Context:

This work presents the development of an agave decorticator with a safe feeding mechanism. Despite advancements in decortication technology, the literature provides few descriptions that could enable the reproduction of these devices, particularly those with safe feeding mechanisms. Therefore, this article presents the design of an agave decortication machine with a novel feeding system that enhances operational safety. This machine is intended for small-scale production in remote locations with limited access to technology and economic resources, and it is amenable to application in developing countries.

Method:

A mechanical and electronic design methodology was adopted to configure the drum decortication mechanism, the belt drive, the shaft, bearings, the feeding mechanism, and the electronic control and command elements. Structural verification was also carried out through finite element simulations. Theoretical analysis and simulation tools, along with CAD/CAE and electronic design software, were utilized. The construction involved typical workshop machining operations such as turning, drilling, girder cutting, and shield metal arc welding.

Results:

The machine was successfully constructed. Preliminary tests demonstrated a good performance, with a dry fiber production rate of 31.2 kg/h, which is comparable to traditional hand-fed decorticators. The feeding mechanism operates at a significantly low speed (2.5% of the beater drum’s tangential speed), which prevents accidents associated with typical machine configurations. The cost of the equipment is estimated to be 1152 USD, a good value when compared against other similar prototypes in the literature.

Conclusions:

Our agave decorticator with a safe feeding mechanism was successfully designed, built, and preliminarily tested, demonstrating its potential to enhance process safety and efficiency in remote and developing regions while supporting environmental sustainability, sustainable agriculture, and rural employment opportunities.

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