wjert, 2017, Vol.

3, Issue 6,
67 -82. Original Article ISSN 2454-695X
Yekinniet al. World Journal of Engineering Research and Technology
World Journal of Engineering Research and Technology
WJERT
www.wjert.org SJIF Impact Factor: 4.326

MODIFICATIONAND DEVELOPMENT OF MANUAL

A LY
OPERATEDAND MOTORIZED MELON SEED
SHELLING/SEPARATING M
ACHINE

*Corresponding Author Yekinni Adekunle*, Rabiu Taiwo, Bajela Gideon, Adigun Ismail,
Yekinni Adekunle
Lagos State Polytechnic, Saheed Rasheed, Lamidi Sheriff and Ademolu Olalekan
Ikorodu, Nigeria.

Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, Nigeria.

Article Received on 20/08/2017 Article Revised on 10/09/2017 Article Accepted on 01/10/2017

ABSTRACT
Melon shelling and separating/cleaning is usually done manually by hand in most part of the
world. However, this method used to be time consuming and strenuous. To address such
challenges, a machine for shelling the melon seeds and separating melon seeds from the chaff
on
a small scale was modified, developed and evaluated. The machine was constructed using
locally available materials, and consists of shelling unit and separating/cleaning unit. The
shelling unit was developed using impact method and consists of hopper, shelling drum,
shelling vanes and shelling disc, outlet throat, chamber cover, collector, AC motor, bearing,
manual operating handle, belt and pulleys. The separating/cleaning unit consists of blower
fan, separator case, case cover, and base. A 1 Hp electric motor of 1400 rpm speed was
selected to give 700 rpm speed on the drive shaft with a velocity of 5.87m/s and a torque of
10.18Nm. A blowing fan of 1950 rpm and 290mm blade diameter was selected to blow off
the chaff for the seed to be discharged from outlet throat of the separating unit. Shelling
efficiency at dry condition was 71.4% and at wet condition (moisture content of 21.4%) was
86.7%. The shelling and separating units performed satisfactorily and therefore
recommended for domestic and commercial shelling of melon seeds. Adoption of this
machine for shelling operations will go a long way in boosting the production of vegetable oil
obtainable from melon seed for consumption.

www.wjert.org 67
 Yekinni et al. World Journal of Engineering Research and
Technology

KEYWORDS: Shelling, separating/cleaning, melon seed, moisture content, shelling

efficiency

INTRODUCTION
Melon according to Aguayo and Artes, (2004), has 18 metric tons grown annually, and the
fourth most important crop in the world in terms of production. It is also one of the highly
cultivated and consumed oil seed crop in Nigeria and West Africa. The main cultivars found
in Nigeria are Bara, Serewe and Sofin. Bara which is also known as papa has large brown
seeds with thick black edges thickened towards the apex, about 16 x 9.5 mm and is common
in the northern and western part of Nigeria. They are also found in eastern Nigeria and its
shelled kernel could be grounded into thick paste or sprinkled into a soup or a stew and can
be used as raw material in the production of margarine, salad local pomade, soap while its
shell could be used as poultry litter (Bankole et al., 2010; Egbe et al., 2015; Shittu and
Ndrika, 2012; Ogbe and George, 2012). Melon seeds are highly nutritious, providing the
human diet with good quality proteins of about 26.2-37.4% and oil content of about 47.3-50
(Norton, 1993; Ogbonna and Obi, 2007; Ajibola, et al., 1990; Omidiji, 1997). It contains
about 41.51% essential amino acids and other essential nutrients (Sabo et al, 2015; Achu et
al., 2005).

Melon seed is also a good source of minerals, vitamins, oil and energy in form of
carbohydrates (Olaniyi, 2008). Through fermentation, coring, washing, drying, shelling and
oil extraction it can be processed to further diversify its use (James et al., 2011; Nwakire
et al., 2011).

Shelling and cleaning is considered as one of and important postharvest processing of melon
to its finished products. However, this operation is usually associated with some impediments
such as high expenditure of human energy. The inability to effectively shell melon to meet
the requisite capacity necessary for industrial utilization is also a great hindrance to its use for
large scale production of various commodities (Adekunle et al., 2009). This conventional,
traditional or manual method of shelling melon according to Pradhan et al, (2010), is
considered to be inefficient, tedious and time consuming, such that the availability of their
products in the market is limited. In addition, such unmechanized method also results in

www.wjert.org 68
 Yekinni et al. World Journal of Engineering Research and
Technology

bruising and serious injury to the human fingers, coupled with low productivity (Nkakini, et
al., 2007).

