Universal nut sheller

Universal Nut Sheller

The Universal Nut Sheller is a simple hand-operated machine designed to shell various types of nuts. It was invented by Jock Brandis in 2001 and has been used primarily in developing countries to improve the efficiency of nut processing.

History

The Universal Nut Sheller was developed by Jock Brandis after a trip to Mali where he observed the labor-intensive process of shelling peanuts by hand. Inspired to create a more efficient method, Brandis designed a machine that could be easily constructed using locally available materials. The first prototype was built in North Carolina, and subsequent models have been distributed worldwide through the Full Belly Project, a non-profit organization founded by Brandis.

Design and Functionality

The Universal Nut Sheller is constructed primarily from concrete and metal, making it durable and inexpensive to produce. The design consists of a conical rotor and a matching stator, which are adjusted to accommodate different sizes of nuts. As the rotor turns, nuts are fed into the machine and cracked open by the shearing action between the rotor and stator.

The machine is capable of shelling a variety of nuts, including peanuts, coffee beans, and sheanuts. It significantly reduces the time and labor required for shelling compared to traditional methods.

Impact

The introduction of the Universal Nut Sheller has had a significant impact on communities in developing countries. By increasing the efficiency of nut processing, it has helped improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers and reduce the physical burden of manual shelling, often performed by women and children.

The machine's simplicity and low cost make it accessible to communities with limited resources. It also promotes local manufacturing and maintenance, as the materials and skills required to build and repair the sheller are readily available in many regions.

Related pages

• Peanut
• Jock Brandis
• Full Belly Project

References

• Brandis, Jock. "The Universal Nut Sheller: A Simple Machine with a Big Impact." Full Belly Project, 2005.
• "Peanut Shelling Machine: A Revolution in Rural Agriculture." Agricultural Innovations Journal, vol. 12, no. 3, 2006, pp. 45-49.

External links

• Full Belly Project

Jock Brandis with the Universal Nut Sheller

Diagram of the Universal Nut Sheller

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  Rachel and the machine

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  Peanut sheller