International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)

ISSN: 2319-7064
Index Copernicus Value (2016): 79.57 | Impact Factor (2017): 7.296

Design and Fabrication of Plantain (BANANA)

Fiber Extracting Mechanism
Mahendra K C1, Virupaksha Gouda H2
1
Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rao Bahadur Y Mahabaleswarappa Engineering College,
Ballari -583104, Karnataka, India
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rao Bahadur Y Mahabaleswarappa Engineering College, Ballari -583104,
Karnataka, India

Abstract: Objective of the present paper is to design and fabrication of banana fiber extraction equipment to develop high quality
banana fiber from banana pseudo stems. Banana fiber offers good mechanical properties. This plant fiber has long been a better source
for high quality textiles industries in many parts of the world, especially in Japan and Nepal. Manually extraction of the banana fiber
requires proper procedure and its time consuming. Labor expense is also high. Now day’s machines exist for extracting banana fiber
with mass production. The number of machines is currently available nowadays, but quality obtained is not up to the optimum level.
This can be overcome by fabricating the designing of an extracting mechanism of banana fiber from plant’s pseudo-stem, designing a
rotor assembly which consisting of two disks on which six blunt blades are mounted, and a shaft design to drive this rotor assembly and
the pulley and powering system for the machine. This paper specifies the new model of machine and its working operation.

Keywords: Plantain Fiber, Jute Fiber, Pseudo Stems, Extraction Mechanism.

1. Introduction textile and constructive industry. The banana plant fibers are
the agricultural residue of the parent cultivation. Therefore
Banana fiber extracting industry is a large and growing extraction of these fibers through proper equipment helps to
industry. Banana fiber is eco-friendly like jute fiber. The attain specific research areas and applications.
technology of plantain fiber extraction has been developed in
south-India where in a good number of plantain fiber 2. Literature Review
extraction units have been running successfully. Some firms
are exporting plantain fiber products because of the greater Banana has long been considered a food, fruit and fodder
demand. Banana growing states of North East region as crop. In addition to this, now a day, it is also gaining
adopted the technique from south and started production of importance as a source of fibers. India is the largest producer
plantain fiber. The natural fiber is renewable, non-abrasive, of banana in the world with an estimated annual output of
bio-degradable entity. 13.5 million tons, of which 80% is generated from six states,
namely, Tamilnadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala Andhra
Pradesh and Gujarat. Annually about 1.5 million tons of dry
banana fibers can be produced from the outer sheath of
pseudo stem. Being a rich source of natural fibers, the
pseudo stem can be profitably utilized for numerous
applications and preparation of various products. In order to
know the previous reported details of banana fiber
production and utilization and blending possibilities, a
literature review was carried out. Following are the some of
the findings related to banana plantain fiber:
 Banana plant fiber as a substitute for Jute, Banana Plant
Figure 1.1: Pseudo Stems fiber is strong, soft, and coarse and technique developed
for processing the fiber on standard jute machinery is
reported.
 The banana fiber was also blended with Mesta (cellulosic
fiber). The banana 82 fiber spin ability and weaving
performance were invested, so that it can be used as a good
substitute for jute in making of sacks and packaging
materials.
 Jute Technological Research Laboratories, (JTR Lab)
Calcutta73, carried out an experiment work, (1974) on
Figure 1.2: Banana Plant rope making with banana plant fiber. It was concluded that
banana fiber can replace certain percentage of Mesta, a
It offers good calorific value and exhibit excellent cellulosic fiber in the composition of agricultural ropes.
mechanical properties and is inexpensive. This good
environmental friendly feature makes the material very
popular in engineering applications such as automotive,
Volume 7 Issue 10, October 2018
www.ijsr.net
Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY
Paper ID: ART20191808 DOI: 10.21275/ART20191808 520
 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN: 2319-7064
Index Copernicus Value (2016): 79.57 | Impact Factor (2017): 7.296
3. Problem Definition

The rising interest in natural fibers in the composites field is

undeniable, mainly due to sustainability, but also because of
their good mechanical properties and low cost. Since natural
fiber is available widely across the specific location
depending upon the nature of plant available in the selected
area, hence the fiber plays a vital role in all the technical
applications.