It is expedient that small and medium scale farmers in Nigeria have a satisfactory, cheap and
effective means of mechanized melon shelling technique. However, their exist different
forms and types of melon shellers according to the source of power which can be classified
as, manually, electrically powered or fuel-driven melon shellers. Several researchers have
reported the result of investigating the development and use of mechanical systems to address
the problems associated with the traditional methods of shelling. Also, substantial research
work has been carried out on mechanical melon devices to ease the shelling operation.

Fashina, (1971) constructed a melon seed shelling machine which works on the principle of
bending by feeding seeds through sets of rollers having ridges on their surfaces. Odigboh,
(1979) designed an impact egusi shelling machine that works on the principle of centrifugal
impact force from spinning disc. Also, Fadamoro, (1999) constructed a manually operated
melon sheller that works by frictional forces between rotating and stationary discs. Melon
shelling by extrusion method was discovered by Obienwe, (2002). Several other
mechanically operated melon shelling machines have been developed by Rotimi, (2006);
Babale, (1988); Adedoyin, (2015); Adekunle et al., (2009). Reports have shown that most of
those machines were found to have low shelling efficiency and high seed damage.

However, factors affecting the shelling efficiency and percentage of seed damage include:
seed moisture content, crop variety and inclination or design configuration of beater (Fashina,
1971; Odigboh, 1979; Okokon et al., 2010).

Studies by Oloko and Agbetoye, (2006) showed that these machines have average yield rates
not more than 30%. These low efficiencies according to Ebe et al., (2015) could be due to the
lack of process optimization (rotational speed of machine impeller, feed rate of melon seeds
during shelling, moisture content of seeds, and impact force of machine impeller) during the
operation. Therefore, the need to modify the existing melon shelling machine using impact
method for operation to obtain higher efficiency and more productivity becomes necessary.

www.wjert.org 69
 Yekinni et al. World Journal of Engineering Research and
Technology

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The modified melon shelling machine consists of four sections, which include: the hopper,
the shelling chamber, the prime mover and the separator. The hopper is made up of four
welded galvanized plate slanting towards an opening to form a trapezoidal cross section. It
has two openings. The larger upper opening is for discharging the unshelled melon seeds into
the shelling unit while the smaller lower opening connects the hopper to the shelling
chamber. The fabrication procedure consisted of marking of 155 mm x 600 mm dimension
for the larger upper opening and 12000 mm x 17000 mm dimension for the smaller lower
opening and a height of 150mm. The marked sheets were cut and the plates were then welded
to form the trapezoidal shape.

The shelling chambers consist of shelling drum, shelling disc, chamber cover and outlet
throat. The shelling drum is designed from mild steel sheet metal and lined internally with
rod of 3 mm thickness at an interval of 10 mm distance through the diameter. It is designed
such that the melon can hit the rods of the shelling drum in order to cause the breakage of the
chaffs.t the shelling disc is designed with impeller blades (vanes) at an angle 45 o in order to
make the melon seeds collide with the rough body of the shelling drum to allow for the
breakage of the chaff. The outlet throat is designed from mild steel of 1900 mm x 1200 mm
and 3200 mm in length and inclined at an angle so that the shelled melon seed can easily
come out with gravitational support.

The prime mover is made up of a 0.75 KW electric motor of 1400 rpm to give a velocity of
5.87 m/s. The motor has a pulley diameter of 80 mm linked with a V- belt to a pulley of
diameter 160 mm to give a speed reduction of 700 rpm.

The separating unit consists of a separator case made of 2 mm thick mild steel of 205 mm x
106 mm and 106 mm x 107 mm for the outer and inner section respectively with a height of
108 mm and a compartmentalized collector inserted in the separator case. An axial suction
fan of 1950 rpm and 290 mm blade diameter was selected to blow off the chaff. The blower
is encased in a box of 503 mm x 503 mm x 608 mm. The separating unit has a case cover to
prevent littering of shelled melon and chaff to the environment.

www.wjert.org 70
 Yekinni et al. World Journal of Engineering Research and
Technology

When each of the components has been fabricated, the components were welded to the
shelling chamber which consists of the shaft and the shelling disc with vanes. The hopper
being at the top while the outlet throat is located at the front of the shelling chamber. The
assembly was then fitted by bolt and nut to the support frame which in turn is fitted to the
bench support made of the materials used in the fabrication are readily available, cost
effective and possess the required physical and mechanical properties. Activities performed
during fabrication of the machine include: marking out, folding, bending, welding, drilling,
turning and fittings.

