Portable coconut de-shelling machine / Jake Jensyn I. Atutubo, [and 4 others].

Undergraduate Thesis (BSME) - Mechanical Engineering. Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges, 2024.

Includes bibliographic references.

This study presents the development of a proposed design for a Portable Coconut De-Shelling Machine aimed at enhancing the efficiency, safety, and practicality of coconut de-shelling operations, particularly for small-scale coconut farmers and processors in the Philippines. Traditional de-shelling practices are often labor-intensive, time-consuming, and pose significant safety risks due to the manual handling of sharp tools. These challenges are especially pronounce in rural communities where access to advanced industrial equipment is limited.

In response to these issues, the researchers designed and fabricated a compact mechanical prototype incorporating rotating blades and a stabilizing fixture. This design ensures secure handling of the coconut while effectively removing the shell without compromising the integrity of the kernel. The machine emphasizes ergonomic safety, mechanical efficiency, and portability, making it suitable for deployment in remote agricultural settings.

The development process followed a systematic engineering design methodology, encompassing problem identification, conceptualization, prototyping, iterative testing, and performance evaluation. Comparative testing between the prototype and conventional manual methods revealed substantial improvements in processing time, output capacity, and operator safety. The findings suggest that the proposed machine offers a viable, cost-effective solution for small-scale coconut processing, contributing to the broader efforts in agricultural mechanization and rural livelihood enchancement.

This study provides valuable insights for future innovations in agricultural equipment design and highlights the potential of localized technological solutions to address specific needs within the coconut industry.