Pili Nut Cracking Machine

Mariane A. Bellosillo1, Ronald Allan A. Ramos2, Ceejei Lanz C. Talamor3,

Jefferson C. Tangcay4, Marlou B. Tubid5
Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering,
Technological University of the Philippines, Manila

mariane_bellosillo28@yahoo.com(1)
ron.mousse01@gmail.com(2)
sijitalamor@gmail.com(3)
Jefferson_tangcay@yahoo.com(4)
marlou.tubid@gmail.com(5)

ABSTRACT- Given the growing demand for
pili nut products, both local and international,
several studies and researches have been
conducted to find a more advance and faster
way of extracting pili nut from its shell without
damaging the kernel itself. Similarly, this
study aims to improve and develop the
efficiency and effectivity of the previous pili
nut cracking machine that have been designed
few years prior to this research. The design
considered the application of force on the
longitudinal axis instead of traversed axis of
the pili nut. Within this context, different force
analysis had been formulated to show how
much load is needed to crack the nut shell in
vertical position.
The machine consists of three (3) major
elements: the conveyor, the feeding and
cracking system. These assembly are timed
through a Geneva and Chain and Sprocket
mechanism that is driven by a 3-Hp DC motor.
The operation is designed using Geneva
mechanism to drive the conveyor while the
cracking system rely on the cam and follower
mechanism. The cracked pili nut will be
transferred to a bin at the end of the conveyor.
The machine can crack pili nuts with a feeding
rate of 50 pili nuts per minute which is about
47.93% faster compared to manual operation.
I. INTRODUCTION
According to the Bureau of
Agriculture Statistics, the Bicol region is one
of the top producers of pili nuts in the
Philippines. The growing foreign and
domestic demand for pili nut products poses
challenges for the pili-based industry. The
pili nut and its by-products have a
progressively growing market in the China,
Hongkong, Middle East, and United States.
The Philippines also exports pili nut products
to countries such as Japan, Hawaii, France,
Germany, and Great Britain.
Retrieving a perfect pili kernel
requires accuracy only expert workers can
deliver. This is easily due to the centuries-old
tradition of pili-cracking and enough practice
to beat any machine. Pagtilad is the process
used by the Bicolanos to crack the hard nut
using a bolo, with unbelievably rhythmic,
accurate, and graceful whacking. A paratilad
expert could easily cut through the thick,
hardwood-esque pili shells, and finish 100
kilograms per day. It was observed that pili
nuts decrease their marketability due to high
degree of damage caused by impact shelling.
II. METHODOLOGY
A. Project Design
A qualitative and developmental research
that is focused on improving the existing pili nut
cracking machines will be done. The qualitative
research will involve testing and evaluation of the Table 2.1 Shows all the parts and auxiliaries of
project. The developmental research involves the the Semi-Automated Pili Nut Cracking Machine.
design concepts, ideas and theories employed for
the study. Prototyping will be done after the Table 2.1 Parts and Auxiliaries
design is finalized to prove the effectiveness and
efficiency based on the theories, research and
design obtained.

Fig 2.1 Final Design of Semi- Automated Pili Nut

Cracking Machine

C. Construction and Fabrication

B. Project Assembly
This phase of the said research has the
following involved activities such as rough
estimation of bills in assembling the cracking
machine, purchase of appropriate material needed
in the fabrication of the cracking machine, and
selection of place that is convenient for
fabricating the cracking machine. Many
fabrication companies were consulted by the
group after finalizing the design. Some
recommendations from the fabricator were
incorporated in the machine like the use of mild
steel conveyor bars and chamfered base of the
conveyor bars.

