The power operated jackfruit peeler was designed based on some considering. The main considerations were that the peeler should capable to peel green jackfruit and usable for other vegetables, operated with electric power, faster than manual peeling and manufactured with locally available raw materials. The drawing of the designed peeler was created with AutoCAD software. Then the power operated fruit peeler was fabricated in the workshop of FMP Engineering Division of BARI Gazipur during 2017-18. The fabrication of the peeler was done in the workshop with locally available materials.
The machine had main frame, fruit holder, peeling blade and safety cover. The function of fruit holder is to hold the fruit. The fruit holder was rotating with the motor power when the cutting process was carried out. The peeling blade was used for peeling the skin of the fruit. The switch function is to control the process and the safety cover was used for protect the user while the machine operates.
Power transmission:
The jackfruit peeler was operated with 0.37 kW AC single phase electric motor. Speed of the motor rotation was 1400 rpm. Finally, the speed of the fruit base was 60 rpm.
Modification:
The peeler was modified for improving the peeling performance during 2018-19 as described. The base cover was shortened to go down the cutter blade up to the end. This modification helped to peel the fruit completely. The fruit holder was modified with hook to hold the fruit tightly. Main modification was done in the blade holder and the blade design. The blade holder was straight before which was modified with curved holder. The blade was modified to change the peeling thickness based on fruit size. The peeler was modified during 2019-20 to further improve the peeling performance of the latest model made by Stainless Steel (SS). The base cover was adjusted in SS model. Blade holder was modified with option of placing blade in blade holder with curved shape to place the blade properly. Blade was welded with argon welding using high carbon material. A switch panel board was incorporated in SS model. Starting and stopping blade operation and fruit rotation was manual in earlier version which was modified with provision of auto stopping in blade operation and fruit rotation. Four small wheel were incorporated for easy transportation.
Experimental Set up and Procedure:
The peeler made of stainless steel was tested with green jackfruit and the sweet guard during 2019-20. Medium sized (length 250-300mm and diameter 200-250mm) green jackfruits were collected and peeled with the peeler with three replication. The peeling thickness were measured with slide calipers. Time required for peeling each jackfruit was recorded. Capacity of the peeler was determined by the number of fruit peeled per hour. Manual peeling was done with traditional bati (traditional kitchen knife) and time required for each fruit was recorded. Similar procedure was replicated for sweet guard peeling.
Economic analysis
Operation cost estimation of jackfruit peeler
Economic analysis of green jackfruit peeler was done. Cost analysis included the operating cost of the machine. Operating cost of the machine included the fixed cost and variable cost. Fixed of the machine included capital consumption and shelter. Variable costs included labour, electricity. One labour was required for operating the machine.
Fixed cost:
Fixed cost of the machine included annual depreciation, interest on investment, and shelter. Capital consumption included depreciation and interest.
V). Capital consumption (CC)
CC = (P-S) CRF+S x i (2)
Where,
P=Purchase price, Tk
S=Salvage value, Tk
CRF= Capital recovery factor
vi) Shelter, T=3.0% of purchase price of the machine, Tk
Total fixed cost per year
FC = CC + T (2)
Variable Cost
In calculation of variable cost, the following relations were assumed
iv) Labour cost per hour, Lb=Tk man h-1
v) Electricity cost per hour, E=Tk h-1
Total variable cost (3)
VC = Lb +E
AC = FC+VC
Annual cost/operating cost