What it does
This semi-automated pineapple peeler, corer, and cutter machine is designed to help SMEs reduce manual labour, processing time, and safety risks. It automates key steps to ensure consistent, efficient output and supports sustainable food processing practices.
Your inspiration
The idea to solve this problem came from observing the challenges faced by small food processing businesses in Malaysia, where pineapples are commonly processed manually. These traditional methods are time-consuming, inconsistent, and pose safety risks to workers. Inspired by the need for efficiency and safer operations, especially for SMEs lacking access to high-end automation, we aimed to create a low-cost, semi-automated solution. The concept evolved through market research, feedback from small processors, and identifying a gap between industrial machines and manual tools—leading to the development of a practical and scalable prototype.
How it works
First, the user inserts a pineapple into a rotating holder. As it turns, the fruit passes through two fixed blades that remove the top and bottom. Next, it enters a cylindrical section with a special blade that peels the skin and cuts out the core. A push mechanism releases the pineapple after peeling. Then, the fruit is pushed through slicing blades to create even slices. The machine uses gravity to guide the pineapple through each step. A DC motor rotates the holder, while a linear actuator controls the peeling blade’s movement. Both are managed by an Arduino board and operated using a single button. The frame is built using aluminum, and low-cost recycled materials were used for the prototype to reduce cost and allow easy adjustments. This design ensures consistent output, improves user safety, and is easy to maintain, making it ideal for small-scale food processing operations.
Design process
The design process began by identifying the challenges faced by small food processors who rely on manual pineapple cutting methods. After reviewing user needs through market surveys, we set out to design a cost-effective and semi-automated machine that could peel, core, and slice pineapples safely and efficiently. Initial sketches explored different layouts and mechanisms, and a vertical orientation was chosen for its compactness and gravity-assisted operation. We developed a CAD model to visualise the structure and simulate how each component would work together. The frame was built using 20 mm x 20 mm aluminum profiles for adjustability and corrosion resistance. For the first prototype, we repurposed components like butter knives for slicing blades and an existing kitchenware blade for peeling and coring. A DC gear motor was used to rotate the holder, and a linear actuator was added to automate the peeling motion. These were controlled using an Arduino and a push button for simple user input. During testing, we discovered issues such as the pineapple core not fully detaching and weak blade support. We added fixed datums to eject the fruit and improved the blade mounting. Each iteration focused on optimising material use, safety, and process flow.
How it is different
Our design stands out due to its vertical orientation, compact size, and integration of multiple pineapple processing steps into one continuous semi-automated flow. Unlike bulky industrial machines or simple manual tools, our prototype targets small businesses with limited budgets and space. It uniquely combines repurposed components such as modified kitchenware and recycled materials to reduce cost without compromising function. A single push-button system controlled by Arduino simplifies user interaction, making it accessible to non-technical users. The modular frame allows quick adjustments, and detachable panels enable easy cleaning. This blend of affordability, ease of use, sustainability, and user-focused design makes our machine highly practical and different from existing solutions that are either too expensive, too complex, or not fully integrated.
Future plans
In the future, we plan to refine the design by replacing prototype materials with food-grade stainless steel for real-world applications. We aim to improve the coring mechanism for complete core removal and enhance blade sharpness for cleaner cuts. Additional automation features, such as sensors for fruit detection and slicing precision, will be explored. We also hope to conduct field testing with local SMEs, gather user feedback, and iterate on the design. Ultimately, our goal is to develop a fully market-ready version that is affordable, hygienic, and efficient for small-scale food processors.
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