DESIGN OF A MAIZE GRINDING MACHINE USING LOW COST STAINLESS STEEL AND DUAL ENERGY SOURCE FOR ALTERNATIVE POWERING

Abstract

The specific objectives were to study existing grinding machines, determine the problems from literature and user perspectives, carry out materials study and design the machine. Secondary and ethnographic data collection were considered in the method from existing machines and users, as well as data of market survey of materials cost, thereafter the use of relevant theories for the design of the machine, and analysis. The hopper capacity of the 8.5kg maize grinding need was found to be 0.011m3 with a sheet thickness of 1mm made from ferritic stainless steel. It was predicted that the machine’s throat would be 0.00057m3 in volume
made from 2mm thick sheet, and the diameter of the shaft passing through it was calculated to be 18mm. 0.5kW was calculated to power the machine using a belt and pulley system. Driver and driven pulley diameters were 30mm and 150mm, with speeds of 1500rpm and 300rpm accordingly, having belt lengths of 1230mm and 1190mm for engine-grinder pulleys and the electric motor-grinder pulleys respectively. The modified dimensions of table height, height from table to centre of grinder pulley, and table length were 441.4mm, 200mm and 800mm respectively