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.--

Bachelor's thesis

College Of Engineering.--
Bachelor of science in mechanical engineering: Technological University of the Philippines,
2025.

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.