Development of HTU-model variable chipping clearance cassava chipper

Abstract

The objective of this research was to design, construct and evaluate a variable chipping clearance cassava chipper for processors which will produce uniform and varying cassava chip geometry for multipurpose usage. It consists of a drive shaft with varying chipping clearances (6, 18, and 28 mm) to produce varied chip geometry. The average throughput capacity of the chipper was found to be 475.5 kg·h<sup>–1</sup> at a speed range of 460–800 rpm with a chipping clearance of 6–28 mm. The average chipping efficiency ranges from a minimum–maximum of 76.6–99.4% for the selected operational speeds and chipping clearances. The chipping capacity and the output to input ratio is dependent on the operational speeds and chipping clearances of the machine.

Effect of variable chipping clearance and operational speed on the cassava chip geometry

“…In the case of Awulu et al (2015), however, only operating speeds were considered by using varying pulley diameters without reference to chipping clearance. A cassava chipper with variable chipping clearance was designed, and the machine's capacity and chipping efficiency were evaluated (Ahorsu et al, 2021). As a result, the goal of this study was to determine the effect of the cassava chipper with variable chipping clearance and varying operational cutting speeds on chip geometry.…”