Design Considerations
A machine should be technically correct and operated as predicted and also be capable of
performing the purpose of the proposed application. It is however important that a melon
sheller should also satisfy process requirement throughout its service life and incorporate the
design features of durability and hygiene. The following factors were also considered in the
design of the melon seed sheller: (i) availability of raw materials for construction;
(ii) physical and mechanical properties of the material; (iii) cost effectiveness (iv) power
requirement; (iv) ease of fabrication, assembling and dismantling.

Design Analysis
Design and selection of materials for this machine is significantly influenced by the
properties of melon seed (Davies, 2010; Sobowale et al., 2015). Proper and adequate
considerations were given to the design for the capacity and size of the machine, power
requirement, speed of the pulley, length of the belt, pulley and belt size, diameter of the shaft
and electric motor specifications.

Hopper capacity
The cross-section of the hopper looks like frustrum of a pyramid,
According to Moise, (1967),

Volume of frustrum of a pyramid (V) = h (1)

Where,
B= the area of large base = 84,000 mm2, B1 = the area of small base = 20,000 mm2, h =
altitude of the frustrum = 210 mm, therefore, V= 7.6 x 106mm3.

www.wjert.org 71
 Yekinni et al. World Journal of Engineering Research and
Technology

Pulley size
According to Ringin, (1982)
N1D1 = N2D2 (2)
where, N1 = speed of driving pulley = 1400 rpm, N 2 = speed of driven pulley = 700 rpm, D 1 =
diameter of driving pulley = 80mm (0.08 m), D 2 = diameter of driven pulley, calculated as
160mm (0.16 m)

Belt speed

V= (3)

= 5.87 m/s

Belt length
According to Khurmi and Gupta, (2005), the belt length is determined by equation 4a
+
L = 2C + (4a)

And the centre to centre distance between driving pulley and driven pulley is given by
equation 4b

C= (4b)

L = Length of Belt, D2 = Diameter of Pulley on Shaft, D 1 = Diameter of Pulley on Electric

Motor C = Centre Distance Between Pulleys.
Thus,

C= = 200 mm

+
Therefore, L = 2(200) + = 777.1 mm,

From table 1, the nearest standard belt length of 823 mm is chosen since the power rating is 1
hp (746 Watts).
That is, A 823 – IS: 2494 belt

www.wjert.org 72
 Yekinni et al. World Journal of Engineering Research and
Technology

Wrapping angle (α)

Using equation 5 the angle of wrap (α) was calculated as follows:

Sin α = (5)

Where:
R = 80 mm, r = 40 mm and C = 200 mm,
Thus,

Sin α = = 0.2
α = 11.54o

Belt tension
The cross-sectional area of the belt is obtainable from table 2. Check for belt A 823 – IS:
2494.

The top width (b) is 13 mm while the thickness is 8 mm.

The groove angle 2β is 32o from table 2. From trigonometry, other two angles are 74o each.

The belt cross-sectional area is obtained from the area of trapezium,

A= (6)

Where, a = 8.42mm from trigonometric ratio with α = 11.54o, b = 13mm and h = 8mm Belt
cross-sectional area is then calculated as 85.68 mm2

Also, from table 1, Weight per unit length = 1.06 N/m, therefore, F = 0.88 N for 823 mm belt
length (i.e., 1.06N/m x 0.823m)

Where m = 0.09 kg if g = 10 m/s2, from F= mg

T1 = T - T c (7)

www.wjert.org 73
 Yekinni et al. World Journal of Engineering Research and
Technology

Where T1 = tension in the tight side and Tc = Centrifugal tension

Tc = mv2 = 3.07N (8)

Where, T = maximum tension in belt

T = 309.5 N

Therefore, T1 = 306.4N

To calculate T2 (tension in the slack side of belt)

2.31log = µθcosecβ (9)

Where, µ = 0.02 from F = µR, θ = 180 - 2α = 180 – 2(11.54) = 156.92o = 2.74rad.

2β = 32o from table 2, therefore, β = 16o

2.31log
T2 = 254.4N

Torque, T =

Where, P = 1hp = 746 Watts

Torque, T = 10.175 Nm

Bending moment, M = =

Te (equivalent twisting moment) = (10) Te

= 565.26Nm

Shaft Diameter

d= where, Ss = shear stress (11)

Taking allowable shear stress of steel (Ss) = 100MPa (Khurmi and Gupta, 2005) Therefore,
d = 8 mm = 0.008 m

www.wjert.org 74
 Yekinni et al. World Journal of Engineering Research and
Technology

Since the diameter used is based on allowable shear stress, it can therefore withstand twist.
By selecting a shaft of 16mm for the fabrication,

The torque is calculated to be 8Nm

Transmitted Power, P

P= , (12)

P = 586.4 Watts which is less than the 1hp used

This justifies for the 16 mm shaft used.

