Development and Performance Evaluation of a Lead Screw-Assisted Multi-Crop Slicing Machine for Selected Crops

Abstract

The need for efficient and adaptable slicing equipment for heterogeneous agricultural produce remains a major challenge in small- to medium-scale agro-processing. This study presents the design, fabrication, and performance evaluation of a lead screw–assisted multi-crop slicing machine capable of processing cucumber, potato, and plantain with varying geometrical properties. The machine integrates a controlled feed mechanism with a rotary stainless-steel blade system to achieve uniform slicing across different crop types. Performance evaluation was conducted using slicing efficiency, percentage material loss, and throughput capacity under controlled operating conditions. Results showed that slicing efficiency ranged from 97.5–98.7% for cucumber, 95.8–96.4% for potato, and 95.7–97.9% for plantain. Corresponding percentage losses were 1.3–2.5%, 3.6–4.2%, and 2.1–4.3%, respectively. Throughput capacity varied between 96–120 kg h⁻¹ for cucumber, 72–96 kg h⁻¹ for potato, and 40–80 kg h⁻¹ for plantain, reflecting the influence of crop texture and geometry on machine performance. The relatively lower throughput observed for plantain was attributed to its higher resistance to cutting and larger size. The results demonstrate that the developed slicer achieves high slicing efficiency with minimal material loss while accommodating multiple crop types. This highlights its potential as a cost-effective and versatile solution for improving post-harvest processing efficiency. Further optimization of blade configuration and power transmission system is recommended to enhance throughput performance.