Abstract:
A simple automated device has been designed and constructed in order to
release a certain mass of small seeds or powdered materials. The device uses
a screwed axel rotating inside U shaped tube, which is fixed to the bottom of
the container to push the material cut of the container. This preliminary study
indicates that the device releases small seeds or powder materials with an
adjustable and constant rate with a higher accuracy. The weight of releasing
seeds or powder materials could be adjusted to any pre determined value
from 0 g to 5 kg (range of the load cell). As an example, it could release 50
g of chili powder in about 50 s with an accuracy of ±1 g. The efficiency of
the measuring mechanism could be increased by increasing the rotational
speed of the screw and vice versa. The accuracy of the measuring
mechanism could be increased by decreasing the pitch and depth of the
screw. The space between the screw and U shaped tube is another key factor,
which determines the efficiency and accuracy of the device. The constructed
device (screw dimensions: pitch = 8 mm, depth = 2 mm) could be used for
measuring any dry material with particle size less than 3 mm. This could be
modified and used for many applications ranging from small-scale shops to
large-scale industries. The accuracy and efficiency could be improved
further. The main advantage is that the device could be easily manufactured
locally at a low cost and it could be used in small industries which produce
packets of dry seeds or powder materials.