Table 1: Dimensions of standard V-belts according to IS: 2494-1974.

Power Minimum pitch Top Weight per
Type Thickness
ranges in diameter of pulley width (b) metre length in
of belt (t) mm
KW (D) mm mm Newton
A 0.7 – 3.5 75 13 8 1.06
B 2 – 15 125 17 11 1.89
C 7.5 – 75 200 22 14 3.43
D 20 – 150 355 32 19 5.96
E 30 – 350 500 38 23 -

Table 2: Dimensions of standard V-grooved pulleys according to IS: 2494-1974.

Type of No of grooves Groove angle (2β) in
w d a c f e
belt (n) degrees
A 11 12 3.3 8.7 10 15 6 32, 34, 38
B 14 15 4.2 10.8 12.5 19 9 32, 34, 38
C 19 20 5.7 14.3 17 25.5 14 34, 36, 38
D 27 28 8.1 19.9 24 37 14 34, 36, 38
E 32 33 9.6 23.4 29 44.5 20 -
Note: Face width (B) = (n – 1) e + 2f
Source: (Purohit and Sharma, 2003)

Terminal Velocity
Pneumatic separation of melon involves the separation of coating seed from the melon seed
with the aid of air stream. The design of fan for effective separation takes advantage of the
variation in the aerodynamic properties of the coating and the melon seed. The fan speed is
regulated greater than the terminal velocity of the coating and less than that of the seed. The
air is made to pass through the falling shelled seed to blow off the coating while the seed falls

www.wjert.org 75
 Yekinni et al. World Journal of Engineering Research and
Technology

by gravity into the collector. A blowing fan of 1950 rpm and 290 mm blade diameter was
selected. The terminal velocity of the shelled seeds and chaff was determined using equation
13 as follows:

Mg = P A (13)

Where:
M = mass of the object (kg) g
=gravitational acceleration (m/s2)
Cd = drag coefficient p = air
density (kg/m3) A = projected area
(m2)
Vt = terminal velocity (m/s)
(Mohsenin, 1970)

Principle of operation
Unshelled melon seeds are fed into the machine through the hopper which open directly into
the impeller blade of the shelling unit. The machine works based on the impact energy
absorbed by the seed and a rough surface stationary wall of the shelling unit. The shelling
disc has a pulley-belt arrangement from which it is driven by a motor and can also be hand
driven. It is thus manually operated by a handle or an electric motor. The collision causes the
cracking and removal of the seed coat. The cracked and chaffs pass through the outlet throat
into the separating unit where the chaffs are blown off while shelled melon seed come out
with gravitational support.

Figures 1, 2 and 3 show the orthographic projection, exploded view and isomeric view of the
machine respectively while figure 4 shows the photograph of the fabricated machine.

www.wjert.org 76
 Yekinni et al. World Journal of Engineering Research and
Technology

Figure 1: Orthographic projection.

Figure 2: Exploded View.

www.wjert.org 77
 Yekinni et al. World Journal of Engineering Research and
Technology

Figure 3: Isometric View.

Figure 4: Photograph of the Shelling/Separating Machine.

Evaluation method
The performance evaluation was carried out using the fabricated machine to shell the Serewe
type of melon in both dry and wet conditions. For the dry condition, the melon was weighed
using a digital weighing balance and then shelled and reweighed after shelling to know the

www.wjert.org 78
 Yekinni et al. World Journal of Engineering Research and
Technology

weight of the shelled and unshelled, broken shelled and broken unshelled. The same
procedure was repeated for the wet condition after the melon was moisturized for about
twenty minutes and the optimum moisture content was determined. The shelled melon and
the chaff was dried and fed to the separating unit and the optimum number of times needed to
be fed was determined.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION Dry condition

Mass of dry melon = 125g
Mass of completely shelled melon = 5g
Mass of broken shelled = 45g
Mass of unshelled = 20g
Mass of broken unshelled = 0
Mass of chaff = 55g
Total mass after chaff separation = 70g

