Development of A Turmeric Slicing Machine for Herbal Processing Farmers in Surin Province

Abstract

         The objective of this research was to develop and evaluate the performances of a turmeric slicing machine for herbal processing farmers. The main components of the machine included the machine frame, an adjustable slicing blade set, a feeding tray, and a material output channel. A ¼ horsepower motor was used as the power source, and a belt was used to transmit the power. In this research, we studied 5 levels of the blade clearance; 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 mm. The studied indicators included values of capacity, slicing efficiency, loss percentage, thickness of sliced turmeric, electrical power consumption, and moisture reduction rate.

         The results found that, when testing the turmeric slicing machine with blade clearances of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 millimeters, the average capacities were found to be 10.04, 41.81, 43.62, 49.20, and 54.85 kilograms per hour, respectively. The slicing efficiencies were 84.78%, 81.33%, 66.21%, 65.48%, and 62.01%, respectively, with corresponding loss percentages of 15.22%, 18.67%, 33.79%, 34.52%, and 37.99%. At blade clearances of 1 to 5 millimeters, the average thicknesses of sliced turmeric were 0.94, 1.98, 2.99, 3.97, and 4.97 millimeters, respectively, and the electrical power consumption rate was in the range of 513.73 to 533.82 watts. Moreover, the moisture reduction test of sliced turmeric revealed that weight values for turmeric pieces at blade clearances of 1, 2, and 3 millimeters were lower than those at blade clearances of 4 and 5 millimeters. This developed turmeric slicing machine can be used by farmers to slice turmeric for processing and generate income for farmer groups.