DEVELOPMENT OF A PROTOTYPE CASHEW KERNEL SHELLING MACHINE
Abstract
The physical and mechanical characteristics of the roasted cashew nut during fracture was investigated by subjecting the nut to varying impact load tests at different orientations to determine the critical impact load that breaks the shell without damaging the kernel. The cracking experimentation reveals that 3kg load was sufficient for shelling the cashew nut. This projection velocity is the critical factor in sizing and design of the optimum configurations of the shelling blade. The mechanical properties of roasted cashew nut were first determined to know their fracture points. Each component of the shelling machine was design based on estimated specifications. The main components includes; hopper, chain, blade, spacer, spring, bearing, shaft, frame bolt and nut. The length, breath and height are 700mm, 300mm and 530mm respectively. The assembly machine throughput capacity was 900 cashew kernels per hour. The shelling efficiency is 70 per cent whose kernel recovery can be improved by improving the pre-treatment on the nuts. The developed machine is affordable to peasant farmers and requires little or no training for operation and maintenance. The machine cost #300,000.00 whose production on commercial scale will lead to reduction in price.
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