Efficiency in terms of complete shelling =

Shelling efficiency =

Shelling efficiency =

Wet condition
Mass of melon = 140g
Mass of melon when moisturised = 170g
Moisture content = 30g = 17.6%
Total mass after shelling and separation of chaff = 75g
Mass of completely shelled melon = 45g
Mass of broken shelled = 20g
Mass of unshelled = 10g
Mass of broken unshelled = 0
Mass of chaff = 65g

www.wjert.org 79
 Yekinni et al. World Journal of Engineering Research and
Technology

Efficiency in terms of complete shelling =

=
Shelling efficiency
=

Shelling efficiency =

DISCUSSION
The evaluation above shows that the melon should be shelled in the wet condition with
optimum moisture content of 17.6%. shelling efficiency without breakage for dry condition is
7.1% while that of wet condition gives 60%. Shelling efficiency including broken shelled at
the dry condition dives 71.4% while that of the wet condition gives 86.7%. Therefore, the
best result could only be obtained in the wet condition.

However, during the experimentation, it was discovered that the chaff separation is to be
carried out three times for optimum result.

CONCLUSION
A melon shelling machine which operates manually and by using an electric motor as its
prime mover has been designed. In addition, it has a separating unit which uses electrically
operated fan. It is safe, easy to operate and consume less operation time. Ergonomics has also
been put into consideration during the design and fabrication procedure. The materials used
are cheap and sourced locally. The machine can be used for domestic and commercial
purposes to enhance the production and processing rate of melon.

REFERENCES
1. Achu M B, Fokou E, Tchiegang C, Fotso M and Tchouanguep F M “Nutritive Value of
Some Cucurbitaceae Oilseeds from Different Regions in Cameroon”, African Journal of
Biotechnology, 2005; 4: 1329-1334.
2. Adedoyin R A, Olatunde O B and Ponle E A “Design, Fabrication and Performance
Evaluation of Melon Shelling Machine”, International Journal of Research in Engineering
and Technology, 2015; 4(7): 78-82.

www.wjert.org 80
 Yekinni et al. World Journal of Engineering Research and
Technology

3. Adekunle A S, Ohijeagbon I O and Olusegun H D “Development and Performance

Evaluation of Manually and Motorized Operated Melon Shelling Machine Using Impact
Technique”, Journal of Engineering Science and Technology Review, 2009; 2: 12-17.
4. Aguayo E, Escalona V H and Artes E “Metabolic Behavior and Quality Changes of
Whole and Fresh Processed Melon”, Journal of Food Science, 2004; 69: 148-155.
5. Ajibola, O O., Eniyemo, S E. Fasina, O O. and Adeko K A. “Mechanical Extraction of
Oil from Melon Seeds”, Journal of Agricultural Research, 1990; 45(1).

6. Babale, M. “Fabrication of an Egusi Shelling Machine”, Agric. Engineering Dept.,

Samaru College of Agriculture, Zaria, Nigeria, 1988.
7. Bankole S A, Adenusi A A, Lawal O S and Adesanya O O “Occurrence of Aflatoxin B1
in Food Products Derivable from „Egusi‟ Melon Seeds Consumed in Southwestern
Nigeria”, Food Control, 2010; 21: 974-976.
8. Davies R M “Engineering Properties of Three Varieties of Melon Seeds as Potentials for
Development of Melon Processing Machines”, Advance Journal of Food Science and
Technology, 2010; 2: 63-66.
9. Egbe D E, Mayah T F, Ebot E G, Egbe P A and Abraham J P “Performance Evaluation
and Improvement on a Melon Seed Shelling Machine”, World Journal of Agricultural
Sciences and Engineering, 2015; 1: 1-10.
10. Fadamoro, I. “Design and Construction of a Manually Operated Melon Sheller”,
Mechanical Engineering Dept., University of Ilorin, Nigeria, 1999.
11. Fashina, A B. “The Design and Development of a Melon sheller”, Project for B.Sc.
Agriculture Hons. University of Ife, Nigeria, 1971.
12. James K M, Umogbai V and Itodo I N “Development and Evaluation of a Melon Shelling
and Cleaning Machine”, Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied
sciences, 2011; 2: 383-388.
13. Khurmi, R S and Gupta J K Theory of Machines. Eurasia Publishing House, New Delhi,
India, 2004.
14. Khurmi R S and Gupta J K A Textbook of Machine Design, Eurasia Publishing House
(PVT) Ltd, 2005.
15. Mohsenin, N N the Properties of Plant and Animals Materials. Gordon and Breach. New
York, 1970.
16. Moise E E Geometry, Secondary Mathematics Series, Addison Wesley Publisher, 1967;

www.wjert.org 81
 Yekinni et al. World Journal of Engineering Research and
Technology

48.
17. Nkakini S O, Ayotamuno M J, Maeba G P D, Ogaji S O T and Probert S D “Manually
Powered Continuous Flow Maize Sheller”, Applied Energy, 2007; 84: 1175-86.
18. Norton, G. “Guna Seed Analysis” Applied Biochemistry and Food Science Dept. The
University of Nottingham, UK, 1993.
19. Nwakire J N, Ugwuishiwu B O and Ohagwu C J “Design, Construction and Performance
Analysis of a Maize Thresher for Rural Dweller”, Nigerian Journal of Technology, 2011;
30: 49-51.

