ISHS Acta Horticulturae 291: III International Mango Symposium
DEVELOPMENT OF A COMMERCIAL MANGO PEELER/SLICER |
| Author: | T.G. Franklin |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.1991.291.61 |
| Abstract:
A machine has been developed that simultaneously peels and slices mango cheeks previously cut from the seed piece. Machine cut slices have a uniform neat appearance with a smooth knife cut on all faces. The product is superior in every respect to that produced by a hand operation. Slice width is currently set at 14mm but any predetermined width of slice can be achieved by adjusting the distance between the slicing blades. Size grading of the whole fruit is not necessary. Fruit pieces in the form of cheeks cut from whole fruit ranging in size from 300 g to 800 g can be handled by the machine without making any adjustments. Mango flesh remaining on the peel can be controlled by altering the gap on the peeling knife. A comparison between machine peeling and hand peeling is made. Results suggest that hand peeling can cause a reduction of up to 5.6% in the recovery of slices compared with machine peeling. A hand operated prototype machine was developed and demonstrated during the 1986/87 season. A power driven prototype was trialed in a commercial processing factory during the 1987/88 season. This machine was modified to provide a higher throughout and was again trialed commercially during the 1988/89 season with outstanding results. Production rates achieved during the current season were in the order of 400 kg hr-1 of slices for production runs of 1 – 1 ½ hours duration. Six hundred and eighty kg hr-1 was achieved for short runs of ten minutes duration. The theoretical maximum production rate of the machine is of the order of 2 000 kg hr-1. Production rates achieved by the machine during the current season are discussed and compared with the present hand method of production. | |
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