Title: The Design and Fabrication of a Horizontal Hand Baler
Authors: Kotingo Kelvin, Dio Ambakederemo Wenapere and Agonga Oyinbonogha Fred
Volume: 5
Issue: 10
Pages: 54-62
Publication Date: 2021/10/28//
Abstract:
The horizontal hand baler is a press machine used to make dry materials more compact by the application of steady force against the material placed in a forming box, from one end while the other end is fixed. Therefore, the design and construction of a manual baling machine for rectangular bales is studied and fabricated in this study. The materials used for the construction are handle, forming box, plunger, end plates and support frames. The bending moments, shear force, mass and density of the bales were calculated in the design calculations. The force required to push the compression plate is 600N while the density of the bale was found to be 187.5 kg/m3 . After design implementation of the baler, a performance tests carried out which showed that the baler met its design objectives by making bales of the required dimensions and density. The cost of production is cheaper when compared to foreign baler machines. The horizontal baler was produced at a cost of 28,100 naira. It was recommended that future designs should be made of plain carbon steel or toughened cast iron instead of wooden material due to vibration and pressure factors that may be encountered during its operations.