DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF PNEUMATIC OPERATED COCONUT DEHUSKING MACHINE

The traditional methods used in Nigeria, for dehusking coconuts are labour intensive. To overcome this problem, a pneumatic operated coconut dehusking machine was designed and developed. The machine comprising of frame, pneumatic cylinder, solenoid valve, linkages, husk remover with dehusking unit. This coconut husk remover peels off the coconut husk from coconut fruit based on provision of shaped teeth, which on rotation of the cylinder penetrate into the husk and pulls it away from the coconut with help of hinge joint which is connected with the pneumatic actuator to obtain de-husked coconut fruit. Single person is required for operating the dehusker. Performance test analysis conducted show that the machine average dehusking efficiency and capacity of 96 % and 200 coconuts per hour, whole shell recovery is 88 % while overall throughput capacity of 164 coconuts per hour. The average time required for dehusking a coconut was found to be 18 seconds. The time saved by using this machine was 2.6 times as compared to the manual/spike method. The machine performed satisfactorily and can still be modified for better performance. All the materials used in the fabrication of this machine are of standard specification and locally sourced.