Dual-Functional Onion Processor

Peeling and slicing onions is a time-consuming task in food preparation, often requiring separate machines for each step. This leads to additional time spent transferring the onions between machines and introduces inefficiencies in the workflow. However, the development of a dual-functional onion processor machine aims to address these challenges. By combining peeling and slicing functions into a single machine, it eliminates the need for separate machines and reduces the overall time and effort required. The automated system enables a continuous workflow, minimizing manual intervention and improving efficiency in onion processing. Overall, the novelty of the proposed machine lies in its innovative combination of peeling and slicing functions, resulting in improved efficiency, time savings, customization options, automation, and reliable performance for onion processing. The major components of the machine include a bench grinder, straight grinding wheel, vacuum cleaner, gear, rough sponge, PVC pipe, aluminum flat sheet, transparent Perspex, and a slicing unit. The performance of the machine in peeling and slicing was evaluated by comparing the time to complete the process between the manual process and the dual-function onion processor machine. According to the study, the machine that transferred the peeling of the onions to the slicing process produced a satisfactory result, as it could complete both processes within 10 min for 500 g of onions with 86% slicing efficiency, compared to a previous study that reported 94.74% slicing efficiency with 342 kg/h per slicing single process only.