Design and Fabrication of a Three-Hopper Plantain Slicing Machine

Plantain is a semi-perishable crop and large quantity is wasted due to deterioration during the peak of harvest. To ensure food security and to reduce wastage, the adoption of an effective processing into chips for preservation and availability throughout the year is necessary. Modern methods of slicing have greatly improved production rates and reduced slicing time. The main objective of this study was to design and fabricate plantain slicing machine so as to optimize its efficiency at low cost, reduce total time of slicing and produce hygienic and quality chips. The design of the-three hopper slicing machine was achieved through proper focus on the capacity, materials and other design criteria for various component parts. The slicer consists of two cutting discs, cutting chamber, three feeding chutes, the main frame and power transmitting unit. The result of the newly fabricated slicing machine shows that maintenance cost is cheap, slicing time of plantain chips is reduced, operation of the machine does not require special skill, the machine is easy and safe to operate, it is free of noise and vibration, the slicing method is continuous with two slicing blades provided inside the cutting chamber and energy for loading and unloading is reduced since three feeding chutes and large discharged outlet are provided. Slicing of plantain is safe since finger injury is reduced. The efficiency of the-three hopper plantain slicing machine is 97.37 % with capacity of 116.88 g/s. The slicer is therefore recommended for commercial use