Coconut is said to be the “tree of life” not just because of its every part have

various specific uses but also it can give livelihood and job businesses to people.
Coconuts have been a major and important character crop that plays a big part in
providing a stronghold foundation of economic activities in the Philippines due to
its topographical and geographical aspect. To specify, 3.6 Million hectares of land
are planted with coconut trees in the Philippines [1]. The Philippines is the second
country with the highest volumes of coconut consumption in 2018 which tallies
about 14 tones [2]. With these numbers, coconut is also a huge contributor to the
country’s economy with an estimated export volume of 2 million metric tons in
2019, as the United Coconut Associations of the Philippine (UCAP) shows, in just
the product of copra terms alone and for just the exports, the coconut
sector offers more than USD2B revenue annually, making Philippines the world’s
second largest coconut producer [3].

It is clear the two of the major beneficiary of coconut products are coconut farmers
and small-time enterprises. There are more than 2.5 million smallholder coconut
farmers in the Philippines[ CITATION Phi18 \l 1033 ]. These farmers are responsible for
coconut products. One of the coconut products that is common to Filipinos is
young coconut. It is one of the best refreshments considering Philippines has a
tropical climate. Coconut water is the liquid found inside young coconuts. It is
usually sold by small traders in the streets and by small eateries. Today, it is
marketed as a natural alternative to sports drinks due to its high electrolyte content
and is an attraction to lifestyle endorsements. The PCA categorizes the product of
young coconuts into three. 100% Buko juice is unmodified natural aqueous liquid
from young coconut; Buko juice with tender solid endosperm is a buko juice with
addition of tender solid endosperm from young coconut; And Buko juice drink is
added with not more than 20% potable water, with or without sweetener, and with
or without tender solid endosperm [4].

The idea of producing coconut water is unimaginable for farmers who lack access
to basic refrigeration technology and processing equipment [5]. That’s why, in
order for the Philippines to be globally competitive, the country must exert all
efforts to increase coconut productivity, lower the cost of processing copra,
coconut oil, desiccated coconut, and specifically coconut water products, through
technological developments with the use of diverse machineries and equipment,
technologies, generate primary products such as coconut water [6].

The study aims to provide an automation process to small business coconut

enterprises for them to have a vast production with less time of human
intervention. As the target market links the design of the machine in contrast with
technological developments and machineries, it focuses on a consumer-trader
relationship for a better services and goods development. This will lead to a more
convenient process while giving the best quality of goods for reaching consumers’
satisfaction.

[1] Department of Agriculture Philippine Coconut Authority ,2018. Retrieved from

https://pca.gov.ph/index.php/resources/coconut-statistics

[2] World Coconuts Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights Report
2019 ,Retrieved from
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190919005726/en/World-Coconuts-
Market-Analysis-Forecast-Size-Trends-and-Insights-Report-2019---
ResearchAndMarkets.com
[3] PH Coconut continues to show its versatility as potential Covid-19 anti-agent
tops the list, 2020. Retrieved from https://www.dti.gov.ph/negosyo/exports/emb-
news/ph-coconut-continues-to-show-its-versatility-as-potential-covid-19-anti-
agent-tops-the-list/

[4] Department of Agriculture Philippine Coconut Authority,2018.Retrieved from

https://pca.gov.ph/index.php/resources/coconut-statistics

[5] Coconut farmers in Southeast Asia struggle as palm oil muscles in on

them,2020. Retrieved from https://news.mongabay.com/2020/03/coconut-farmers-
in-southeast-asia-struggle-as-palm-oil-muscles-in-on-them/

[6] Coconut Industry Production Status, Growing Zones, Productivity and Potential

to Increase Nut Supply in Coconut Farms through Practical and Efficient.

Retrieved from http://pca.da.gov.ph/coconutrde/images/gen8.pdf

Statement of the Problem

The main objective of this study is to design a coconut slicing machine integrated

with the theories of fluid mechanics, machine design, and basic electronics which

will be the basis in prototype making and a source for commercial manufacturing.

Specifically, the study will address the following:

1. Identify all disadvantages of manual coconut cutting to agricultural services and

consumers.

2. Indicate data factors that requires integration of automation in aspect of coconut

cutting.

3. Sketch a 3D design of automated coconut cutting machine with the support of

the theories of fluid mechanics, basic electronics, and machine design.

4. Create a prototype with the use of machine shop practices.

5. Evaluate the efficacy of motorized coconut cutting machine and

compare the gathered data from the manual operation.

Significance of the Study

This study will improve traditional coconut cutting process into autonomous

process that creates more efficient cutting design pattern. It will benefit the

researchers, future researchers and dealers involving cut-coconut products (e.g.,

coconut refreshments; copra) as a target market to this design.

 Researchers: This design will help the researchers utilize and develop their

theoretical knowledge learned in mechanical engineering by putting it into

machine shop practices.

 Future Researchers: This study will serve as an added baseline for future

researchers if they happen to make research that is similar in nature. They

may use the results of this study to point out its weaknesses for them to

improve the design or innovate in the nearest future.

 Most immediate impact: The proposed coconut slicing machine provides

increased efficiency compared to traditional method that increases the local

cut-coconut suppliers and vendors’ production and yield and creates a more

profitable business.

 Secondary benefits: The model will involve no or less risks and hazards for

the workers compared to the manual process of coconut slicing. The set-up

of the design also adapts to the consumers’ conservative hygiene

Scope and Limitation

1. SUBJECT DELIMITATION

This study is limited to the planning and designing of a coconut slicing

machine particularly revolving on the fabrication of the motorized cutting

mechanism integrating the traditional process with efficiency and added

operational safety. This project also fosters sustainability which includes a

relatively inexpensive budget and prime materials to increase its potential

and feasibility to the niche market. These materials include hydraulic jack

which the central component of the machine, metal wedge for the slicing

component, and angle bars for building the machine foundation.

2. PLACE DELIMITATION

The study covers only to small-time industries, and businesses, such as stalls

and shops that sell or provide coconut products and services that require the

cracking open of the coconuts in Cebu Province. This will include coconut

refreshments and copra.

3. TIME LIMITATION

The study was conducted starting on February 2021 and is expected to be

finished on the first semester of the next academic school year 2021 - 2022