This fruit crusher project is designed for less developed countries that do not have access to the technology that other countries have. It was designed with the use of local simple tools and scraps that would already have been acquired. It fulfills the need to crush fruit down for cooking and baking that would otherwise be a laborious task as well as a time consuming one. No previous designs have been found and commercial designs are found to be around $100.
Hacksaw (a tool to cut the threaded rod if needed)
2 7/16 Box End Wretches
Skills and knowledge needed
Some basic skills and familiarity with tools necessary for assembly.
Technical Specifications and Assembly Instructions
Steps for Assembly
Step 1
Buy necessary parts needed. See BOM for those used.
Step 1: Lay out components (this is the hopper)
Step 2
Lay out all necessary tools and components.
Step 3
Use box base to mark hole locations on selected wood pieces.
Step 4
Starting with a small drill bit and ending with 1/4" drill bit, drill out holes in wood. Set these aside for later.
Step 5
Put hex bolts in mount holes with the head on the inner side of the bottom box.
Step 6
Put washer, lock nut, washer, 5 shredder gears, washer, lock nut, washer on the threaded rod and put through the hole in the bottom box. In that order.
Step 6: Assembly with components on one side
Note: Ensure that the teeth for the shredder gear face inward for both.
Step 7
Put two hex nuts on the outside section of the threaded rod to use in a later step.
Step 8
Using the 2 box end wrenches, inch the set of nuts and shredder gears so that the rod protrudes through the other side of the box base.
Step 8: Where to put wretches for ease of use
Step 9
Repeat Steps 4-6 for other shredder gears.
Step 10
Push base bottom into hopper, ensuring that the alignment is correct. This should be a tight fit. Small taps with a hammer might be necessary.
Step 11
Put wood on 2 bolts and threaded rods on both sides.
Step 12
Put a washer on the wood side of each bolt and threaded rod.
Step 13
Put a lock nut next to washer on each bolt and threaded rod.
Step 14
Tighten nuts using 7/16 wretches.
Step 15
Take earlier used hex nuts off (4 total) that were used to help tighten components.
Step 16
Thread one lock nut per threaded rod on one side to position drive gears.
Step 17
Put a washer, hex nut, drive gear, washer, hex nut -starting from the closest to the wood.
Step 18
Repeat this for other threaded rod.
Step 19
On one axel put another washer, hex nut, handle, washer, hex nut - starting from side closest to the wood.
Step 20
Place on top of bucket
Step 21
Insert fruit and turn handle clockwise
Step 22
Enjoy crushed fruit!!
Print Time Estimate
19 hours - Hopper
35 minutes - each shredder gear
20 minutes - each drive gear
2 hours - Base Box
Total Print Time: 27 hours and 30 minutes
Assembly Time Estimate
1 hour
Common Problems and Solutions
The most common problem is measuring a piece incorrectly. Just remember to measure twice and cut once.
Other common problems were 3D prints coming out defective. This is overcome by changing the speed and temperature settings. What works for one person might not work for you. The solution to this is printing many test prints until you get your desired outcome.
If you don't have a bucket in your location other vessels may be used. Whatever you have on hand that can act as the container to grab the fruit as it is crushed will work.
If the 3D printed hopper is not ideal for you think about using a smaller (or larger depending on what you need) container or cup with the bottom cut out of it. The hopper is just there to direct the fruit towards the shredder gears.
If the fruit is not getting chopped up properly or is clogging the shredder. Try cutting the fruit into smaller pieces before putting the fruit in the hopper.
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