Banana fiber is obtained from the superimposed leaves

forming the pseudo stem of the plant, which currently has no Figure 4.1: Loads on Shafts
use; apart from a low percentage dedicated to cattle feed. It
belongs to Musa genre, as a monocot. 4.3 Rotor

Banana fibers are made of cellulose (43.6%), hemicelluloses The rotor consists of copper or aluminum bars connected
(14%), lignin (11%) and other substances (such as pectin, together at the ends with rings. As magnetic flux cuts across
wax, and 31.4%). This extracted part from the specific plant the rotor bars, a voltage is induced in them, much as a
finds its use in various technical and agricultural voltage is induced in the secondary winding of a transformer.
applications. Hence the fiber extraction can be considered as Because the rotor bars are part of a closed circuit (including
important activity for any research oriented ventures. the end rings), a current circulates in them.

4. Design of Components
In this design procedure and Parts like square stand, rotor
blade, shaft, ball bearing, v-belt, sheet metal, and induction
motor are discussed:

4.1 Design of Bearings

The bearings are pressed smoothly to fit into the shafts

because if hammered the bearing may develop cracks.
Bearing is made upon steel material and bearing cap is mild
Figure 4.2: Rotor Parts
steel.
4.4 AC-Motor
Bearing No. 6202
An electric motor is an electromechanical device that
Table 4.1: Bearings Specifications converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.
Outer Diameter of Bearing (D) 35 mm
Thickness of Bearing (B) 12 mm
Inner Diameter of the Bearing (d) 15 mm
Maximum Speed 14,000 rpm
(D + d) / 2
Mean Diameter (dm)
(35 + 15) / 2
dm 25 mm

4.2 Design of Shaft

A shaft is a rotating member usually of circular cross-section Figure 4.3: Ac-Motor

(solid or hollow), which transmits power and rotational
motion. Machine elements such as gears, pulleys (sheaves), Most electric motors operate through the interaction of
flywheels, clutches, and sprockets are mounted on the shaft magnetic fields and current-carrying conductors to generate
and are used to transmit power from the driving device force. The reverse process, producing electrical energy from
(motor or engine) through a machine. The shaft rotates on mechanical energy, is done generators such as an alternator
rolling contact bearings or bush bearings. or a dynamo some electric motors can also be used as
generators.

Volume 7 Issue 10, October 2018

www.ijsr.net
Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY
Paper ID: ART20191808 DOI: 10.21275/ART20191808 521
 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN: 2319-7064
Index Copernicus Value (2016): 79.57 | Impact Factor (2017): 7.296
4.5 Spur Gear

Figure 4.4: Spur Gear

Spur gears or straight-cut gears are the simplest type of gear.

They consist of a cylinder or disk with teeth projecting
radially. Though the teeth are not straight-sided (but usually
of special form to achieve a constant drive ratio, mainly but
less commonly) the edge of each tooth is straight and aligned
parallel to the axis of rotation. These gears mesh together
correctly only if fitted to parallel shafts.

5. Fabrication
Figure 5.2: Surface Finishing
Table 5.2: Fabrication Requirements
Sl. No. Components Material Quantity
1. Frame M.S 4
2. Rotor AL 1
3. AC-motor - 1
4. Spur gear C.I 6
5. Bracket M.S 6

5.1 Frame

A frame is made of mild steel. This mild steel is turned into a

square pipe which is fabricated and made to form a frame
which holds the entire components. mild steel contains
approximately .05-.25% of carbon making it malleable and
ductile. Mild steel has a relatively low tensile strength, but it
is low cost and easy to form, surface hardness can be
increased through carburizing.
Figure 5.3: Cutting the Frame

Finally, a fabricated model as per the dimension consisting

of all the assembled parts is shown in the fig

Figure 5.1: Frame

The fabrication is done by considering mild steel material as

frame. This material is cut as per the required dimension to
make the frame body. Welding and process are employed to
get required shape and to assemble the various components
to the equipment.

