Design and Analysis of Fruit Sorting

Mechanism

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of degree of

BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY
IN
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Submitted by:

Harsh Kothari 14BME042

Nandish Badani 14BME061

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

INSTISUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
NIRMA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 CERTIFICATE

TO WHOMSOEVER IT MAY CONCERN

This is to certify that, Mr. Harsh Kothari and Mr. Nandish Badani students of Mechanical
engineering,5th Semester of Nirma University of Science and Technology, Institute of
Technology, has satisfactorily completed the project report titled Selection and Analysis of
Fruit Sorting Mechanism.

Date: 24th November, 16

Guide (s): Head of the Department

Prof. Dhaval Patel Dr. R.N Patel

 ACKNOWLEGMENT

I would like to show my gratitude to my guide Prof. Dhaval Patel for his advice, guidance and
immense support. Without his constant guidance and support this seminar would not have
been successful. I would like to further thank Nirma Universitys authority for providing us
with good environment and providing us with facilities for completing this seminar. It gave
me a chance to explore on the topic of my interest. Finally, an honourable mention goes to my
friends for their kind support and understanding.

Harsh Kothari

Nandish Badani

Date: 24th November 2016

Place: Nirma University, Ahmedabad

i

 ABSTRACT

This mini-project is a keen approach for a real time investigation and choice of objects in
continuous stream. Designing of an automated fruit sorting machine and making it industry
ready.The framework needs to fulfill industry requirements. The sorting systems utilized must
be basic yet more than compelling, in order to meet the desired serviceability and
productivity. This is a mechanical automisation based application.We can likewise call it as
insightful transport line, as it has additional capacity to wash, wax and after that sort the fruit
of various sizes, shapes and quality. This helps to avoid size malfunctioning in production
machines. By growing such sorting framework the production rate of the manufacturing
industry will increase since these sorting systems replace the human resources. Likewise the
mishaps in manufacturing industry can be averted in light of the fact that the operators in
manufacturing floor had been reduced.

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 TABLE OF CONTENT

Sr.No. Title Page No.

Introduction to Sorting Mechanisms 1
1

1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 What is Sorting ? 1
1.3 Types of Sorting 1
1.4 Material Handling 2

Principles based on which the

1.4.1 material handling equipment is 2
selected
Size Sorting
2 3

2.1 Sorting by height 3

2.1.1 The Working Principle 3
2.1.2 Assembly Requirements 3
2.2 Sorting By Radius 4
2.2.1 The Working Principle 4
2.2.2 Assembly Requirements 4
2.3 Sorting By Size 5
2.3.1 The Working Principle 5
2.3.2 Assembly Requirements 5
2.4 Sorting By Radius 6
2.4.1 The Working Principle 6
2.4.2 Assembly Requirements 6
Weight Sorting
3 7

3.1 Single Piece Multiple Sorting 7

3.1.1 The Working Principle 7
3.1.2 Assembly Requirements 7
3.2 Continous Multiple Weight Sorter I 8
3.2.1 The Working Principle 8

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 3.2.2 Assembly Requirements 8
3.3 Continous Multiple Weight Sorter II 9
3.3.1 The Working Principle 9
3.3.2 Assembly Requirements 9
3.4 Continous Weight Sorting with Conveying 10
3.4.1 The Working Principle 10
3.4.2 Assembly Requirements 10
Quality Sorting
4 11

4.1 The Working Principle 11

4.2 Assembly Requirements 11
Conclusion
5 12

5.1 Comparative Study 12

6 Refrences 14

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 LIST OF FIGURES

Fig No. Description Pg.No

Sorting by height
2.1 3
Sorting By Radius
2.2 4
Sorting By Size
2.3 5
Sorting By Radius
2.4 6
Single Piece Multiple Sorting
3.1 7
Continous Multiple Weight Sorter I
3.2 8
Continous Multiple Weight Sorter II
3.3 9
Continous Weight Sorting with Conveying
3.4 10
Quality Sorting
4.1 11
Sorting by height
5.1 12
Continous Multiple Weight Sorter II
5.2 13

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 Chapter 1
Introduction to Sorting Mechanisms

1.1 Introduction

Sorting is critical in any industry such as a manufacturing industry to enhance the productivity of
assembling procedures. The principle assignment performed here is to sort the fruits. The aim of this
project is to reduce the time for inspection and to save the efforts of the workers in manhandling the
fruits. Sorting system is one of the useful systems in Industries Sorting framework is one of the
helpful frameworks in Industries. It can be utilized to separate items based on the color and shape of
the item itself. This framework is actualized to enhance the procedure of the manufacturing.
Traditionally, the operator did the sorting procedure physically. Be that as it may, this method has a
few disadvantages, for example, increment in the cost of the product, slow, and inaccurate because of
the human errors.

A programmed sorting machine has primary task of sorting objects as per the sizes, shapes, weight,
and so on. This likewise comprises of conveying mechanisms, which decreases the task of material
handling. Additionally both procedures happen at the same time that is material handling and
inspection.

