Performance evaluation and factors affecting cassava root cutting machine using cylinder saw and grasper

Abstract

This research proposes a new cassava root-cutting machine designed as a cylinder saw and grasper mechanism. The machine’s performance was assessed to prove its utility, and two factors affecting the performance were investigated: the cassava branching type (erect, dichotomous, and tetrachotomous) and the surrounding gap between the cylinder saw and cassava stalk (10, 15, 20, and 25 mm). The result showed that the average loss, trash, cutting time, compressive force, torque, and power consumption were 3.49 % and 2.34 %, 62 s / stalk, 141.69 N, 15.04 Nm, and 587.75 W, respectively. To prevent high loss and trash, a 20 mm gap is optimal for all branching types.