Pili Nut Cracking Machine

Mariane A. Bellosillo1, Ronald Allan A. Ramos2, Ceejei Lanz C. Talamor3,

Jefferson C. Tangcay4, Marlou B. Tubid5
Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering,
Technological University of the Philippines, Manila

[email protected](1)
[email protected](2)
[email protected](3)
[email protected](4)
[email protected](5)

ABSTRACT- Given the growing demand for of the top producers of pili nuts in the
pili nut products, both local and international, Philippines. The growing foreign and
several studies and researches have been domestic demand for pili nut products poses
conducted to find a more advance and faster challenges for the pili-based industry. The
way of extracting pili nut from its shell without pili nut and its by-products have a
damaging the kernel itself. Similarly, this
progressively growing market in the China,
study aims to improve and develop the
efficiency and effectivity of the previous pili Hongkong, Middle East, and United States.
nut cracking machine that have been designed The Philippines also exports pili nut products
few years prior to this research. The design to countries such as Japan, Hawaii, France,
considered the application of force on the Germany, and Great Britain.
longitudinal axis instead of traversed axis of Retrieving a perfect pili kernel
the pili nut. Within this context, different force requires accuracy only expert workers can
analysis had been formulated to show how deliver. This is easily due to the centuries-old
much load is needed to crack the nut shell in tradition of pili-cracking and enough practice
vertical position. to beat any machine. Pagtilad is the process
The machine consists of three (3) major used by the Bicolanos to crack the hard nut
elements: the conveyor, the feeding and
using a bolo, with unbelievably rhythmic,
cracking system. These assembly are timed
through a Geneva and Chain and Sprocket accurate, and graceful whacking. A paratilad
mechanism that is driven by a 3-Hp DC motor. expert could easily cut through the thick,
The operation is designed using Geneva hardwood-esque pili shells, and finish 100
mechanism to drive the conveyor while the kilograms per day. It was observed that pili
cracking system rely on the cam and follower nuts decrease their marketability due to high
mechanism. The cracked pili nut will be degree of damage caused by impact shelling.
transferred to a bin at the end of the conveyor.
The machine can crack pili nuts with a feeding
rate of 50 pili nuts per minute which is about II. METHODOLOGY
47.93% faster compared to manual operation.
A. Project Design
I. INTRODUCTION
A qualitative and developmental research
According to the Bureau of that is focused on improving the existing pili nut
Agriculture Statistics, the Bicol region is one cracking machines will be done. The qualitative
research will involve testing and evaluation of the Table 2.1 Shows all the parts and auxiliaries of
project. The developmental research involves the the Semi-Automated Pili Nut Cracking Machine.
design concepts, ideas and theories employed for
the study. Prototyping will be done after the Table 2.1 Parts and Auxiliaries
design is finalized to prove the effectiveness and
efficiency based on the theories, research and
design obtained.

Fig 2.1 Final Design of Semi- Automated Pili Nut

Cracking Machine

C. Construction and Fabrication

B. Project Assembly
This phase of the said research has the
following involved activities such as rough
estimation of bills in assembling the cracking
machine, purchase of appropriate material needed
in the fabrication of the cracking machine, and
selection of place that is convenient for
fabricating the cracking machine. Many
fabrication companies were consulted by the
group after finalizing the design. Some
recommendations from the fabricator were
incorporated in the machine like the use of mild
steel conveyor bars and chamfered base of the
conveyor bars.