20. Obienwe, D S. “Design, Construction and Testing of an Electrically Powered Melon

Sheller”, M. Eng. thesis. Department Mechanical Engineering University of Ilorin,
Nigeria, 2002.
21. Odigboh, E U. “Impact Egusi Shelling Machine”, Transaction of the ASAE, 1979; 22(5):
1264-1269.
22. Ogbe, A O. and George, G A L. “Nutritional and Anti-Nutrient Composition of Melon
Husks: Potential as Feed Ingredient in Poultry Diet. Research”, Journal of Chemical
Sciences, 2012; 2: 35-39.
23. Ogbonna P E and Obi I U “Performance of Genotypes in Crosses of Egusi Melon”,
Journal of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Extension, 2007; 6: 1-8.
24. Okokon, F B., Ekpenyong E, Nwaukwa, C, Akpan N. and Abam F I “Analysis of the
Impact Forces on Melon Seeds During Shelling”, CIGR Journal, manuscript, 2010; 1276.
25. Olaniyi J O “Growth and Seed Yield Response of Egusi Melon to Nitrogen and
Phosphorus Fertilizers Application”, American-Eurasian Journal of Sustainable
Agriculture, 2008; 2: 255-260.
26. Oloko S and Agbetoye L “Development and Performance Evaluation of a Melon
Depodding Machine”, Agricultural Engineering International: the CIGR E-journal.
Manuscript PM, 2006; 18(VIII).
27. Oloko S A., Agun, B J and Jimoh, A. “Design and Fabrication of Melon Washing
Machine”, World Journal of Biotechnology, 2002; 3: 481 – 486.
28. Omidiji, M O. “Tropical Cucurbitaceous Oil Plants of Nigeria. Vegetables for the Humid
Tropics”, A Newsletter and Annual Communication among Research Workers, 1997; 2:
37 – 39.

www.wjert.org 82
 Yekinni et al. World Journal of Engineering Research and
Technology

29. Pradhan R C, Naik S N, Bhatnagar N and Vijay V K “Design, Development and Testing
of Hand-Operated Decorticator for Jatropha fruit”, Applied Energy, 2010; 87: 762-768.
30. Purohit O and Sharma I S Design of Machine Elements, PHI Learning PVT Ltd, Delhi,
Easter Economy Edition, 2003; 381.
31. Ringin, A N. “Fabrication of an Egusi Shelling Machine”, Agric. Engineering Dept.
Samaru College of Agriculture, Zaria, Nigeria, 1982.
32. Rotimi, O O. “Design and Construction of Melon Shelling Machine”, B. Eng., Project
work, Mechanical Engineering Dept.University of Ilorin, Nigeria, 2006.
33. Sabo H, Sadou H, Amoukou I A, Alma M M, Sidikou R S, et al. “Determination and
Comparison of the Amino Acid Composition of Seventeen Lagenaria siceraria Varieties
and One Variety of Citrullus colocynthis seed flours”, Pakistan Journal of Nutrition,
2015; 14: 100-106.
34. Shittu S K and Ndrika V I O Development and Performance Tests of a Melon (Egusi)
Seed Shelling Machine, Agric Eng Int: CIGR Journal Open access at
http://www.cigrjournal.org, 2012; 14(1): 157- 164.
35. Sobowale S S, Adebiyi J A and Adebo O A “Design, Construction and Performance
Evaluation of a Melon Seeds Sheller”, Journal of Food Processing Technology, 2015;
6(7).