A sorting machine is more useful and prudent method for automation, which transports material from
one point then onto the next. The design is very basic and of adaptable utilization.

1.2 What is Sorting ?

Sorting is any process of arraying items methodically, and has two common, yet distinct
meanings: ordering: arranging items in a sequence ordered by some criterion; categorizing:
grouping items with similar properties. Here we are categorizing fruits on different physical
properties.

1.3 Types of Sorting

Sorting can be carried out on the basis of following factors:
1 Size 3 Weight
2 Shape 4 Colour

1

1.4 Material Handling

Material handling includes a number of operations that can be executed either by hand
(manual) or by mechanical means or devices to convey material and to reduce the human
labor.

1.4.1 Principles based on which the material handling equipment is selected:

Based on the characteristics of the products being sorted.

Working and climatic conditions.
The capacity of the processing unit.
In a conveying system possibility of use of gravity.
The capacity of handling / conveying equipment should match with the capacity of
processing unit or units.
Spillage of products should be avoided.
Pollution of the environment due to noise or dust by the system should also be avoided.

2

 Chapter 2

Size Sorting

2.1 Sorting by height:

Figure 2.1

2.1.1 The Working Principle:

Workpiece a is placed on and turns with multiple-armed member 1. Stationary jaws c,

b and d are set above member 1 at increasing heights. As member 1 rotates, oversize
workpieces a are swept off by jaw d, workpieces of proper height by jaw b and
undersize workpieces by jaw c. They drop into the corresponding hoppers.

2.1.2 Assembly Requirements:

1) A Motor 2) A flanked platform 3)Height test flanks (as many as required) 4) Proximity
Sensor 5) Conveyor Belt

3

2.2 Sorting by fruit radius

Figure 2.2
2.2.1 The Working Principle:
This mechanism is intended for sorting nearly spherical fruits according to their sizes. The
fruit 2 would roll by gravity between diverging blades 1 which are inclined to the
horizontal. Depending upon their size, the frits drop through the gap into one of the hoopers
3.

2.2.2 Assembly Requirements:

1) 2 inclined plates at an angle 2) 3 chute openings 3) Conveyor Belt

4

2.3 Sorting by size:

Figure 2.3

2.3.1 The Working Principle:

Fruits a being inspected are moved along circular surface b of the base by continuosly
revolving wheel 1. If fruit a is oversize it will deflect lver 2 when it passes under the
sharp measuring edge of the lever. Lever 2 turns about fixed axis A and, when deflected,
its latch c releases cover 3 of hatch d. Thus oversize fruits drop through hatch d. If a
fruit is undersize, it passes freely under lever 2 and drops through the next hatch e which is
too small for fruits of the proper size. Fruits of the proper size pass hatches d and e and
drop through hatch f. In this way, the fruits are sorted into three size groups.

2.3.2 Assembly Requirements:

1) A Motor 2) A slotted wheel 3) A spring loaded lever 4) 3 hatch openings 5) A spring
loaded hinged latch 6) Conveyor Belt

5

2.4 Sorting by radius:

Figure 2.4

2.4.1 The Working Principle:

Pushers a are rigidly secured to link 1 which has a vertical reciprocating motion. In the
upward stroke of link 1 pushers a raise fruits 2 which roll down by gravity along inclined
surfaces b. The gaps at the bottom of the inclined surfaces gradually increase so that the
workpieces drop through according to their size and are thereby sorted.

2.4.2 Assembly Requirements:

1) Reciprocating rod 2) Motor 3) Slider-crank mechanism

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 Chapter 3

Weight Sorting

3.1 Single Piece Multiple Sorting:

Figure 3.1

3.1.1 The Working Principle:

Armature 2 of solenoid 1 is connected by turning pair c to link 3. Link 4 with rigidly

attached chute d turns about fixed axis A and is connected by turning pair B to link 3.
Solenoid 1 has four coils(as many as the number of groups into which the fruits are to be
sorted) with different number of turns. Depending upon the actual size of a fruit, the
corresponding coil is energised by a current pulse from the electric-contact measuring facility.
For this purpose a system of load cell can be employed. The fruit first gets weighed, and
accordingly a signal is sent to control the current. This pulls in the armature with the chute of
the corresponding receiving member. Fruit a rolls down the chute 5, 6, 7 or 8 to the
required sorting box.

3.1.2 Assembly Requirements:

1) A solenoid 2) Programmed Load Cell

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3.2 Continous Multiple Weight Sorter I:

Figure 3.2

3.2.1 The Working Principle:

Fruit a to be inspected is dropped into the verticle channel b and is held up by slide block
1. In this position, an inspection operation is performed by some measuring facility. If the
fruit is to be rejected, the measuring facility switches on a mechanism moving slide block 1
to the left. The slide block turns away spring-loaded shutter 2 and rejected fruit a is ejected
to the side. If the fruit is within size, the measuring facility energizes electromagnet 3, which
pulls slide block 1 to the right, releasing workpiece a so that it drops onto the next slide
block. This is the next station where other dimensions of the fruit are inspected.

