sir,i am nandha pre- final year mechanical engineering student ,i requires materials about Fabrication of Tomato grader for my project so please send these materials to my E-mail gvnandhakumar97[at]gmail.com...thank you

fabrication of tomato grader

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INTRODUCTION
The Independent Service Provider is responsible for grading all contracted loads of tomatoes for processing.
Tomato grading was instituted at the request of the industry as a means of determining each grower’s load
payment and ensuring the quality of tomatoes delivered for processing. Since this service applies to both
growers and processors, it is of prime importance that the Independent Service Provider grading staff, as a
neutral third party, remain fair and unbiased in all cases. Uniformity of grade interpretation and the correct
handling of procedures are essential.
Each option has a predetermined pricing schedule for tomatoes, which comply with the quality standards.
The price for tomatoes is based on the level of juice colour in a blended sample as determined objectively by
an Agtron or LED colorimeter.
For all options, penalty factors are applied to the defective portion of each load and tare deductions are made
against the gross weight. If the defects exceed the prescribed tolerances, the processor may elect to reject the
load.
Grading tomatoes consists of the following components:
¾ Sampling the load
¾ Splitting the sample into 2 parts
¾ Blending a sub-sample and reading the colour in an Agtron or LED colorimeter
¾ Grading the second portion of the sample for defects according to the quality standards
¾ Recording the information into a computer system and onto a certificate
NOTE: It is imperative that every Grader be familiar with and follow the instructions contained in this
manual.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Grading staff should be aware of the following general instructions:
¾ Consult with your Crew Leader to determine your work schedule, i.e. number of hours per day, shift,
factory receiving hours, etc. Report to work promptly!
¾ Grade in an accurate and positive manner – hesitation on the part of the grader leads to a loss of
confidence in our grading by the industry.
¾ Keep the grading area and equipment clean and orderly.
¾ Report any accidents at work to your Group Leader immediately regardless of whether it is serious or
not.
¾ Explain the final grade to a grower or processor if requested but do not discuss subjects which are not
directly related to grading, e.g. cultural practices, Board or processor policies, calculation of load values,
etc.
¾ Refer any disputes, difficult questions or challenges on grade interpretation to your Group Leader.
¾ Report to your Group Leader any incidents of attempted intimidation or undue influence by a grower or
processor.
¾ Accepting gratuities, substance abuse, or other unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated and will be
considered just cause for immediate suspension or dismissal.
¾ Report to your Group Leader any situation that might place you in a conflict of interest, e.g. grading a
close relative/friend’s tomatoes or financial interest in a crop.
¾ The processor is responsible for providing washroom and first aid facilities – ask the processor for directions.
¾ Where possible, time your breaks around the normal ebb and flow of activity around the plant.
¾ ¾ There will be times when it is necessary to work in the rain – rain suits will be provided. You are
not expected to remain out on a flume during a severe electrical storm – invoke the Averaging
Provision if samples cannot be obtained safely (refer to the appeals section).
¾ Remain in the general grading area – stay clear of the processing plant and associated machinery and
activities.
Your personal safety is of major importance – report any potentially dangerous situations to your Group
Leader promptly – if you have reason to believe you are in immediate danger, retreat to a safe place – invoke
the By-Pass provision if the situation persists (refer to the appeals section).
GRADING EQUIPMENT
The grading equipment required for 1 complete set-up is listed as follows:
The Independent Service Provider’s Responsibility – (to set-up and ensure operable) (primarily portable
equipment)
¾ Sub-sampler – Unless Yuba City Sampler and/or mechanical table supplied by processor. Note: Yuba
City Samplers will be required at all processor locations - commencing with the 2004 season.
