E-International Scientific Research Journal, Volume 1, Issue 1
DESIGN, FABRICATION AND PERFORMACE EVALUATION OF A COCOON
DEFLOSSING MACHINE
Fatima S. Rodriguez, RPAE, MSAE
Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University
North La Union Campus, Bacnotan, La Union
ABSTRACT
Cocoon floss is one of the wasteful materials in processing cocoon into linen fibers
and novelty items. Human can defloss 2-3kg of cocoon per hour. Hence, delfossing cocoon
is a laborious and tiresome job. To meet industry demand on cocoon products, machine to
defloss cocoon at higher deflossing capacity is needed.
The cocoon deflossing machine with an overall dimension of 60cmx40cmx134cm
was evaluated in three treatments with three replicates each. It is composed of the following
components; the hopper, frame, the deflossing assembly, discharge chute and the power
transmission system. To evaluate the performance of the cocoon deflossing machine,
deflossing time, number of damaged cocoons, weight of deflossed cocoon and power
consumption were determined.
Using the 2.5x1Bx1 drive pulley and 10x1Bx1 driven pulley, with a deflossing
cylinder speed of 435 rpm, the cocoon deflossing capacity and efficiency is 5 kg/hr and
99%, respectively. The machine cost of deflossing is Php 13.97/kg compared to Php
26.67/kg of manual deflossing.
Keyword: cocoon, deflossing, machine, evaluation, performance
INTRODUCTION
Nowadays, Philippines is flourishing on its agricultural based industry. Many
agricultural products were given priority, and it was been the focus of many researchers
today. However, one of them is not given much attention, the sericulture industry.
Sericulture involves production of cocoons for silk and novelty items productions. The
products of linen weaving and cocoon novelty items were already been marketable
worldwide. Hence, these products could benefit the Philippines for the upcoming ASEAN
Integration. Considering the plan for free trade products, sericulture is a great asset of the
Philippines.
Removing of cocoon floss is a very tiresome work. A man can defloss a cocoon at
an average of 2-3 kg/hr. This poor production time lessen the production of silk and novelty
items to the market. To increase cocoon products production, cocoon deflossing machine is
hereby proposed. The objectives of this study are to design, fabricate and evaluate the
performance of a cocoon deflossing machine.
E-International Scientific Research Journal, Volume 1, Issue 1
Objectives of the Study
The general objective of this study was to design, fabricate, test, and evaluate the
performance of cocoon deflossing machine. Specifically, the study aimed to:
1. design and fabricate a cocoon deflossing machine;
2. test and evaluate the operating characteristics of the machine according to the
deflossing time, number of damaged cocoon, weight of deflossed cocoon, and power
consumption; and
3. determine deflossing cost.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Machine Components and Description
The cocoon deflossing machine (Figure 2) has three major assemblies: frame and
hopper; deflossing cylinder assembly; and power supply and transmission system assembly.
The overall dimension of the utility model is 60cmx40cmx134cm.
Frame and hopper Assembly
Frame. Frame is made up of 2.54cmx2.54cmx0.48cm (1”x1x”3/16”) angle bar. It
measures 60cmx40cmx115cm. It supports the hopper and cocoon relay tray. It also serves
as motor and deflossing cylinder base.
Hopper. It measures 60cmx15cmx20cm and made up of #20 galvanized iron sheet.
It is wherein the bag of cocoons will be poured out for deflossing process.
Cocoon relay tray. It is made up #20 galvanized iron sheet that measures
52cmx5cmx60cm. It allows the passage of cocoon from the hopper to the inlet tray. It is
also aided with a stopper made up of #18 galvanized iron sheet to facilitates the gradual
passage of cocoon for the operator to defloss the cocoon efficiently.
Deflossing cylinder assembly
Inlet tray. This is made up of #20 galvanized iron sheet that measures 24cm at one
end and 10cm at the other end. It facilitates relay of cocoon to the deflossing cylinder. It
also helps the operator to monitor the undeflossed and deflossed cocoon during operation.
Deflosser. It is made up of 10.16 cm (4”) diameter black iron pipe, 30.48 cm (12”) in
length and covered with a no.36 sand paper. It removes the cocoon floss while the operator
is pressing lightly the cocoon to the cylinder. It rotates counterclockwise to defloss the
cocoon efficiently.
Drop chute. It is made of #18 galvanized iron sheet with a rectangular slot
measuring 23cmx2cm. It facilitate the dropping of deflossed cocoon to the outlet tray.
Outlet tray. It is made up of #22 galvanized iron sheet, measuring 24 cm on one end
and 5cm on the other end. It facilitates the relay of deflossed cocoon to the collecting bag.
E-International Scientific Research Journal, Volume 1, Issue 1
Power supply and transmission system assembly
Power supply. 746 watts (1hp) electric motor with 1740 rpm was used to rotate the
deflossing cylinder. Fifteen (15) amp push button switch was installed to turn on and off the
motor. This is to facilitate deflossing efficiently and effectively. It is supported by
2.54cmx2.54cmx0.48cm (1”x1”x3/16”) angle bars as its base frame.
Drive mechanism. The 746 watts electric motor with 2.5x1Bx1 pulley drives the
deflosser into counterclockwise rotation by a 10x1Bx1 pulley and transmitted through 56B Vbelt. The electric motor will automatically rotate the deflossing cylinder by pressing the “on”
push button. The cocoon will then go into the deflossing cylinder area for deflossing
process. After the deflossing process, the operator will press the “off” button switch to allow
the delflossed cocoon enter into the drop chute. Another deflossing process can be done by
repeating all the steps mentioned.
Belt and pulley. A 56B V-belt, 2.5x1Bx1 and 10x1Bx1 drive pulley and driven were
used, respectively to transmit the power needed to rotate the deflosser to its
counterclockwise rotation.
