C15-STUDIU PRIVIND TESTAREA ȘI EVALUAREA PERFORMANȚELOR UNUI PROTOTIP DE MAȘINĂ DE SPART NUCI
TESTING AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF A NUT-CRACKING MACHINE PROTOTYPE
Abstract: This study presents the design, construction and experimental testing nut-cracking machine prototype intended for household and small-scale farm applications (with emphasis on walnut, Juglans regia). The mechanical solution consists of a rotating cylindrical shaft and an adjustable reaction plate mounted inside a cracking chamber. A representative sample of one hundred walnuts was measured (dimensional statistics) and nine experimental trials were conducted with cracking gap settings between 26 mm and 41 mm; each test processed 1 000 g of nuts and categorized in fully cracked, partially cracked and intact kernels. Experimental analysis identified a narrow optimal gap range (≈30–31 mm) that maximizes intact-kernel yield. The prototype is suitable for household and small-scale farm use and can be further developed toward automation and higher productivity.
Keywords: nut-cracking machine, prototype, experimental testing, adjustment optimization, performance evaluation
Cuvinte cheie: mașină de spart nuci, prototip, testare experimentală, optimizare reglaj, evaluare performanță.