3.2.2 Assembly Requirements:

1) Spring loaded shutter 2) Reciprocating platform 3) Electromagnetic Arrangement 4)
Programmed Load Cell

8

3.3 Continous Multiple Weight Sorter II:

Figure 3.3

3.3.1 The Working Principle:

The workpiece is dropped intp vertical channel a, along which shutters 1 are arranged.
Springs 2 tend toretract the shutters and direct the fruits into the side channels, but
electromagnets 3 hold armatures 4 so that shutters 1 are in the vertical position and the
fruit can drop through. When a fruit belonging to one of the size groups passes through, the
corresponding electromagnet is de-energised so that the armture is released. At this the
corresponding shutter closes the vertical channel and the fruit is directed to a side channel. At
the end of the cycle, tie-rod 5, reciprocating vertically, returns the shutter to its initial
position by means of pin b.

3.3.2 Assembly Requirements:

1) Electromagnet 2) Spring Loaded Lever 3) Load Cell 4) Multiple Chute

9

3.4 Continous Weight Sorting with Conveying:

Figure 3.4

3.4.1 The Working Principle:

A single motor driven conveyor system is the major segment of this system. The fruits to be
sorted will be conveyed by this conveyor for further proceedings. A load cell assembly is
placed at the flinch of the conveyor system. Weight of each and every fruit to be sorted will
be calculated here and then moved on to the conveyor. Pushing arms are installed at certain
distances on the conveyor to divert the fruit from the conveyor according to the fruits weight.
Baskets are used to load the fruits. For every class of weight a separate basket is allotted. The
fruits on the basis of their respective weight class will be pushed by the arms into these
baskets.

3.4.2 Assembly Requirements:

1) Conveyor Belt 2) Pushing Arms 3) Load-Cell 4) Collector Buckets 5) Motor

10

 Chapter 4

Quality Sorting

Figure 4.1

4.1 The Working Principle:

Armature 6 is connected by a turning and sliding pair to the housing of solenoid 4 and by
spherical pair A to lever 5, which carries ejecting disk c at its other end. Lever 5, which
is connected by turning pair B to the upright. The mechanism is intended for sorting ftuits.
Each fruit a, travelling on conveyer 1 past photo-tube 2, is illuminated by a beam of light
from light source 3. If the fuit is not fresh, its cloudy contents transmits light poorly and
solenoid 4, controlled by pulses from phototube 2, ejects the fruit with disk c onto chute
d.

4.2 Assembly Requirements:

1) RGB sensor 2) Conveyor Belt 3) Lever Mechanism 4) Chute

11

 Chapter 5

Conclusion

5.1 Comparative Study:

We have selected Sorting by radius mechanism from the suggested list of size sorting
mechanisms because of the following advantages:

1) It is faster than the other mechanisms as it allows multiple fruit intake and facilitates
continous sorting.
2) The construction being a little complex the knife edge follower can yet be adjusted to
match various different fruit sizes and group them accordingly.
3) The accuracy of the grading of fruits is much superior than other suggested
mechanisms.
4) As there is little or almost no impact to the fruits, the damage caused to the fruits due
to machine parts is negligible. Hence, material handling equipment can easily be
sorted.
5) The mechanism is fully automised and requires almost no man power.
6) It requires multiple (two) actuations and consists of two higher pairs and three lower
pairs.

Figure 5.1

12

We have selected Continous Weight Sorting with Conveying mechanism from the suggested
list of weight sorting mechanisms because of the following advantages:

1) It is faster than the other mechanisms as it allows multiple fruit intake and facilitates
continous sorting.
2) The mechanism is very easy to understand and provides multiple segmentation
options.
3) The accuracy of the grading of fruits is much superior than other suggested
mechanisms.
4) As there is little or almost no impact to the fruits, the damage caused to the fruits due
to machine parts is negligible. Hence, material handling equipment can easily be
sorted.
5) The mechanism is fully automised and requires almost no man power.
6) It requires multiple (two) actuations.

Fig 5.2

13

 Refrences
1) Mechanisms in Modern Engineering Design, Volume 1, by I. Artobolevsky

2) Mechanisms in Modern Engineering Design, Volume 2, by I. Artobolevsky

3) Mechanisms in Modern Engineering Design, Volume 3, by I. Artobolevsky

4) Mechanisms in Modern Engineering Design, Volume 4, by I. Artobolevsky

5) Mechanisms in Modern Engineering Design, Volume 5, by I. Artobolevsky

6) Design of an Automated Sorting and Orienting Machine, by Michelle Sueway Chang

7) Weight Based Fruits Sorting System, International Journal of Advance Research in

Computer Science and Management Studies, by Suresh S. Shendage

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