Various stages of fabrication are shown in the following fig:

Figure 5.4: Assembled Fabricated Model

Volume 7 Issue 10, October 2018

www.ijsr.net
Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY
Paper ID: ART20191808 DOI: 10.21275/ART20191808 522
 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN: 2319-7064
Index Copernicus Value (2016): 79.57 | Impact Factor (2017): 7.296
References
[1] Mlambo Farai DESIGN OF A BANANA FIBRE
EXTRACTING MACHINE ( A case study of Matanuska
small scale commercial farm in Chipinge) (2015).
[2] Vadivel K, Vijayakumar A, Solomon S, Santhoshkumar
R “A Review Paper on Design and Fabrication of Banana
Fiber Extraction Machine and Evaluation of Banana Fiber
Properties Vol. 6, Issue 3, March 2017.
[3] Abhijit Shinde1, Swapnil Veer2, Tushar Shinde3, Payal
Sagale4, D. P. Kamble “A Review On Extraction
Methods Of Bamboo Fibers And Banana”
[4] Johnston, T. (2002). Banana Paper. The Buzz. Transform
Australia. 2003, 1-4. DOI=http://ingentaconnection.com /
content/ oup/ exbotj/ 2002/ 00000053/ 00000375/ art
01771.
[5] Laly A. Pothana, Zachariah Oommenb, and Sabu
Figure 5.5: Iso Metric View
Thomas, “Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of Banana Fiber
Reinforced Polyester Composites”, Composites Science
6. Working Operation and Technology, 63(2) (2003), pp. 283–293.
[6] Satyanarayana, K. G., K. Sukumaran, P. S. Mukherjee, C.
The single phase supply is given to the induction motor, it Pavithran and S. G. K. Pillai. (1990), Natural Fiber–
will run. The motor pulley is coupled to the spur gear pulley Polymer Composites, J Cement and Concrete
with the help of belt. The spur gear arrangement is run Composites, 12(2) pp. 117–136.
according to the speed of the motor. Before switch on the
induction motor, the banana fiber extracting wire is locked to Author Profile
the lock nut in the banana fiber extracting shaft. The banana
fiber extracting wire is supply by a banana fiber extracting Mahendra K C, Working as a Assistant Professor in
wire tare. The tare is fixed to the frame stand by two end the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
bearings, so that it will run freely according to the speed of R.Y.M.E.C Ballari., Karnataka Completed my
the banana fiber extracting shaft. The banana fiber extracting Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in the
shaft is rotated when the single phase induction motor Year 2012 from Kuvempu University, Shivamogga and Master’s of
switched ON. Technology in Production Engineering and Systems Technology, in
the Year 2014 from Visvesvaraya Technological University,
Belagavi. Presently Pursuing Doctoral degree in the area of welding
under Visvesvaraya Technological University.

Virupaksha Gouda H, Working as a Assistant

Professor in the Department of Mechanical
Engineering. R.Y.M.E.C Ballari., Karnataka. Since
form February 2015. Completed Diploma in
Mechanical Engineering in the Year 2007 form D.T.E-Bangalore.
Further Completed Bachelor’s degree in Industrial & Production
Engineering in the Year 2011 from Visvesvaraya Technological
University, Belagavi and Master’s of Technology in Production
Management in the Year 2014 from Visvesvaraya Technological
University, Belagavi and Meanwhile in this Journey worked for
Jindal Steel Limited about 7.5 Years. Presently Pursuing Doctoral
Figure 6.1: Banana Fiber Extracting Machine degree in the area of Composite Materials under Visvesvaraya
Technological University.
7. Conclusion

This enzymatic treatment has proven to be useful for banana

fiber treatment, achieving an improvement in terms of
cleanliness and fibrillation. Enzymatic treatments improve
the thermal stability of fibers by the removal of pectin and
hemicelluloses, while producing a slight decrease in
mechanical properties, probably due to defibrillation found
under SEM observations.

Banana fiber can be spun to produce yarns, mixed or not

mixed with other fibers, while the most suitable for industrial
scale-up without major equipment changes would be the
blend of banana fiber and wool.

Volume 7 Issue 10, October 2018

www.ijsr.net
Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY
Paper ID: ART20191808 DOI: 10.21275/ART20191808 523