The development of human capital through education is an essential

pre-condition for a country's economic, political and socio-cultural
transformation.
Upon the inception of formal education in Nigeria, the aims of
education in Nigeria have been the origin of man for work and for life-
manpower
development. It has been observed that owing to the administrative

www.wjert.org 83
 Yekinni et al. World Journal of Engineering Research and
Technology

"bottle neck" which existed during the colonial era, the colonial master set
up education programme geared towards training of typists and clerks to
facilitate the administration of the districts colonies. This led to the
development of intellectual giants, talkative elites but technologically dwarf.
It is obvious that the early secondary schools were grammar schools
founded after the English system by the missionaries. No technical or
vocational schools were originally established. Education increasingly
came to be regarded as a means of avoiding manual work (Okoro, 1993).
In realization of the role played by vocational technical education in
technological advancement in developed countries of the world, and in
consolidation of the Ashby Commission Report of 1960 recommending
vocational training in all schools both primary and secondary, the Nigerian
government evolved a new system of education called the (6-3-3-4) in the
country in 1988.
The ever increasing level of unemployment and the resultant need to
provide youths with saleable skills that could make them enterprising and
self-reliant economically justify the introduction of technical and vocational
education into the new Nigerian education system. Technical and
Vocational Education, according to the Federal Government of Nigeria
(FGN, 2004) is a comprehensive term referring to those aspects of the
educational process, involving, in addition to general education, the study
of technologies and related sciences and the acquisition of practical skills,
Thus, technical and vocational education enable youths to obtain practical
based training in a wide range of technical courses, trades and
occupations so that on completion, they can either take up paid
employment in any establishment or start their own businesses and
employ others. One lucrative area where technical education graduates
particularly those in the mechanical coursesltrades can easily establish
their own enterprise is in the design and construction of tools and
machines.
It is worthy to note that from the primitive era to the contemporary,
man has always been confronted with the need for well designed tools and
machines that will make his life more comfortable and more convenient.
Design is essentially a process of inventing or planning physical things,
which display a new organization or form in response to some function
(Lindbeck, 1990). Yan (1998) posited that the term "design" is derived from
the Latin word "designer" meaning to work out and that designing therefore
mean the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch,
outline or plan). According to Bamiro, Nurudeen and Akuru (1986), design
also means the drawing or plan from which something may be made. They
explained that the design of a product contains all the descriptive features
essential for producing the product to specification. This position is shared
by Nwachukwu (2001) who maintained that design is the graphic
representation of ideas and concepts aimed at a follow-up development

www.wjert.org 84
 Yekinni et al. World Journal of Engineering Research and
Technology

through the process of construction.

According to Yan (1998), construction is the act of building structure
with many parts. Halpin and Riggs (1992) noted that construction makes
possible the development of design and that it involves the combination of
different kinds of material resources such as financial and human
resources which may include skilled and unskilled labour like engineers,
technicians and labourers. Construction, in the context of this study, is
synonymous with fabrication, which means the making of an object or
equipment from various different materials. They pointed out that the
construction or fabrication of an equipment involves a lot of activities and
operations such as measuring, making out, cutting and joining of the
different parts through such process as welding, soldering, brazing, riveting
and the use of bolts and nuts, screws and studs. They added that it also
involve the use of many tools and machines.
Recent advances in technology has led to the development of many
simple and sophisticated machines that perform almost all the activities
that were hitherto carried out by man through his muscle power or through
animal power and some natural phenomena such as fire, wind and tides.
According to Wilken (1999) a machine is any mechanical or electrical
device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the
performance of tasks. Awe and Okunola (1984) view a machine as any
device, system or arrangement, which enables work to be done more
easily and more quickly. Pytlik, Lauda and Johnson (1985) defined a
machine as an object that modifies the force applied to it by a human, an
animal or another machine. They explained that the modification is in the
form of a change of direction or an increase in the force applied to an
object, allowing the human to do things helshe was unable to do using only
human or animal strength. Their position is shared by Wilken (1999) who
maintained that a machine usually requires an input as a trigger and that it
transmits the modified energy to an output, which performs the desired
task. In other words, a machine multiplies the small force applied to it
several times to a much bigger force in order to do the required work
(Elekwa, Bamiro, Oluyide, Layode, Nurudeen, Akum and Olopade, 1994).
They noted that for this reason, a machine is often described as a force
multiplier.
A lot of machines are being used nowadays in agriculture.
Akinsanmi (1982) classified agricultural machines into six main groups
based on their functions. These are tillage machines, cultivating machines,
fertilizing machines, spraying machines, harvesting machines and
processing machines or equipment. All these classes of agricultural
machines are very important because their use improves agricultural
production and make it more productive and more efficient (Benjamin,
1999). Of more importance and more relevance to this study are the
processing machines. According to the Science Teachers Association of

www.wjert.org 85
 Yekinni et al. World Journal of Engineering Research and
Technology

