Development Of An Impact Testing Machine

Abstract

Assessment of impact response of fruits and vegetables can produce significant results which could be used to predict subsequent damages suffered by these produce in transit. Using the concept that energy at impact is a function of the mass of the sample and the height of drop, an impact testing equipment was developed. Combining some basic engineering design considerations with other functional requirements, the developed machine has a platform for holding and releasing of samples, impact surface platform, a supporting stand, a column(adjustable), measuring tape(digital), a box for collecting the falling sample and a spring loaded slide for releasing the sample from the platform. The developed machine which is simple in operation has been used to determine impact damages in some agricultural produce such as cracking of eggs and potato bruising. The machine was used to subject potatoes to impact damage in a study to assess the stability of the produce under set conditions of temperature and relative humidities. The results showed that sound agria potato is more stable than the impacted. The results of the performance tests showed that the developed machine can collectively be used to conduct experiments in this area which hitherto has received little attention due to lack of instrumentation.