Design and Manufacturing of Test Rig for Investigation of Improved Mechanical Peeling Methods of Tough Skin Vegetables

摘要

One of the important preparatory stages of fruit and vegetable processing is peeling. Low efficiency of peeling leads to high losses, and poor quality of final processed products. Although several methods of peeling had been developed for some kinds of fruits and vegetables, but there is no any adopted peeling method which can respond to all producer and consumer needs. Mechanical, chemical, and thermal methods are currently in use. Mechanical peeling methods are generally preferred because of keeping freshness and low harmful effects on edible portions of products. Low level of flexibility and efficiency for different size and shape of products are main limitations. This paper presents work done to design and manufacture of a test rig for investigation of improved mechanical peeling methods. High level of flexibility and manoeuvrability of test rig for different size and shape of products and peeling tools were considered in this design.