Submission of Project Proposal to Rural Technology Action Group-

Tamil Nadu (RuTAG-TN), IIT-Madras

For official use only

RuTAG Proposal no

Date of receipt

Part- I: General information

1. Project Title:

“Design and Development of Fully Automated Mechanized Vegetable Slicer / Cutter to Cut
Massive and All types of Vegetables into Desired Shape”

2. i. Name of Principal Investigator: Dr.P.Parandaman

M.E., Ph.D & Mechanical
Associated Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Dhirajlal Gandhi College of Technology

3. ii. Name of Co- Investigators : Dr.A.Selvaraj

M.E., Ph.D & Mechanical
Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Dhirajlal Gandhi College of Technology

Mr.C.Palani
M.E & Mechanical
Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Dhirajlal Gandhi College of Technology

4. Name of organization and address: Dhirajlal Gandhi College of Technology

Sikanampatty, Omalur,
Salem,
Tamil Nadu 636309.


Adapted from ‘Proforma for submission of project proposals under SEED division of DST’
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 5. a. Type of organization:

Academic Institution 
Research organization
S&T Council/ State established autonomous
organization
Voluntary/ Non-governmental organization
Professional/ Industry association
Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI)
Others (please specify)

b. Details of Collaborating Institutions in project (if any):

Name
Address
City
State

6. Duration (months): 24 months

7. Cost (Rs. in lakhs): Recurring 0.42 lakhs ; Non-recurring 1.1 lakhs

8. RuTAG project(s) undertaken in past (if any): Enter the most recent

Date of Final report

Duration Amount (Rs.
Sr.no Title of project completion/ submitted?
(months) In lakh)
Status (Yes/ No)

1. - - - - -

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 Part II: Proposal details

1. Project Title:

“Design and Development of Fully Automated Mechanized Vegetable Slicer / Cutter to Cut
Massive and All Types of Vegetables into Desired Shape”

2. Problem Statement:

a. Recent era of industrialization, automatic machines become an integral part of human

life. The automatic machines help to reduce the time needed to do a specific task. Present
days, human life becomes more competitive and faster than the previous. Manual cutting
may cause injuries and also May not able to attain uniform size. Automation brought
about by technology has saved human effort and time to a large extent. Slicing vegetables
are a risky and time-consuming task in our busy life. This project is aimed at solving
above stated problems by introducing a special product named Automatic Mechanized
Vegetable Slicer. This Slicer is mainly de-signed to reduce human effort and make the
job of chopping vegetables much easier and faster. Its main features are fully automated,
easily portable, less power consumption and changeable blade, etc.

b. i) preservation of tapioca, Canteens, Hotels and quick-frozen vegetable processing

factories, etc.,
ii) 25% of farmers and caterer.
c. The problem statements have been compiled from IITM RuTAG list of issues collected
from workshops with NGOs.
d. Chopping the tapioca is difficult to farmers who is cultivating and preserving huge
quantity in Salem and Dharmapuri district of Tamilnadu. Delay in food service due to
struggle while cutting of vegetables.

3. Review of status:

The existing research articles shows in this area, the manually operated cutting knife in
which the vegetables is placed on top of a sharp blade on the base frame of the machine and the
upper handle which also contain sharp blade is pressed down thereby slicing into chips. The
operator gets his hands injured when unloading, because some of the chips stocked in between the
sharp blades. This also consumes time because of the slow nature in unloading in order to avoid
injury. Designing and fabricating a mechanized vegetable slicer will reduce drudgery and
increase the rate and volume of slice at a particular time. As regard these, it is necessary to design
and construct a fully automatic mechanized vegetable slicing machine which will slice the raw
vegetables within a short period of time.
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4. Suggested solution provided in project:

In this work a hopper is used to feed the vegetable in bulk and it feed to the conveyor. It
has adjustable arrangement according to size of vegetable; it is not available in the existing
vegetable cutting machines. The conveyor has segment to arrange the vegetable to ease the
cutting with side wall of collapsible segmental arrangement. Vibrating arrangement is used to
segregate the vegetable arranged in manner, it is also introduced than the existing one.. There is a
square shape opening used for receiving the vegetable from the conveyor and its feed into the
cutting chamber. The reciprocating motion of the holding ram arrangement enters into the square
opening and it compresses the vegetable against rotating blades. Rotating blades are adjustable
and replaceable, the size and shape of the sliced or chopped vegetables can be changed based on
the different cutting blades. The vertical motor is used to rotate the blades and it is protected from
the water by seal casing. The blade container or casing is made up of stainless steel with leak
proof arrangement. The chopped vegetables are discharged through the opening due to centrifugal
force. During the chopping operation the conveyor will stop a while to feed the vegetable for the
next process. The automatic start and stop motor arrangement is facilitate to feed and un-feed the
vegetable in to the cutting chamber.

