Published Paper Details:

The response surface and contour plot was generated on computer screen in order to study the pictorial form of behavior of response variables using the prediction model equation as for overall effectiveness of separation. The mathematical model was evaluated for its adequacy by testing the grader for three samples with factors constant at above level (49 kg/min feedrate and 34.6% slope). The overall effectiveness of separation of grader was found to be 61.02 per cent with + 0.69 standard deviation. The corresponding average grading efficiency i.e. weight of fruits correctly graded out of total weight of fruits taken for grading was 88.20 per cent. This lower overall effectiveness of seeration and lower average grading efficiency can be attributed to the difference between the major and minor diameter of fruit (fruit being not perfectly spherical) ranging from zero to 5 mm and the orientation of fruit (either major diameter/minor diameter perpendicular to slope) while conveying within the diverging gap between two pipes of each pair, which caused the maxing of various grades of fruits.