Browsing by Author "Krishantha, RPP"

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item: Conference-Abstract
Design and development of a machine for selective plucking of tea or similar items
(2006) Krishantha, RPP; Fernando, MARV
First stage of Tea manufacture is plucking. This may be done in two ways, "Pluck and select" OR "Select and pluck - called selective plucking". First method can use simple machines, such as grass trimmers even, and impurities such as stork, matured leaves etc are removed later. This method is suitable only for lower grades of tea and also causes damage to plant and reduces growth and yield. While first method is used in certain countries such a Kenya, Japan etc., Sri Lanka being the HIGHEST quality tea manufacturer in the world, invariably use "Selective plucking" due to its many advantages. However this at present is a completely manual process and is responsible for a substantial portion of the cost of tea manufacture. Problem is further aggravated by the pluckers leaving this job due to strenuous nature and the low social status attached to it. Plantation sector thus is now finding it very difficult to retain pluckers, particularly with younger generation, and payment rates are also continuously increasing.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Design of selective tea plucking machine
(3/28/2011) Krishantha, RPP; Fernando, MARV
This thesis focuses on the research project is "Selective Tea Plucking Machine". /According to my literature survey I have found that Tea plucking machines are designed in many countries but they are designed only for plucking and selecting method. These machines are very large and expensive. It is used only for flat land. However this at present is a completely manual process and is responsible for a substantial portion of the cost of tea manufacture./ In manual plucking, plucking tea leaves are retained between fingers till reasonable amount of leaves are collected. Then 'holding between fingers' often cause some degree of crushing leading to commencement of premature fermentation. Therefore quality will be reduced. Thus it has become essential to mechanize this process to improve productivity, yet retaining the high quality and accuracy of selective plucking. Due to above technical and financial restrictions facing with research as well as depth of expected research study to be performed by using own methods to design low cost and portable machine. In this context is carried out considering selective plucking method. Further, considering the ergonomics aspects are essential for this design, it is useful to operate this machine without fatigue. It is based on less weight of the machine, holding and bag (container) arrangement. It is understood that the given detailed of the cutting mechanism and the tea leaves are transported to the bag (container) with suitable convey system. This report contains literature survey, field test, design details, and economic feasibilities.