Universal Nut Sheller

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

The Full Belly Project sells the product to co-ops in Zambia and trains the producers on how to assemble, operate, and maintain the machine.

Manufacturing/Building Method

Mass produced by manufacturers that end-users partner with, or individually produced with the instructions/kits provided by The Full Belly Project ^{Interview with representative}

Intellectural Property Type

Open Source

User Provision Model

Details of design, construction and training along with basic materials can be purchased from The Full Belly Project. ^{Interview with representative}

Distributions to Date Status

As of 2017, 8 units were sold to families in Zambia, and 105 units were built by the Full Belly Project.

Design Specifications

The Universal Nut Sheller is made using a mold made of plastic, wood, and metal bolts. The mold is assembled and a mixture of concrete and sand is poured into the mold to create an inner and outer concrete cone. A metal bracket is attached to the outer cone and the inner cone is placed inside with a metal rod. A metal crank is attached to the rod and bracket. Nuts are poured between the inner and outer cones and the crank is turned to press the nuts between the cones to split open the shell. The nuts and shells are deposited out of the bottom of the sheller. The sheller can be adjusted allow for bigger or smaller nuts. Additional machines such as a modified bike or motor can be attached to the crank for more power.

Technical Support

Customers can receive support by contacting The Full Belly Project. ^{Interview with representative}

Replacement Components

The customer is responsible for creating replacement components using the construction kit supplied by The Full Belly Project or the instructions found in online manuals. The customer can also build a relationship with a local manufacturer whom they can contact to replace components. ^{Interview with representative}

Lifecycle

The device is expected to last 20-25 years after which it should be dismantled and parts can be recycled ^{Interview with representative}

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

The manufacturer specifies that the sheller can shell peanuts at a rate of 50 kg/hr and that the sheller can shell any round nut.

Vetted Performance Status

Unknown

Safety

Care must be taken to inform users of the dangers of cross-contamination between peanuts and biofuels. Since customers are capable of adapting the design, danger occurs if local materials are mixed with the concrete since it will make them weaker. ^{Interview with representative}

Complementary Technical Systems

Customers will sometime adapt the designs of the product to accomodate electric and petal power to increase production capacity. ^{Interview with representative} The Pedal Powered Agricultural Center (PPAC) can be added onto the Universal Nut Sheller to increase the amount of peanuts that can be shelled from 50 to 90 kg/hr.

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

Unknown

Other Information

The Universal Nut Sheller has won the 2008 Purpose Prize, the 2006 Breakthrough Award, and the 2006 Ideas Award.