Design and Development of Coconut and Areca Nut Dehusking Machine

Abstract

Areca nut is a crop of significant medicinal importance, predominantly cultivated throughout the Southeast Asian region. Among the producing countries, India stands out as one of the largest contributors, with an annual production of approximately 330,000 tonnes (3.3 lakh tonnes). The therapeutic applications of areca nut are well recognized; it is traditionally used in the management of certain mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, as well as eye disorders such as glaucoma. Beyond its medicinal uses, the nut is also consumed as a recreational substance known to stimulate the central nervous system. Given the steadily rising global demand for areca nut, there is an urgent need to improve both the productivity and the post-harvest processing methods associated with this crop. At present, most processing activities are carried out in rural and countryside areas where manual labor is easily accessible and relatively inexpensive. Although this labor availability helps keep processing costs low, the reliance on manual techniques results in a considerably low output rate—typically only around 3 kilograms per hour. This slow pace of manual processing poses a major bottleneck in meeting increasing market requirements. To address this productivity challenge, a research effort was initiated to design and develop a mechanized system capable of performing all essential processing tasks efficiently while minimizing the need for manual labor. The proposed processing machine integrates three primary functional assemblies: a conveying unit for feeding the nuts, a de husking mechanism for removing the outer husk, and a seed slicing unit for cutting the kernel into desired pieces. The overall design of the machine prioritizes simplicity, compactness, and ease of installation. Key objectives of this development include achieving a substantial improvement in effective production rates, reducing the intensity of manual labor involved, and ensuring safer working conditions during processing. Before proceeding to the physical fabrication stage, all components of the machine were digitally modeled, systematically evaluated, and virtually assembled using SOLID EDGE V19 software. This computer-aided design approach enabled thorough validation of part geometry, fit, and functional performance prior to actual construction.