ABACA Activities in the Philippines - Unido

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Ref. No. CFC/FIGHF/09 CFC/UNIDO/FIDA 20 4.3 Development of abaca decorticating machine 4.3.1 Study model It was made of a single decorticating chamber with 400 mm diameter decorticating drum and a concave anvil; feed conveyor consisting of 3 pieces double V-belts pressed on a 1000 mm diameter – 3 grooves V-pulley, and two prime movers of 10 hp diesel engine for the extracting drum and 10 hp electric motor for the feed conveyor. This is how the machine was operated: the leaf sheaths were laid down in the feed conveyor. One at a time, the leaf sheath was caught by the decorticating drum. Since the machine had only one decorticating drum only half of the leaf sheath could be defibered. The leaf sheath had to be refed to the machine with the undefibered half laid to the side of the decorticating chamber. Figure 14. Working model of autofed decorticating machine The test results show the machine could not extract the materials effectively. The gripping pressure of the conveyor belts was not sufficient to hold the material as it was being defibered at the decorticating chamber. Thus, the material is thrown out of the machine without defibering. 4.3.2 Working model Figure 13. Study model of abaca decorticating machine The working model was designed guided by the objective to complete the decortication process, that is; the whole fed leaf sheath should be decorticated when the machine releases the material. Thus, the working model consisted of two decorticating chambers, two sets of feed conveyors made of steel chains and sprockets with presser, and driven by two 8 hp diesel engines. The machine is mounted on chassis with pneumatic tires.
Ref. No. CFC/FIGHF/09 CFC/UNIDO/FIDA 21 The machine could extract good cleaned fiber with a recovery of 3.34%. However, there was difficulty in transferring the materials from the first to the second conveyor. To effect the proper transferring of material, it has to be guided manually. The steel chains caused the staining of the fiber (blackening of the portion gripped by the chain), particularly in the second conveyor where the material being gripped was already defibered. 4.3.3 Final model Back View Figure 15. Final model of autofed decorticating machine Side View With the problems encountered in the working model, the machine was redesigned and the final model was fabricated. The machine is similar to the working model. It has two decorticating chambers to effect the complete decortication of the whole length of the material. The other components are two sets of conveyors made of flat rubber belts; roller presser to grip and convey the materials effectively while being decorticated; and a prime mover - a 35hp diesel engine. Conveyor belts are also laid out to effectively transfer the materials from the first to the second conveyor. The structure was also redesigned for rigidity and ease of fabrication and assembly. Like the working model, the machine is mounted on a chassis with pneumatic tire. 4.3.4 Work flow
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ABACA Activities in the Philippines - Unido

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