The fan-shaped banana cutting machine is an innovative solution for
banana processing that focuses on mechanical efficiency without using
complicated electronic sensors. The machine has four main mechanisms
consisting of cutting, pushing, conveyor, and a rotating plate mechanism.
The cutting mechanism uses four sharp blades to slice each banana into
five fan-shaped pieces, with an average banana weight of 100 grams. The
machine can cut up to 30 bananas per minute with a pulley speed of 30
RPM, making it fast and consistent. The pushing and conveyor
mechanism work together to move the bananas into position for cutting
and transport the slices smoothly. The rotating plate is designed to collect
up to five sliced bananas in one cycle. This study explains the design and
testing process using motion analysis software to make sure the machine
works well. The simulation looked at the movement, power use, and
efficiency of each mechanism of the machine. Theresults showed the total
power needed is 4.4 Watts, with 2.4 Watts for the cutting mechanism, 0.12
Watts for the pushing mechanism, 1.26 Watts for the conveyor
mechanism, and 0.62 Watts for the rotating plate mechanism. A 0.25 HP
motor with a speed reducer (1:47 ratio) was chosen to run the machine
efficiently.The design focuses on mechanical systems, making it simple
and reliable for small-scale production. This machine is a cost-effective
and practical option for improving productivity in banana processing. The
study provides a strong foundation for future mechanical innovations in
food processing technology.
Keywords: Fan-shaped banana; cutting mechanism; pushing mechanism;
simulation; motion analysis