Optimization of Green Tea Production Machine for Cottage Level SME

Abstract

Sri Lanka is the largest tea exporter and the fourth largest producer of tea in all over the world. But green tea manufacturing is functioning at a very low level with fewer production rates. Less knowledge of the production process and expensive machinery are the main reasons to the low production of green tea. The main objective of this project is to make a beneficial improvement in the local green tea industry. A single machine was developed to achieve this by the project team. Test results of the existing machine show areas which can be improved. This paper presents novel methods to improve and optimize production of the existed single machine. Main five processes of steaming, pan frying, rolling, drying and sorting" have been redesigned in the project using some of the existed parts. The new design that can generate required shape, colour, and odour. The fabricated compact machine able to process 15 kg per day, which makes economical help cottage level people. The success of the project, it will scale up to mass production that makes a huge direct influence on GDP, Sri Lanka.