Design and fabrication of a semi-automated coco coir pot production machine for the local government unit of metro manila/
John Rogel B. Borela, Steven James M. Estebe, Shem John T. Escobal, Christian Lorenze T. Filomeno, and Yvan Kirshell C. Padernilla.--
- Manila: Technological University of the Philippines, 2025.
- xii, 154pages: 29cm.
Bachelor's thesis
College Of Engineering.--
Includes bibliographic references and index.
This study addresses the inefficiencies of traditional coco coir pot-making by developing a semi-automated machine for biodegradable planting containers. Designed for the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Manila, the machine aims to enhance productivity, improve pot quality, and reduce manual labor. It produces four coco coir pots every 15 minutes with consistent dimensions and structural integrity. Key variables such as coir mass, binder ratio, temperature, and molding time were optimized. The design integrates pneumatic cylinders, heated molds, a control system, and safety features. Evaluation included production efficiency, dimensional accuracy, material strength, economic performance, and ease of use. Physical and financial tests confirmed the machine produced high-quality pots averaging 87.33 mm top diameter, 60 mm bottom diameter, 87.67 mm height, and 3.33 mm wall thickness, with densities of 0.3543–0.5118 g/cm3 and shear strengths up to 1.703 MPa. The machine achieved a Benefit-Cost Ratio of 2.99 and an annual profit of ₱683,200.00. Compared to the previous model, it demonstrated double productivity and profit, offsetting its higher operating costs. These results confirm its viability for small-scale production, offering a sustainable, economically sound substitute to plastic pots while advocating for sustainable agriculture and coconut waste utilization.