D. Testing and Evaluation

Three trials shall be made using 50 pcs as

Fig 2.2- Exploded view of the whole machine sampling size. Fifty sampling size was selected to
facilitate computation of percentage pili nut that
is whole and percentage that is cracked. Whole
kernel shall mean what is acceptable based on
current practice of the market what is the Table 3.2 Effectiveness of feeding mechanism
appearance that traders of pili nut will buy as with recommended pipe attachment
premium. Refer to attached pictures showing Time
what whole kernel looks like. Any damage kernel Fed Misfed Efficiency Elapsed,
that does not look like what is described as whole s
will be considered as cracked.
Each trial final output means produced 1st Trial 40 10 0.80 38
cracked pili nut (without its covering husk) shall 2 nd
be sorted, classified as whole and cracked shall be 43 7 0.86 35
Trial
performed and weigh on a per trial basis. Each 3rd
trial time shall be recorded, time will start from 43 7 0.86 26
Trial
the moment the uncracked pili nut is put on the
Average 42 8 0.84 33
bin (prior to nut going into crashing) until it
reaches the collection bin located below the
machine. Trials of three will be average to use as Table 3.3. Number of acceptable and reject pili
the final metric to measure production efficiency kernel recovered
comparing to manual method. Calculation of
Acceptable, Reject,
weight of the unhusked pili nut shall be included pcs pcs
to show how many kilograms per 50 pieces (kernel (kernel
sampling size and its corresponding equivalent that Total % whole
that shows Kernel kernel
weight in kilogram. no signs shows
Recovered recovered
of signs of
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION damage) cracking
damage)
Table 3.1 Effectiveness of feeding mechanism 1st trial 26 16 42 0.619
per 50 pcs of pili
2nd trial 28 15 43 0.651
Time
3rd trial 25 16 41 0.61
Fed Misfed Efficiency Elapsed,
s Average 27.33 15.6 42 0.651
st
1 Trial 42 8 0.84 46.63
2nd Table 3.4 Cycle time per kg of 50 pcs
43 7 0.86 45.88
Trial Kilogram of
3rd Initial pili after
41 9 0.82 46.13
Trial weight per feeding and
Cycle
Average 42 8 0.84 46.21 50 pcs of cracking
time (s)
uncracked (including
pili, kg the kernel
Table 3.1 presents the effectiveness of and husk)
feeding mechanism. It shows that 42 out of 50
pieces of pili nut sample are effectively fed in the 1st Trial 0.5 0.428 46.63
machine with a total cycle time of 46.21 seconds.
2nd Trial 0.45 0.387 45.88
The feeding efficiency of the Pili Nut Cracking
Machine can be obtained by the ratio of number 3rd Trial 0.47 0.326 46.13
of fed pili to the number of sample size. The
feeding efficiency for Trials 1, 2, and 3 are 84%, Average 46.21
86% and 82% respectively. The average feeding
efficiency is 84%. Avg.
Weight per 0.473 0.380
50 pcs
 IV. CONCLUSION AND for accommodating us during consultation and
RECOMMENDATION giving us guidance in making this project.
The group would like to acknowledge the staff of
A. Conclusion C-Jun Machine Shop and to Mr. Nonoy and Kuya
Alvin for sharing their expertise on machine
1. The designed and fabricated feeding works and by extending their hand by providing
mechanism can easily transfer the pili nuts from all the necessary adjustments during the
the bin to the conveyor bars provided that the fabrication.
operator adds pili nuts to the bin gradually. To all the Professors for sharing their
2. 42 out of 50 pili nuts were cracked with an valuable insights on how to improve the machine.
average time of 46.21 secs. And to the parents, family, and friends
3. With the recommended pipe attachment, the for unconditional love and support that serve as
feeding time was reduced to an average of 33 their inspiration specially in their studies, and to
seconds with the same efficiency. the financial support to accomplish this Project.
4. The machine showed a 47.93% cycle time
improvement compared to manual cracking REFERENCES
process.
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is provided for the safety of the operator of the nutshell, it’s perfect!” – Trade Winds Bicol
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2. 2.The Great Pili Tree - Miriam Coronel
B. Recommendation Ferrer
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1. Choose alternative materials for the feeding cracker developed - Cet Dematera (PhilStar)
mechanism to make the machine lighter. 6. 5.BU develops modern nut cracker to boost
2. Use less motor power as possible to lessen the Bicol’s pili industry - Danny O. Calleja
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3. Use food grade materials for the conveyor 7. 6.Minimum Wage Rates – Department of
bars. Labor and Employment
4. Consider using pipes/tubes as guides for the 8. 7.CountrySTAT Philippines – Philippine
pili nuts to improve the feeding mechanism. Statistic Authority
9. Main Grid Electricity Rates – National Power
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Corporation
10. http://news.abs-cbn.com/views-and-
The proponents would like to analysis/12/24/09/great-pili-tree-miriam-
acknowledge the individuals who supported coronel-ferrer
them, inspired them, shared their thoughts, ideas 11. http://www.philmech.gov.ph/?page=news&a
and knowledge, expertise and devoted their ction=details&code01=fp10120001
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successful. production-guide/
First and foremost, to the Lord God 13. http://www.philstar.com/agriculture/162282/
Almighty, for providing the strength and dry-method-pili-depulper-faster-pilinut-
guidance for finishing this project. cracker-developed
The group would like to recognize the 14. http://balita.ph/2009/09/01/bu-develops-
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industry/
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