ABSTRACT

In this project, a design of coconut grating machine was developed, to solve the problem of time and energy waste. The components of the machine such as the frame, blade, hopper, pulleys, roller bearings, belt and electric motor were assembled together in one unit. To evaluate the performance of the machine, a variety of masses like 0.35kg, 0.70kg, 1.05kg, 1.40kg, 1.75kg, 2.10kg, 2.45kg, 2.80kg, 3.15kg, and 3.50kg were obtained by measurement on an electric balance. The grating time for each mass of de-shelled coconut were obtained. The results obtained were used to calculate the overall grating efficiency which was 84% and the overall grating capacity of 332.7kg/h. This means that the machine has the capacity of gating 332.7kg of de-shelled coconut per hour, with an efficiency of 84 percent. The machine grating time was compared with the hand grating time and the machine grater was seen 50 times faster than the hand grater. It implies that, the coconut grating machine is an efficient asset for commercial coconut grating which is capable of increasing production, business opportunity and profit.