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5. Nature of project:

Scientific knowledge generation for future use in

product/ process development 
Development of new technology (only design) 
Modification/ upgradation of existing technology 
(only design)
Fabrication of prototype/ Lab scale testing (may
include field trials to get inputs) 
Scaling up of tested product/ process to get final
marketable deliverable
Pilot study/ Demonstration of final deliverable on
field
Dissemination of product
Training session/ Workshop

6. Objectives:

i. To improve efficiency of existing product by introducing Automation

ii. To analyse the quantity of vegetable to be chopped per hour.
iii. To conduct feedback survey among user segment to validate/ modify new product
iv. To obtain the uniform shape and size
v. To cut all type of vegetables in a single setup

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7. Methodology:

Objective I: To conduct feedback survey with users of farmer and catering service provider
a. The user group to be identified like farmers, catering service provider and Hostel mess,
canteen etc.
b. Prepare questionnaire survey.
c. Collect responses as feedback and analyze them.
d. Make recommendations for modifications.

Objective II: Design calculation and Detailed Drawing

a. The various forces and stress involve in the machines to be analyzed
b. The various parts to be designed based on the design calculation and detailed drawing to
be drawn.

Objective III: Material selection and Fabrication process:

a. The suitable material is to be selected for the fabrication work.

b. The fabrication work to be carried out into mechanical and electronic department.
c. In the mechanical department Hopper, conveyor system, Cutting chamber, Ram
mechanism and base to be fabricated.
d. In the electronic department LCD display and sensor units connected to the
microcontroller and the relays, motor to be connected.

Objective IV: Assembling and Testing

a. All the parts are to be assembled and testing to be carried out.

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 Year 1 (in months) Year 2 (in months)

Activity
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Design and
Development

Engineering
Drawing and
Modeling

Purchasing of Raw
material and

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Accessories
8. Timeline: project of 2 years duration is shown below.

Fabricating
Prototype

Testing

Correction
9. Target beneficiaries:

Farmers 
Artisans
Labourers 
Women 
Youth
Children
Economically weaker section
Physically challenged section
Industrial workers
Senior citizens
Others (please specify): hotels and food industry 

10. Expected benefits:

Nature of benefits Brief description

Drudgery reduction/ Ease of operation It is Portable and easy accessibility by un-skilled
person
Improvement in efficiency/ productivity It is design with automation, this yields more
sliced quantity with lesser time, It can accessible
by single person
Improved livelihood opportunities For farmers and caterer
Value addition The vegetables and dry Tapioca is preserved for
export and making flour whenever it is needed.
Cost reduction Reduce the labor cost due to automation
Social benefits Farmers and Caterer etc.,
Environmental/ CDM benefits It can used anywhere and anytime without any
hazards
Others (please specify) Since the blades are made by stainless steel, it is
prevent from corrosion and the chopped
vegetables are without contamination.

11. Institutions/ places where lab testing/ field testing will be carried out:

Lab testing at : Dhirajlal Gandhi College of Technology, Salem-636309.

Fabrication : In house Fabrication Division, DGCT, Salem-636309.
Field Testing : Omalur Village, Salem District.

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 12. Project Area details:

Project Area(s) (Rural/ Urban/ Semi-urban) Rural

Sikkanampatty Village,
Omalur Taluk
Address of project area(s)
Salem
Tamilnadu
Profile of area Hostel Mess and Canteen at Dhirajlal Gandhi
college of technology.

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 Part III- Budget details

1. Summary:

Budget (Rs. in lakhs)

Sr. no Item
Year 1 Year 2 Total
A Recurring
1. Manpower 0.1 0.1 0.2
2. Consumables 0.05 0.05 0.1
3. Travel 0.01 0.01 0.02
4. Demo/ Training 0 0 0
Programme
5. Contingencies 0.05 0.05 0.1
B Non- recurring
1. Permanent 0.4 0.2 0.6
equipment
2. Fabrication of 0.35 0.15 0.5
prototype
Grand total (A+B) 0.96 0.56 1.52
(The year indicates financial year)

2: Justifications:

A. Recurring:
a. Manpower:
Welder, Technical Assistant, machinist . - 0.2

b. Consumables:
Raw materials for fabrication,
cutting blade, belt conveyor, motor, fitting fasteners, etc. - 0.1

c. Travel:
Conveyance expanses to fabricating place. - 0.02

d. Contingencies:
Documentation, lab/field trials,
maintenance/servicing of equipment, incidental expenses, etc. - 0.1
-------------------
Total = 0.42

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 B. Non-recurring:

Permanent Equipment/ Prototype:

Sr.no Equipment/ item details Quantity Budget (Rs. in lakhs)

1. Hopper 1 0.2
2 Conveyor Pulley 2 0.02
3 Conveyor Belt 1 0.02
4 Cutting chamber 1 0.15
5 Cutter – Stainless steel 1 set 0.1
6 Motor 1 0.05
7 Ram Attachment 1 0.05
8 Sensors 4 0.02
9 Feed Back Control system 1 0.2
10 Adjustable Vertical Post 1 0.01
11 Base Plate 1 0.08
12 Others (Fasteners etc.,) - 0.2

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 Annexure-1
Proforma for Biodata of Investigator (P.I.)

