Table of Contents

Certificate
Decleration
Acknowledgement
Abstract 3
1 Introduction 5
1.1 Significance and motivation of the research 6
1.2 Existing automated vegetable cutters and
Its demerits 8
1.3 Objectives 10
2 Literature review 10
3 Parts of machine 12
I. Motor 12
II. Pulley 13
III. Bearing 14
IV. Gear 15
V. Cutting tool 16
VI. Mild steel 16
4 System model and design calculation 18

1
5 Working of Project 19
6 Advantages 21
7 Disadvantages 22
8 Experimental test 22
9 Result and analysis 23
10 Conclusion 24
References 25

2
Abstract:
Automation was the rage of the engineering world.
The investigation on the existing vegetable cutting
machine reviews the following drawbacks such as
high investment cost, the contamination, additional
manpower and time consumption caused by
manual processing.
The setup involves a hopper arrangement and the
pressure block is actuated by a pneumatic cylinder,
and has a reciprocatory motion along the vertical
length of casing, while the cutting grid remains
fixed. The air supply to the cylinder is controlled by
a solenoid actuated DCV, which is controlled by a
microcontroller. The entry of vegetable into the grid
apparatus is controlled using a pneumatic cylinder
along with a single bar mechanism.
The vegetables are feeded via inclined tube. A tray
is placed at the bottom of the apparatus to collect
3
the vegetable pieces after processing. Variable
pressure setting for cutting different vegetables is
carried out by the microcontroller. The intricacy
involved with such a system is the type of
vegetables it can process. The system is
advantageous in the fact that existing automation is
high in cost, and the power consumption is high.
The proposed work is benefitted by pneumatic
power, which is abundant.
This research has developed four innovative
mechanical peeling methods on the basis of the
mechanical properties of tough-skinned vegetables.
For the first time, an Abrasive-cutter brush has been
introduced as the best peeling method of tough-
skinned vegetables.
This device simultaneously applies abrasive and
cutting forces to remove the peel. The same peeling
efficiency at concave and convex areas in addition
to high productivity are the main advantages of the
developed method. The developed peeling

4
methodis environmentally friendly, as it minimises
water consumption and peeling wastes.

1Introduction
In the late 90’s, automation was the rage of the
engineering world. The best of the minds, rallied
day and night to bring forth improvements of
significant magnitude, something which could make
an impact in the day-to-day life. Today, its’ an
plethora of fields which have embraced with
automation, from manufacturing to food
processing, biomedical and pharmaceutical
industries. In such a scenario, domestic applications
have also been developed with the common man in
mind.
Of late, processes which were manual before are
slowly being converted to semi-automated and
automated nature. Manual cutting of vegetables is

5
still prevalent, in hostels of educational institutions,
marriage catering services and even in restaurants,
which can cater to a whole set of varying customer
tastes and preferences.
The amount of vegetables to be cut for the dishes
always remains higher than actually what’s
consumed. The associated difficulties like
timeconstraint, contamination, etc. make it pretty
difficult for any person handling the job. Therein,
arose a need to automate the process of vegetable
cutting, and here we are with a proposal which can
aid in easing the load off the people associated with
it.

1.1 Significanceand motivation of the

research
The food and beverage sector was the largest sector
of Australia’s manufacturing industry in 2002-03,
providing about 20% of total sales and services
income. The total income from sales and services
for the Australian food processing industry was

6
estimated at $65.9 billion in the same year. The
industry value added by the food processing
industry was recorded as $16.6 billion in 2002-03
(Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry,
NSW).

Peeling is an important preliminary stage of fruit

and vegetable processing. The quality and the final
price of the processed product is highly dependant
on this stage. Manual peeling is possible for any
kind of product but high losses and considerable
consumption of time and labour have encouraged
the peeling industry to use other methods.

Mechanical, thermal, and chemical peelings are

conventional methods (Luh, and Woodroof., 1988),
each of which has its own benefits and limitations.
Those methods apply mechanical tools, heat or
cold, and lye respectively to peel off the fruit and
vegetable skins. As none of the current methods
can satisfy all requirements of producers and
consumers, other kinds of peeling methods such as
7
enzymatic peeling have been developed. Changing
the peeling technique has changed the kind of
merits and demerits but the problem is still
unsolved.