Hopper
Stopper
Cocoon relay tray
Cylinder pulley
Drop chute
Inlet tray
Deflosser
Outlet tray
motor
Frame
Figure 2. Cocoon deflossing machine
Performance of the Machine
The final modified cocoon deflossing machine was tested and evaluated. The results
of performance evaluation were as follows:
E-International Scientific Research Journal, Volume 1, Issue 1
Deflossing time
Table 1. Deflossing time for 20g cocoon, sec
TREATMENTS
5”x2.5”
8”x2.5”
10”x2.5”
CLOCKWISE
10.2a
15.3b
20.1c
MEAN
COUNTERCLOCKWISE
07.3a
11.5b
14.4c
Means with the same letters are not significantly different at 1% and 5 % level using LSD either in row or column
Result shows that the deflossing time is significantly different from each other, for
whatever pulley sizes and deflossing cylinder rotation were used. It implies therefore that
pulley sizes are significantly different from each other in terms of deflossing time.
Number of damaged cocoon
Table 2. Damaged cocoon for 20g cocoon, pcs
TREATMENTS
5”x2.5”
8”x2.5”
10”x2.5”
CLOCKWISE
21.0a
15.0b
07.0c
MEAN
COUNTERCLOCKWISE
08.0a
05.0b
01.0c
Means with the same letters are not significantly different at 1% and 5 % level using LSD either in row or column
Table shows that the numbers of damaged cocoon were higher if the deflossing
cylinder rotation is clockwise compared to counterclockwise rotation. Moreover, the larger
the driven pulley size, the lower the number of damaged cocoon. Furthermore, ANOVA
shows significant difference among the treatments.
Weight of deflossed cocoon
Table 3. Deflossed cocoon for 20g cocoon input, g
TREATMENTS
5”x2.5”
8”x2.5”
10”x2.5”
CLOCKWISE
05.0a
10.0b
14.0c
MEAN
COUNTERCLOCKWISE
10.0a
13.0b
19.0c
Means with the same letters are not significantly different at 1% and 5 % level using LSD either in row or column
Result shows that the deflossed cocoon weight is higher using the larger driven
pulley at a deflossing cylinder counterclockwise rotation compared to the smaller driven
pulley and deflossing cylinder clockwise rotation.
Moreover, ANOVA shows significant difference among the treatments. It implies
therefore that the deflossing speed greatly affect the weight of deflossed cocoon.
E-International Scientific Research Journal, Volume 1, Issue 1
Power Consumption
Table 4. Power consumption for 20g cocoon, W-hr
TREATMENTS
CLOCKWISE
2.11a
2.96b
4.17c
5”x2.5”
8”x2.5”
10”x2.5”
MEAN
COUNTERCLOCKWISE
1.51a
2.38b
2.98c
Means with the same letters are not significantly different at 1% and 5 % level using LSD either in row or column
Table shows significant difference among the treatments. It implies therefore that
the driven pulley significantly affect the machine’s power consumption during the operation.
Deflossing Cost
The deflossing cost of the machine was determined using the deflossing capacity of
5kg/hr, power consumption cost and labor cost of Php 400/day. Table 5 shows that
machine’s deflossing cost is Php 13.97/ kg. It is more economical compared to the manual
deflossing cost of Php 26.67/kg.
Table 5. Deflossing cost, Php/kg
Capacity
Labor Cost
Operation per day
Electrical Power Consumption
Deflossing cost
Deflossing Machine
5kg/hr
Php 400/day
6 hours
Php 19.20/day
Php 13.97/kg
Manual Deflossing
2-3kg/hr
Php 400/day
6 hours
None
Php 26.67/kg
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
The main objective of this study is to design fabrication and evaluate the
performance of a cocoon deflossing machine. Specifically, to determine the machine’s
deflossing capacity, efficiency and deflossing cost. The fabricated deflossing machine was
evaluated on its deflossing time, number of damaged cocoon, weight of defloss cocoon and
machine’s power consumption.
Results showed significant difference among the treatments in any of the evaluated
machine’s performance. Moreover, it was revealed that using larger pulley size and
deflossing cylinder counterclockwise rotation, the best deflossing efficiency and capacity of
the machine will be attained. The deflossing efficiency and capacity was 99% and 5kg/hr,
respectively.
The machine has an overall dimension of 60cmx40cmx134cm and a cost of Php12,
824.00 with a deflossing cost of Php13.97/kg.
E-International Scientific Research Journal, Volume 1, Issue 1
RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the results of the study, the following is hereby recommended:
1. Conduct further study using larger driven pulley and smaller electric motor size.
2. A modification that eliminates human intervention during deflossing process.
3. The machine is recommended for commercialization and extension.
LITERATURE CITED
Madrid, A. E. 1996. Modification and Performance Evaluationof a Cocoon Deflossing
Machine. Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-SRDI. Bacnotan.La Union
Motorised Cocoon Deflossing Machine. Central Sericultural Research and Training
Institute, Mysore, Karnataka
Agriculture and Consumer Protection. Silk Reeling and Testing Manual. FAO
Corporate Document Repository.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First of all, the researcher acknowledged and thanked God for His given love,
wisdom, and strength for the researcher to finish this study. Also a special thanks to the
following:
DMMMSU for funding the said research;
Dr. Zosima Tadina for her unending support and encouragement for the fulfillment
of the study;
Prof Rogelio Estacio for catering my paper for publication, and to
DMMMSU SRDI, NLUC Research Office, Tatay Rosendo Narciso, Virghel, Ate
Badeth, DMMMSU-NLUC Utility Workers, DMMMSU-NLUC Supply Office, and to other
DMMMSU personnel who have shared their support.