DEVELOPMENT OF A TOMATO SLICING MACHINE

Abstract

In many parts of Nigeria, post-harvest and storage spoilage losses are enormous because of poor handling
facilities for agricultural produce. This problem leads to undue scarcity of agricultural produce
immediately after harvesting season. In order to address this problem, a tomato slicing machine was
designed, fabricated and tested. This machine is intended to add value to ripped tomatoes by slicing and
exposing the water cells for easy drying in a dryer on an industrial scale. The sliced dried tomato chips
gotten will be packaged for storage in order to improve its shelf life. The performance evaluation of the
fabricated machine was carried out to be very efficient. Several quantity of measured tomatoes were fed
into the machine in a given time taking about 2kg in a minute under a continuous feeding. The feed and
slicing time were observed and measured. The results of the tests were tabulated and analyzed. The
machine provides a lasting solution to the drudgery associated with tomato slicing.