A. Name : Dr.P.Parandaman
B. Date of Birth : 07.06.1975
C. Institution : Dhirajlal Gandhi College of Technology, Salem.
D. Academic and professional career:
Academic career:
Discipline / Year of
Course Institution University / Board
Specialization passing
Anna University ,
Ph.D MECH Anna University 2017
Chennai
Government College of Anna University ,
M.E CAD 2007
Engineering, Salem - 11 Chennai
Bharathiyar
Government College of
B.E MECH University, 2002
Technology, Coimbatore.
Coimbatore.

Professional career:

Name of the College Designation Total Period

S.No.
Dhirajlal Gandh College of Technology,
1. Associate Professor 6 months
Salem.
2 Years &
2. Paavai Engineering College, Namakkal. Assistant Professor
3 Months
3. 1 Year &
A V S Engineering College, Salem. Assistant Professor
10 Months
4. 5 Years &
Paavai Engineering College, Namakkal. Assistant Professor
2 Months
Sri Ranganathar Industries (P) LTD,
5. Q.C Engineer 7 Years
Coimbatore.

E. Award/Prize/Certificate etc. won by the investigator: Nil

F. Publication (Numbers only): Research Papers: 06

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 Annexure - III
Proforma for Biodata of Investigator (Co. I.)

A. Name : Dr.A.Selvaraj

B. Date of Birth : 25.04.1973

C. Institution : Dhirajlal Gandhi College of Technology

D. Academic and professional career:

Academic career (From Graduation to highest qualification level indicating subject and area of
specialization):

Year of
Degree & Branch Institution
Passed
Government College of Engineering under Madras
B.E (Mechanical Engineering) 1998
University, Chennai.
Government College of Engineering under Periyar
M.E (Computer Aided Design) 2000
University, Salem.
Ph.D (Mechanical
Engineering) Specialization Anna University, Chennai. 2013
with Tribology

Professional career:

Period
Concern Name Designation Nature of Work
From To
HoD
Dhirajlal Gandhi
Feb Till Date Professor / Teaching, Research and
College of
2015 Mechanical Dept. Consultancy Activities
Technology, Salem
Dean – R&D.
Sona College of Jan August Professor / Teaching, Research and
Technology, Salem 2010 2014 Mechanical Dept. Consultancy Activities

Sona College of Feb Dec Asst. Professor / Teaching, Research and

Technology, Salem 2004 2009 Mechanical Dept. Consultancy Activities

Sona College of August Jan Lecturer/ Teaching and Research

Technology, Salem 2000 2004 Mechanical Dept. Activities

Salem structural’s, May June Junior Design Design and Drafting of

Salem 1991 1994 Engineer Structural Truss works

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E. Award/Prize/Certificate etc. won by the investigator:

F. Publication (Numbers only)

Books: 03 ; Research Papers: ; Reports: ; General articles: ;

Patents: 01 ; Others (please specify):

G. (1) List of completed and ongoing projects:

Duration
Sr.no Title of Project Cost Funding agency
(From-To)
--- NIL ---

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 Annexure - III
Proforma for Biodata of Investigator (Co. I.)

A. Name : Mr.C.Palani
B. Date of Birth : 10.03.1975
C. Institution : Dhirajlal Gandhi College of Technology, Salem.
D. Academic and professional career:
Academic career:
Discipline / University / Year of
Course Institution
Specialization Board passing
Mahendra Engineering College,
Anna University ,
M.E CAD Mallasamuthiram, 2008
Chennai
Thiruchengode.
Adhiparasakthi Engineering Madras
B.E MECH College, Melmaruvathur, University, 1996
Chengalpet. Chennai

Professional career:

Name of the College Designation Total Period

S.No.
Dhirajlal Gandh College of Technology,
1. Assistant Professor 6 months
Salem.
P.S.V College of Engineering & Tech.,
2. Assistant Professor 4 Years
Krishnagiri
3. Er.P.M.C College of Engineering & 3 year &
Assistant Professor
Tech., Hosur 10 Months
4. Priyadharshini Engineering College,
Lecturer 11 Months
Vanityambadi.
Pandiyan Polytechnic Collège,
5. Lecturer 6 Years
Thirupattrur
Sri Mahalakshmi Engineering
6 Project Engineer 3 years
Industries, Chennai

E. Award/Prize/Certificate etc. won by the investigator: Nil

F. Publication (Numbers only): Research Papers: 01

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