Abstract
This study was to develop a turmeric slicing machine in order to improve the slicing efficiency of fresh turmeric. A turmeric slicing machine was designed, fabricated, and evaluated. The slicing unit consists of cylinder, piston, collecting rod, cam, blades, blades separator, and blade holder. The slicing of turmeric was effected using reciprocating principle with fixed blade powered by an electric motor. The spacing of the blade was made 7mm to achieve uniform slices of turmeric. The blade was removable for easy cleaning and for replacement with blade of varying sizes for the slicing machine to achieve desired slicing. The machine was evaluated with turmeric rhizomes for slicing efficiency (S.E) and percentage of non-uniform slice. The slicing efficiency, non-uniform slice and capacity of the machine for slicing turmeric obtained were 59.8%, 40.2% and 34.3 kg/h respectively.