¾ Sunshine Grading Lamp (2)
¾ Dip Net
¾ Sample Buckets
¾ Blender
¾ Vacuum Pump
¾ Wire Mesh Sieve
¾ Ladle
¾ Vacuum Gauge
¾ Pipe Fittings (11 pieces)
¾ Extension Clamps (2)
¾ Frame Foot (2)
¾ Filter Flasks (2)
¾ Rubber Stoppers (2)
¾ Elbow Tubes (2)
¾ Rubber Tubing
¾ Agtron E-5M or UCD LED colorimeter
¾ Petri Dishes
¾ Plastic Trays
¾ Defect Buckets
¾ Bench Scales
¾ Knives
¾ Pocket Calculator
¾ Aprons
¾ Vacuum Line Filter
¾ Rain Suits
¾ Refractometer (B&S RFM90) – for optional soluble solids procedure
¾ Cloth Filters
¾ Distilled Water
¾ Plastic Spoons
¾ Equipment cleaning supplies (to clean equipment listed under The Independent Service Provider
responsibilities)
Processor’s Responsibility – (to set-up and ensure operable) (primarily fixed equipment)

¾ Enclosed grading platform/area
¾ Dedicated hydro service (constant power supply)
¾ Sink with running water
¾ Grading table – either manual or mechanical (see Appendix A for detailed specifications)
¾ Work bench
¾ Yuba City sampler – optional
¾ Safe access for sampling (platform if required)
¾ Yard lighting
¾ Dedicated telephone line
¾ Stable, sheltered environment for grading equipment (free from drafts, protection from direct sunlight)
¾ Heat source (for temperatures below 10ºC)
¾ Computer Printer – Equipment Requirements
¾ Grading station cleaning equipment and supplies (to clean station and surroundings, e.g. mop, broom,
hose with nozzle, cleaning solution.
The equipment used for the purpose of grading is very expensive. Therefore, every Grader must ensure that
during off-hours, the grading platform is either locked securely, or the equipment is safely stored. Report
any missing equipment to your Crew Leader or the Office immediately.
RECEIVING OF LOADS
The exact method of receiving loads of tomatoes may vary from plant to plant. The basic procedure will be
as follows:
¾ The grower drives his load up to the grading station.
¾ Double hook-ups will be treated as one load other than tomatoes for research purposes.
¾ Processors and growers are restricted from the grading area unless a request to enter is made to the
Independent Service Provider and permission is granted
¾ The processor is responsible for arranging delivery schedules – consult with the scale house operator
regarding the order of grading loads.
¾ A grower is entitled to a grade within 2 hours of his scheduled delivery time – schedules are often
delayed, so continue to grade the loads in their proper sequence. Try to stay caught up, even if unloading
is backed up.
¾ If a loaded load is re-scheduled by the processor for more than 8 hours past its original scheduled time,
the grower may choose to invoke the “Averaging Provision” (see Exemptions) or have a regular grade
conducted at the new time. [reference – Marketing agreement section 9(e)(iii)]
¾ In the event that loads are transferred from one processor to another, the sending processor must
complete a Form 2. The grader must have a copy of the Form 2 before the load can be graded.
SAMPLING
The Independent Service Provider grader must obtain samples. Under no circumstances should a processor
or grower select samples for grading.
There are 2 types of sampling procedures – wet sampling and dry sampling:
Wet Sampling (Available through the 2004 season)
True Bulk Loads
¾ In this procedure, bulk wagons are unloaded by flushing the tomatoes out with water
¾ Samples for grading are collected with a dip net as the tomatoes flow out of the wagon and before they
hit the flume – tomatoes in the flume have lost their identity and must not be selected.
¾ Where time permits, every effort must be made to draw samples from throughout the entire load –
however, at some locations, because of manpower limitations, samples may be taken from 1 spot in the
load, selection cards will be provided and they will determine the locations for dipping i.e. front or back
– your Group Leader will provide directions for the proper procedure at each plant.
¾ Any clinging vines or foreign matter caught in the dip net must be added to the sample for grading.
¾ The total sample size for grading will depend on the size of the load as follows:
¾ Standard Farm Wagons – a total of 50 lbs is required. Usually 25 lb pails are used to collect the samples.
This will mean dipping 2 x 25 lbs from the load. The two pails should be filled at the same time with
one pail designated for colour determination and the second for defect grading.
¾ Double Hook-Ups or Semi-Trailers – a total of 75 lbs is required. This will mean dipping 3 x 25 lb pails
from the load. Three pails should be filled at the same time with one pail designated for colour
determination and the other two for defect grading.
Dry Sampling – Yuba City Samplers
¾ Loads are sampled with hydraulic probes
¾ Core samples are taken out of the load mechanically and deposited into trays. The cone size should
accommodate a 50 lb sample for grading (approx. 25 lbs deposited into tray for each core sample).
