Centrifugal Juicer Green Team Section A

The Apple Market The apple crop for 2005 is expected to be 234 million bushels of apples, equaling 79 apples per person. 39% of apples are processed, 21% for juice and cider. Total apple production exceeds $1 billion annually.

Target Market: Small Farmers In 2002, there were 17,774 apple farms, 2/3 of which were less than 5 acres. Small farms accounted for 21,737 acres, or over 2 billion apples. 36 apples make 1 gallon of apple cider, so small farmers produce 12 million gallons of apple cider per year.

Available Presses/Juicers Typical apple press costs about $600 and can process a bushel at a time with two people. Typical tabletop juicer costs $250 and uses centrifugal force. Is effective for small quantities.

Customer Needs Apple Grind Press Juice Pulp We interviewed local apple farmers to determine the main needs. Most of the labor involves moving apples between different process machines.

Centrifugal Juicer Grinder and juicer in one. Centrifugal force separates juice from the pulp. Utilizes concept of tabletop juicer, but allows higher capacity to satisfy small farmer customer need. Less expensive than current juice press.

Technical Feasibility Juice extraction – 50% or the weight is juice, remainder skin, pulp and seeds. Capacity: 1.5 cubic feet. Apples can be effectively ground up by a 1.5HP motor that spins at 1400rpm. If continuously running, 15 gallons per hour of juice produced (one bushel = 4 gallons).

Front View of Juicer Outer barrel (cardboard) is stationary and collects the juice, while inner wire barrel rotates at a high rpm and ejects the juice. Juice exits from white nozzle at the bottom. Motor is blue cylinder at the top.

Inner Barrel View Inner barrel rotates on a lazy susan, which is powered by a motor on the top. White fruit chute ends ~1/2” above the nail points, ensures apples are ground by rotating nail force as soon as they get to bottom of chute.

Top View Top picture shows motor, fruit chute opening, and top lid. Bottom picture shows the view from the open lid. Juicer will have a disposable filter bag for easy pulp removal. The juicer will have to be cleaned out about every two bushels.

Questions?