Coconut Fiber Roll Machine Design in Cocosheet Production

Abstract

Coconut fiber is an agricultural waste that holds high economic value due to its natural fiber content, which can be utilized in various industries, such as furniture, automotive, textile, and environmentally friendly building materials. However, in many coconut-producing regions, the processing of coconut fiber is still carried out traditionally or manually, this takes a great deal of effort and time, and results in products that are inconsistent in terms of size and quality. One of the crucial stages in coconut fiber processing is the flattening and rolling of the fibers into sheet form. Therefore, an innovation in the form of a coconut fiber rolling machine is needed, designed to operate efficiently and effectively to improve the productivity and quality of coconut fiber products. This research aims to design a coconut fiber rolling machine design in cocosheet production capable of replacing manual processes with an integrated mechanical system. The machine design was conducted through technical and analytical approaches, including identifying user requirements, reviewing literature related to the working principles of rolling machines, analyzing mechanical elements (such as torque calculation, motor power, rotational speed, and power transmission), and selecting appropriate materials for the machine components. The main components of the machine consist of a frame, drive motor, transmission system using pulleys and V-belts, and two steel rollers that function to flatten the coconut fiber. Based on the design results, the technical specifications of the machine include the use of a ¾ HP electric motor, roller rotational speed of 48 rpm, and a roller working length of approximately 1410 mm. This machine can produce coconut fiber sheets that are more even and denser compared to the manual method. Furthermore, the use of this machine can significantly improve work efficiency, reduce production costs, and accelerate the processing time. With a simple construction and relatively affordable production costs, this machine is expected to be widely implemented by small and medium-sized enterprises in the coconut husk processing sector.