¾ 2 cores per load are taken regardless of size (for double hook-ups, 1 probe per wagon)
¾ The Independent Service Provider grader operates the Yuba City sampler. Your Group Leader will
provide operating instructions, however, it is important to note that the grey sample tub must be swung
fully into place BEFORE releasing the jaws of the probe
¾ A Bulk Load Sample Chart is supplied to determine the sampling locations on the load. The chart
consists of 12 different cards; use them in sequence for each new load. THIS IS MANDATORY!
¾ Extreme care must be taken to ensure that the core sampler is not lowered down onto a cross-brace or
chain which is submerged in the load.
¾ For mechanical tables, each tray is gently dumped onto the conveyor belt.
¾ An adjustable divider on the mechanical table will split the sample into 2 parts – one part runs onto the
defect table and the balance is sub-sampled for colour determination.
¾ The divider must be set so that the appropriate sample size is provided for defect grading: 25 lbs.
¾ For manual tables, trays must be treated as follows:
¾ 2 core samples – dump an equal portion of each tray onto the grading table for defect grading – 25 lbs in
total is required – save the remainder for pouring through the sub-sampler.
NOTE: When obtaining a defect sample, the top half of the first sample obtained should be poured onto the
grading table while the bottom half (the opposite) of the second sample obtained is to be poured onto the
grading table.
SAMPLING AND GRADING PROCEDURE FOR SMALL VOLUME PROCESSORS (Available
through the 2004 season)
The following sampling and grading proposal is designed for processing locations where
¾ small volumes of tomatoes are processed on an hourly or daily basis
¾ loads are scheduled in groups
¾ all loads in a group are to be graded within a 4 to 5 hour time period
¾ grading to be performed during day and afternoon shifts only
Samples are to be obtained as outlined below by the Independent Service Provider. Under no circumstances
should a processor or grower select samples for grading.
All appeal grade provisions and grading exemptions will be applicable with the exception of the pre-grade
provision and are to be completed prior to the end of the grading shift.
Dry Sampling (Manually) (Available through the 2004 season)T
This method is to be used only where a Yuba City sampler is not available and small hourly or daily volumes
are being processed. A proper platform, meeting required safety regulations MUST be provided.
Specifications to be supplied by the Independent Service Provider.
¾ Random samples will be obtained by hand, by going down the outside edges of the wagon/trailer (corner
and/or sides)
¾ Samples will be taken from 2 spots per load regardless of size (for double hook-ups, 1 spot per
wagon/trailer)
¾ Selection cards will be provided to determine where the samples are to be taken from. This is
mandatory!
¾ The total sample size for grading will depend on the size of the load as follows:
· Standard Farm Wagons – a total of 50 lbs is required. Usually 25 lb pails are used to collect the
samples. This will mean obtaining 2 x 25 lbs from the load by hand. The two pails should be filled
at the same time with one pail designated for colour determination and the second for defect grading.
· Double Hook-Ups or Semi-Trailers – a total of 75 lbs is required. This will mean obtaining 3 x 25 lb
pails from the load by hand. Three pails should be filled at the same time with one pail designated
for colour determination and the other two for defect grading.
¾ Any vines or foreign matter obtained while collecting the sample must be added to the sample for
grading.
SUB-SAMPLING FOR COLOUR DETERMINATION
The procedures require that an 8.5 lb sub-sample is obtained for colour determination – the method is
dependent on the type of grading table used.
¾ It is absolutely essential that you remain neutral during the sub-sampling procedure – do not discriminate
in favour of red fruit or pale fruit – collect the samples in an unbiased manner.
Mechanical Table
¾ After the core samples are dumped on the conveyor belt, separation of the comminuted sample is done
automatically by the table.
¾ Firstly, the sample is split into 2 parts by a divider – one portion is carried on an graded for defects while
the second is further sub-sampled for colour determination.
¾ By means of a rotating drum, the table randomly selects tomatoes and deposits them in a tray or belt.
¾ ¾ The tray usually contains more than enough tomatoes and you may need to further sub-divide the
colour sample – make sure that a portion of all core samples is included in the final sample – mix the
final contents thoroughly and then randomly take the 8.5 lbs – discard the unused balance.