1.2 Existing automated vegetable cutter

and its demerits
The automatic vegetable cutter is a Chinese
manufactured one, currently available in the
market. The cutter operates on the concept of
‘rotating grid’, wherein, the cutting grid is rotating
inside a casing, powered by an ac motor. The
vegetables are fed via the hopper arrangement, at
the top. The cutting grid rotates at a high speed
which cuts the vegetables as they pass through
them.
The cutting grids are varied according to the need of
the customer. The shapes of the cut vegetable vary
with the change in cutting grids.The above
8
mentioned cutter has some demerits with regards
to its operation. First of all, the vegetable feeding is
not automatic, and a person has to devote his time
to feed the vegetable one by one, till the required
quantity is cut. Then, the grids are powered by a
motor, which has high power consumption.
Considering the fluctuating power supply that, the
process has to be electrically powered continuously
for operation, is a disadvantage in itself.
Most important of all, is the initial investment on
the cutter. The cutter is approximately priced at a
range of $ 3500, inclusive of shipping cost and
taxes. It is a high investment, for those who run a
mid-level catering business. Therefore, considering
all these demerits, the idea for a pneumatics
powered cutter is conceived.
Some of the key problems, which were identified
for the initiation of this work, are high cost of the
existing automated system, Power fluctuations,
additional labour, time consumption in manual

9
cutting and chances of contamination in manual
cutting.

1.3Objectives
The primary objectives, upon which, the present
work is based are providing an alternative to the
existing automated system mainly, targeting the
initial investment factor, and to power a domestic
product using pneumatics, thereby eliminating the
associated difficulties of manual vegetable cutting.

2 Literature review
This work has been inspired by several patents filed
on the same patent, in that regard belonging to
Romeo et al (pub no: US2009/0193953 A1), has
portrayed a basic setup, which has been the base
upon which we have built upon. The patent helped
in bringing about the idea of using a cutting grid for
cutting the vegetable. The second patent, (intl
patent no: W0 2008/011671 A1), once again by
Romeo et al, has provided more clarity on the
10
actuation mechanism used for a simple cutter with
a box frame, along with a stack structure at the
bottom. The patent belonging to Javier Hidalgo
Garcia, AitorAguirrezabalagaZubizarreta, and
AitorGogorzaSegurota (patent no: 20120125172),
has laid emphasis on various cutting grids for the
cutting operation. This patent has served as the
reference for our grid design. The cylinder
specifications are taken from the product manual of
Janatics pneumatic Ltd.
The force calculations for the double acting
cylinder, is given by the equation 2.1, adopted from
Fluid power with applications (6th edition) by
Antonio Esposito. Stainless steel material properties
were referred for the material selection from
Strength of Materials (Mechanics of Solids) by
Er.R.K.Rajput, and the micro-controller
specifications were taken from The 8051 Micro
controller and Embedded Systems (2nd edition) by
Muhammad Ali Mazidi.

3. PartsofMachine
11
I. Motor

We used an AC Motor of
1/2 HP which runs at 960 rpm and without a
clutch.As we had to reduce the speed of the motor
we took a motor of 960 rpm which was the motor
with least rpm available in the market. We the
motor without clutch so that we can change the
direction and can have the rotary motion in both
the directions. i.e. Clockwise and Anti Clockwise
direction.
To have forward and reverse movement of the
screw rod we are using a limit switch so that the
cutting tool can be moved to the required position
is reached. By using the limit switch we can change
the direction of rotation of the motor and can have
the tool movement in forwarding and backward
directions.

12
The motor shaft we got was 20mm diameter. We
had to mount pulley over the shaft. So we
performed turning operations on the shaft as per
the design. We performed turning operation for the
60mm length of the shaft from its end point. We
reduced the diameter from 20mm to 17mm
diameter for 60mm length. Then we reduce
diameter from 17mm to 16mm diameter for a
length of 38mm. The motor is positioned at the top
of the machine and pulley is mounted on the shaft
of the motor. A keyway of 6*3 mm dimension is
made on the edge of the shaft for a length of 38mm
and diameter 16mm.
II. Pulley

We used 2 A type pulleys,

which are 16 inches and 2 inches. We had 900 rpm
at the motor. For peeling of fruits, we need to

13
reduce rpm. The 2" pulley which was rotating at 900
hundred rpm was reduced to 112 rpm using a 16"
pulley. A51 belt is used to drive the pulleys. ID of
the 16" pulley is 50 and is mounted on the shaft and
ID of the 2" pulley is 16 and is mounted on the
motor shaft.