D. Testing and Evaluation

Three trials shall be made using 50 pcs as

Fig 2.2- Exploded view of the whole machine sampling size. Fifty sampling size was selected to
facilitate computation of percentage pili nut that
is whole and percentage that is cracked. Whole
kernel shall mean what is acceptable based on
current practice of the market what is the Table 3.2 Effectiveness of feeding mechanism
appearance that traders of pili nut will buy as with recommended pipe attachment
premium. Refer to attached pictures showing Time
what whole kernel looks like. Any damage kernel Fed Misfed Efficiency Elapsed,
that does not look like what is described as whole s
will be considered as cracked.
Each trial final output means produced 1st Trial 40 10 0.80 38
cracked pili nut (without its covering husk) shall 2 nd
be sorted, classified as whole and cracked shall be 43 7 0.86 35
Trial
performed and weigh on a per trial basis. Each 3rd
trial time shall be recorded, time will start from 43 7 0.86 26
Trial
the moment the uncracked pili nut is put on the
Average 42 8 0.84 33
bin (prior to nut going into crashing) until it
reaches the collection bin located below the
machine. Trials of three will be average to use as Table 3.3. Number of acceptable and reject pili
the final metric to measure production efficiency kernel recovered
comparing to manual method. Calculation of
Acceptable, Reject,
weight of the unhusked pili nut shall be included pcs pcs
to show how many kilograms per 50 pieces (kernel (kernel
sampling size and its corresponding equivalent that Total % whole
that shows Kernel kernel
weight in kilogram. no signs shows
Recovered recovered
of signs of
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION damage) cracking
damage)
Table 3.1 Effectiveness of feeding mechanism 1st trial 26 16 42 0.619
per 50 pcs of pili
2nd trial 28 15 43 0.651
Time
3rd trial 25 16 41 0.61
Fed Misfed Efficiency Elapsed,
s Average 27.33 15.6 42 0.651
st
1 Trial 42 8 0.84 46.63
2nd Table 3.4 Cycle time per kg of 50 pcs
43 7 0.86 45.88
Trial Kilogram of
3rd Initial pili after
41 9 0.82 46.13
Trial weight per feeding and
Cycle
Average 42 8 0.84 46.21 50 pcs of cracking
time (s)
uncracked (including
pili, kg the kernel
Table 3.1 presents the effectiveness of and husk)
feeding mechanism. It shows that 42 out of 50
pieces of pili nut sample are effectively fed in the 1st Trial 0.5 0.428 46.63
machine with a total cycle time of 46.21 seconds.
2nd Trial 0.45 0.387 45.88
The feeding efficiency of the Pili Nut Cracking
Machine can be obtained by the ratio of number 3rd Trial 0.47 0.326 46.13
of fed pili to the number of sample size. The
feeding efficiency for Trials 1, 2, and 3 are 84%, Average 46.21
86% and 82% respectively. The average feeding
efficiency is 84%. Avg.
Weight per 0.473 0.380
50 pcs
 IV. CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATION
A. Conclusion
1. The designed and fabricated feeding
mechanism can easily transfer the pili nuts from
the bin to the conveyor bars provided that the
operator adds pili nuts to the bin gradually.
2. 42 out of 50 pili nuts were cracked with an
average time of 46.21 secs.
3. With the recommended pipe attachment, the
feeding time was reduced to an average of 33
seconds with the same efficiency.
4. The machine showed a 47.93% cycle time
improvement compared to manual cracking
process.
5. The operational manual and job safety analysis
is provided for the safety of the operator of the
machine.
B. Recommendation
The following recommendations and suggestions
are specified for better performance of the
machine and as a basis for further studies and
research:
1. Choose alternative materials for the feeding
mechanism to make the machine lighter.
2. Use less motor power as possible to lessen the
electric consumption.
3. Use food grade materials for the conveyor
bars.
4. Consider using pipes/tubes as guides for the
pili nuts to improve the feeding mechanism.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The proponents would like to
acknowledge the individuals who supported
them, inspired them, shared their thoughts, ideas
and knowledge, expertise and devoted their
precious time and effort for this project to be
successful.
First and foremost, to the Lord God
Almighty, for providing the strength and
guidance for finishing this project.
The group would like to recognize the
support of our dear adviser Engr. Roy B. Tagpis
for accommodating us during consultation and
giving us guidance in making this project.
The group would like to acknowledge the staff of
C-Jun Machine Shop and to Mr. Nonoy and Kuya
Alvin for sharing their expertise on machine
works and by extending their hand by providing
all the necessary adjustments during the
fabrication.
To all the Professors for sharing their
valuable insights on how to improve the machine.
And to the parents, family, and friends
for unconditional love and support that serve as
their inspiration specially in their studies, and to
the financial support to accomplish this Project.
REFERENCES
1. 1.The Pili Nut of Bicol, Philippines: “In a
nutshell, it’s perfect!” – Trade Winds Bicol
(DTI Region V)
2. 2.The Great Pili Tree - Miriam Coronel
Ferrer
3. Promising Technologies for Pili Processing -
Erwin S. Embuscado (Department of
Agriculture, PhilMech)
4. 3.Pili Production Guide – Business Diary
Philippines
5. 4.Dry method pili depulper, faster pili nut
cracker developed - Cet Dematera (PhilStar)
6. 5.BU develops modern nut cracker to boost
Bicol’s pili industry - Danny O. Calleja
(balita)
7. 6.Minimum Wage Rates – Department of
Labor and Employment
8. 7.CountrySTAT Philippines – Philippine
Statistic Authority
9. Main Grid Electricity Rates – National Power
Corporation
10. http://news.abs-cbn.com/views-and-
analysis/12/24/09/great-pili-tree-miriam-
coronel-ferrer
11. http://www.philmech.gov.ph/?page=news&a
ction=details&code01=fp10120001
12. http://businessdiary.com.ph/2674/pili-
production-guide/
13. http://www.philstar.com/agriculture/162282/
dry-method-pili-depulper-faster-pilinut-
cracker-developed
14. http://balita.ph/2009/09/01/bu-develops-
modern-nut-cracker-to-boost-bicols-pili-
industry/
15. http://www.nwpc.dole.gov.ph/pages/rb-
5/cmwr.html
16. http://countrystat.psa.gov.ph/?cont=10&pag
eid=1&ma=A60PNVOP
17. https://www.napocor.gov.ph/index.php/2013
-09-13-01-23-51/psalm-effective-rates