Design and construction of a manually operated cassava peeling machine.

Abstract

The recent transfiguration of cassava from a low profile into an industrial raw material, have resulted in a serious surge in the -demand. for cassava and cassava-based products locally and the world over. Cassava (Manihot esulenta Crantz), is one of the most important energy sources in the human diet. It is an important staple food and cash crop that thrive where most other crops fail commonly grown in tropical countries. Cassava is utilized extensively for human and livestock consumption as well as raw material for both industrial and pharmaceutical products. Cassava is mostly used in processed form thus only a small quantity is consumed directly. Cassava processing is labor-intensive thus requires mechanization in order to meet the rising demand -tar cassava products. One major bottleneck in Cassava processing has been cassava hence the objective or this study to develop a simpler and affordable cassava peeling machine to quicken the process. The study goes through the step by step procedures which led to the achievement of the intended main .and specific objectives. The designed cassava peeling machine comprised of inner and outer drums, the_ frame and a cranking handle for operational mechanism, this machine was designed, fabricated and tested to examine its performance. The peeling machine is essential in production of a number of products such as; cassava flour, cassava chips and pellets but basically in cassava starch based production. It may also be used for peeling other root tubers like yams. The results of this study were. discussed and it was found that the machine works moderately effective compared to existing manual peeling. Finally, conclusions and recommendations were drawn from the discussed results got. This work is intended to help solve some of the problems hindering a successful design and fabrication of a cassava peeling machine. It is believed that the machine has a positive impact on food quality and security as well as on economic empowerment of the rural cassava processors in Uganda where cassava starch-based products are becoming increasingly important.