III. Bearings

In this project, we used 4 ball

and roller bearings and 2 ball bearings. The purpose
of using bearings is to reduce rotational friction and
support radial and axial loads. It achieves this by
using at least two races to contain the balls and
14
transmit the loads through the balls. The bearing
UCF212 and UCF207 support the shaft and allow it
to rotate freely. Two bearings UCFL204 support the
screw rod and allows it to rotate.
IV. Gears
In our project, we used spur gears. We used two
gears in our project. We used this gears to rotate
the screw rod so as to have linear movement in the
cutting tool and also to reduce the speed of travel
of the cutting tool on the screw rod. From 112 rpm
on the larger pulley by mounting a gear of diameter
224mm on the shaft and is meshed with a gear of
diameter 58mm mounted on the screw rod it is
reduced to 29rpm. The inner diameter of the bigger
gear is 58mm and smaller gear is 25mm.
V. Cutting tool
We have used stainless steel for the cutting tool.
The tool is mounted on a block which is thereby
connected to the screw rod. The cutting tool and be
adjusted according to the dimensions of the fruit.

15
VI. Mildsteel
Mild steel is a material which is universally used,
especially in developing countries. Mild steel refers
to low carbon steel; typically the American Iron and
Steel Institute (AISI) grades 1005 through 1025,
which are usually used for structural applications
(Wagner, 2003). The numerous successful uses of
mild steel in critical components in all sectors of
industry highlight its versatility and suggest many
additional applications; hence the need to
investigate its behaviour in various environments
becomes imperative. This research investigated the
effect of the environment (Air conditioned room,
open air, and inside environments) on the
mechanical properties of mild steel. Mild steel has
become one of the most used materials in the field
of engineering all over the world. It is used widely in
the construction of roads, railways and in other
infrastructures, appliances, and buildings. Most
large modern structures such as stadia and
skyscrapers, bridges and airports are supported by a

16
steel skeleton. Despite growth in usage of
aluminium, mild steel is still the main material for
car bodies, steel is used in other variety of other
construction materials such as bolts, nails, and
screws, other common applications include
shipbuilding, pipeline transport, mining, offshore
construction, aerospace, washing machine, also
new equipment such as bulldozers, office furniture,
steel wood tools and armour in the form of
personal vests or vehicle amour (better known as
rolled homogenous armour in this role). However,
the rate at which structures are collapsing as a
result of failure is a course for concern by all the
stakeholders in the use of steel products.
4.System model and Design Calculation
The double acting cylinders are used to perform the
critical roles of regulating vegetable entry and
performing the cutting. The requirements of the
two processes are different, and so are the
specifications of the cylinders. For the cutting
process, the following calculations were made.
17
Since the force required for cutting process can’t be
determined practically, a simple theoretical, force
calculation was done and the cylinder was selected
using working pressure as the major consideration.
During trial and error experimentation, the
minimum pressure required for the cutting process
was found to be 5 bar. The vegetable used for the
calculation, was a potato.
The assumed constants:
• Working pressure P = 5 bar = 5×105 N/m2.
• Cylinder diameter d1 = 100 mm = 0.1 m.
• Piston rod diameter d2 = 20 mm = 0.02 m. Therefore,
the force generated by the double acting cylinder,
F = P×A, (2.1) = P× π (d1 2 – d2 2) / 4
= 5×105 ×π (0.12 – 0.022) / 4 = 3769 N.

