pieces of pineapple fruits, 10.1-11.4cm in diameter, and weighing 1.07 to 1.50 kg, for three trials. The pineapple multi-processing machine have better performance compared to the manual method in all test parameters such as operating time (0.92 min fruit!!), machine capacity of (66 pcs hr!!), machine efficiency (76.33%), relative efficiency (104.09 %), and percentage fruit weight composition of pulp, core, and peel was 30.89%, 3.95%, and 40.74% respectively. The constructed pineapple multi-processing machine could be efficiently operated with ease, needing only two fluid motions, which entails less handling of fruit, thereby producing uniform and better quality pineapple slices. The machine could be constructed with a minimum cost of Php4, 674. 30.