Caducio, Katherine G. <br/><br/>
Design and development of a semi-automated pelletizer machine using madre de agua, corn, and rice bran for piggery feeds production/ 
Katherine G. Caducio, Kyen Marthy M. Flores, Bunch Michael D. Legaspi, Danica G. Lerin, Joanna Marie C. Luison, and Josh Arvin C. Masilang.-- 
 - Manila:	  Technological University of the Philippines,	  2025. 
 - xi, 87pages:  29cm. 
<br/><br/> Bachelor's thesis<br/> 
<br/><br/>College Of Engineering.--<br/> 
<br/><br/>Includes bibliographic references and index. 
<br/><br/> This study focuses on the design and development of a semi-automated pelletizer<br/>machine that converts Madre de Agua, corn, and rice bran into piggery feeds. The project<br/><br/>aims to support small and medium-scale farmers by offering a cost-efficient and labor-<br/>saving alternative to commercial pellet feeds. The machine is composed of a heat chamber,<br/><br/>dispenser with load cell and linear actuator, grinder, and pelletizer, all managed by an<br/>Arduino Mega 2560 microcontroller. The automation system is designed to monitor<br/>temperature, weight, and motion in real time to ensure consistent pellet quality. By using<br/>natural and affordable ingredients, the machine also contributes to sustainable feed<br/>production practices. The design integrates local materials and off-the-shelf electronics to<br/>maintain low construction costs. Nutritional benefits from the selected ingredients support<br/>the dietary needs of grown and finisher pigs.<br/>The prototype was evaluated to determine whether it could operate efficiently while<br/>producing quality pellets suitable for piggery applications. Performance testing was carried<br/>out through three calibration trials to measure drying time, pellet output, moisture control,<br/>and sensor accuracy. The heat chamber consistently dried materials for an average of 20<br/>minutes, with a steady internal mixer rotating at 40 RPM. The load cell showed accurate<br/>weight readings within a ±31-gram margin, while the servo motor rotated the dispensing<br/>bucket close to the 90° target. The moisture sensor recorded final values between 11.8%<br/>and 12.2%, which falls within the acceptable pelletizing range of 10–14%. The pelletizer<br/>operated at a stable rate of 15 kg/hour across all tests, producing uniform and well-formed<br/>pellets. The Arduino-based control system reacted precisely in a second, proving quick and<br/>dependable automation. Overall, the prototype strongly met all working goals and<br/>demonstrated consistent production. The prototype can shorten feed production time,<br/>enhance feed attribute, and economical production with proper calibration. This proposal<br/>provides a feasible and replicable finding for the local livestock Farmer looking to improve<br/>their feed manufacturing procedures. Furthermore, this thesis serves as a cornerstone for<br/>forthcoming study on enhancing automated feed production systems in small-scale<br/>agriculture. 
<br/><br/><label>Subjects--Topical Terms: </label><br/>Arduino-based control system<br/>Arduino mega 2560 microcontroller<br/>Automation
<br/><br/><label>LC Class. No.: </label>BTH TK 147   / C33 2025