5. Working of the project

This work consists of two major parts; one is the
mechanical setup involving the hopper block,
hopper tube, square cutting case and grid along

18
with the supporting frame, while the other part is
the electrical circuit involving AC – DC converter,
relays, micro controller, LCD display, and keypad.
The two parts, work with synergy, to perform the
vegetable cutting process automatically. The
actuation of the pressure plate is linked to a
pneumatic cylinder piston reciprocatory motion.
The entry of the vegetables insidethe cutting casing
is regulated using another pneumatic cylinder.
The vegetables are placed above the cutting grid.
The cutting grid consists of stainless steel blades,
which are placed in a mesh. The pneumatic cylinder
delivers a piston stroke for a set pressure,
controlled by the micro-controller. The solenoid
DCV varies the supply for extraction and retraction
of the pneumatic cylinder. The pressure plate is
used to force the vegetables through the cutting
grid. There are regular, square shaped spaces
between the cutting blades.
The vegetables are forced between the spaces,
thereby getting cut for the same shape. The whole
19
process, is automated by, regulation of the amount
of vegetables cut, timing of the extension, aided by
the microcontroller. The number of vegetables
entering the apparatus is regulated by a pneumatic
cylinder, with a single bar mechanism attached to
the piston rod end. The bar mechanism, has an
angled plate, which acts like a cup holding the
vegetable at the hopper tube.
When vegetable is released from the angled plate, it
reaches the cutting casing, and the piston stroke
performs the cutting operation. The mechanical
setup and the electrical setup are shown in figure 3
and figure 4. Both the mechanical setup and the
electrical setup, combine to work with synergy to
exhibit the automated working of the cutter. The
mechanical setup consists of a hopper case, a
hopper tube, a 45˚ angled plate, a square cutting
case, and a square cutting grid. While, the electrical
setup consists of an AC-DC converter, two relay
circuits, a micro controller circuit and a keypad.

6. ADVANTAGES
20
1. Made of superior stainless steel, attractive
appearance, safety, and sanitation.
2. Totally automatically operated.
3. High peeling rate, peel thickness is adjustable,
low flesh loss.
4. Short the production cycle, reduce labour, greatly
improve the labour productivity.
5. Stable and reliable performance, high quality,
easy to operate and clean.

7. DISADVANTAGES
1. Fruits like jackfruit are difficult to peel.
2. Fruits whose diameter less than 50mm can't be
peeled.
3. Fruits whose skin thickness is less than 1mm can't
be peeled.
4. Fruits whose shape is oval can only be peeled.

8. Experimental Testing
1. Fruits
21
 Fruits such as pineapple watermelon were
purchased from the local market These fruits are
peeled. The performance of the peeler (in this
context is peeling blade) was evaluated.
2. Size of Samples
The size of each sample was determined in terms of
height (cm) and diameter (cm)

DETERMINATION OF FRUIT PEELING

The fruits selected were peeled using the apparatus
to determine the peeling time of each sample.
Manual peeling has also been performed using a
knife in order to compare the peeling time between
the two methods. All reported values of peeling
time indices were means of three determinations.
The fruits machine was tested for the peeling
processes.

9. Result and analysis

This is machine also automatically peel the
fruits/vegetables that are round (spherical) or oval

22
shapes. The results of the test carried out to
determine the peeling time of the apparatus are
shown in the test carried out using this apparatus
indicated up to 94% (reduction in peeling time of
the selected samples when compared to manual
peeling. This is useful to enhance the performance
of fruits and vegetables processing operation.
However, the peeling time is depending on the size
and the texture of the skin. Smaller fruits can be
peeled faster than the larger ones. For instance,
peeling of potato was faster than orange because of
the smaller size.

10. CONCLUSION
An apparatus peeling fruits was designed and
fabricated. The unit was tested and found capable
of peeling fruits of small and medium size, i.e.,
apple, orange, cucumber, papaya and Potato
Peeling using this apparatus was found to
23
satisfactorily peel the selected fruits, however, and
improvements are still required in several aspects of
the machine such as adding a sensor for cutting
process. Further modifications and improvements
would definitely open a new potential of this
apparatus to be commercialized as a versatile grater
and peeler that helps improves the fruit processing
operation. This newly designed apparatus is also
suitable for domestic use and food dispensing
business such as hotels, due to its small-sized and
lightweight.

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28
THE VEGETABLE HOLDER

29
THE PEELER HEAD

30