Nigeria (STAN) (1991), the processing machines or equipment are those

equipment or machines used for processing harvested food crops into
forms that they could be readily consumed, sold or stored for future
cultivation. They maintained that without adequate and functional
agricultural processing machines, many harvested food crops may become
spoilt while awaiting processing by hand. STAN (1991) further listed the
following as common agricultural processing machines used in Nigeria:
grinding or milling machines, mixers, Shellers, Hullers and Ginnery. Other
examples of agricultural processing machines locally fabricated by metal
workers in Nigeria as reported by Udoudo (1990) includes kernel crackers,
cassava mills, palm fruit digesters, palm oil press, cassava press and
maize grinders. Infact, agricultural literature is replete with articles on
several machines for processing various crops cultivated in Nigeria such
as oil palm, maize, cotton, rice, groundnuts and beans. It is however not
common to find machines (and literature on them) for processing several
other crops grown in Nigeria particularly melon.
According to Falusi and Adeleye (1 998), melon (Citrullus Vulgaris) is
a common vegetable crop widely cultivated in Nigeria. Oni (2005) stated
that melon is a legume crop, which can add nitrogen to the soil through the
process of nitrogen fixation. Oni added that melon has the capacity of
preventing or controlling the growth of weeds on the farm and that it is
planted twice in a year: during the rainy season and dry season. Falusi and
Adeleye (1998) noted that melon seeds are very useful for soup
preparation and that they are the major ingredients of the popular delicacy
called 'egusi' soup. Uzuegbu (1993) maintained that apart from being a
soup thickener, melon seeds are very good sources of vegetable oil. Melon
seeds are also used for the preparation of melon cake, which apart from
being a popular delicacy for man, also serve as livestock feed (Akinsanmi,
1 982).
It is worthy to note that before melon seeds are used for the
preparation of soup or melon cake, the seed has to be peeled to remove
the seed coat or shell. In other words, the processing of melon seeds ends
in the seeds being peeled and separating them from the seed coats or
shells. It is a well known fact that it takes several hours to peel a cup of
melon by hand. Although there are several designs of melon peeling
machines (or melon peelers) in existence, they are very expensive hence
they cannot be conveniently afforded by many local melon farmers in
Nigeria. For instance, Univex melon peeler manufactured by Restaurant
Equipment World Incorporated, United Stated of America is sold at
$863.50 which is approximately N93,680.00 (Restaurant Equipment World,
2002). It is also observed that present designs of melon peeling machines
are relatively more sophisticated and heavy as such they cannot be carried
about. In addition, existing designs of melon peeling machines do not have
a mechanism for separating the seeds from the shells or seed coats after

www.wjert.org 86
 Yekinni et al. World Journal of Engineering Research and
Technology

peeling.
Lindbeck (1990) pointed out that the design and construction of any
product gradually changes with time as man's technical knowledge and
aesthetics requirement changes. He added that contemporary designs of
every product evolve from past forms and styles as man continually
develop new ideas, techniques and materials. He pointed out, for instance,
that the first set of tools was made of stones, wood and animal skin and
bones. Later on, metals were used when they were later discovered. Thus,
as man continues to develop new techniques, materials and ideas, he was
able to evolve better designs of tools and machines, which meet his
contemporary needs. Lindbeck (1990) therefore defined a contemporary
design of a product as the one, which is planned and developed to meet
the needs of contemporary human existence. Lindbeck further stressed
that design always begin with a need and that the product is the device for
satisfying that need. This fact is supported by Halpin and Riggs (1992)
who stated that an engineering design is the recognition and
understanding of basic need and the creation of a system to satisfy that
needs.
STAN (1991) emphasized that the use of adequate machines in
agriculture has the advantage of reducing the hard work and drudgery
always associated with farm work, reducing production cost and farm
hazards as well as improving the quality of product through better
processing equipment. This position is shared by Falusi and Adeleye
(1998) and Benjamin (1999). Benjamin specifically noted that since
muscular strength alone could never suffice to accomplish all the tasks that
man has to do, it has become necessary to use simple and sophisticated
energy saving tools and machines in order to increase the productivity,
reduce labour and increase capital. He stressed that the productivity of
agriculture could be substantially increased by the use of energy saving
tools and machines. Against this backdrop, there is a compelling need for
a contemporary design of a melon peeling and separating machine that will
satisfy the need of contemporary human existence and at the same time,
lead to a substantial improvement in agricultural productivity.
Besides, this will provide ample opportunity for Technical and
Vocational Education students to increase their knowledge and skills in the
design and construction of tools and machines.

www.wjert.org 87