ABACA Activities in the Philippines - Unido

Ref. No. CFC/FIGHF/09 CFC/UNIDO/FIDA 16
Figure 9. Working model of mechanical tuxer
After thorough and continuous testing, it was observed that the
design improvements did not function effectively as expected.
The tuxying capability of the machine was limited to softer and
thinner leaf sheaths. Tougher and thicker leaf sheaths are either stuck-up
between the flattener and blade mounting or passed through the knife
without recovering the full width of the leaf sheaths. Difficulty in removing
the short fibers accumulated at the blade was also experienced. Tuxies and
waste materials mixed up at the discharge end and needed additional
manpower to recover and arrange the tuxies produced.
4.2.2.4 Final model
Based on the results of the test on the working model, changes
were made on the final model.
The machine now consists of a feeding table, guide roller, knife
assembly, presser, puller, power drive, pedal, and frame assembly. A set of
rollers is mounted in the feeding table to allow the leaf sheath to move
freely towards the knife. This is followed by a guide roller which directs the
leaf sheath to the blade assembly. A roller is mounted and pressed on top of
the knife assembly. It flattens the leaf sheath as it goes through the knife.
The knife then cuts and separates the outer from the inner portions of the
leaf sheath as it is pulled out by two contra-rotating rollers. The whole
assembly is mounted on a frame with two wheels and handle for easy
transport. In operating the machine, the foot pedal is pressed down to create
an opening between the presser and the puller. The leaf sheath is then
inserted in the opening between the two rollers. The foot pedal is released
and the tuxy is manually pulled. A 4Hp gasoline engine is used to power the
machine.