Development and Performance Evaluation of a Mobile Sand Screening Machine

This paper aimed to design, fabricate, and assess an artisanal sand screening machine comprised of locally sourced materials and technology. The performance of the machine was quantified by capacity, efficiency, energy consumption, and cost efficiency. The machine was produced using a 1 HP prime mover, stainless steel screen, and belt-type transmission. Basal capacity and efficiency were characterized over performance trials at various rotational speeds by tuning the environments. Financial analysis was also performed to assess the economic viability. The machine achieved a capacity of 7,072.23 kg/hr at 3000 RPM with 95.09% efficiency in screening operation consuming 0.746 kW per hour. The direct operating cost per year amounted to Php 163,578.49, while in one-year revenue and net profits have reached Php 643,572.93 and Php 479,994.4 respectively. The machine had a payback period of a mere 0.054 years which is about 20 days with a corresponding astronomical return on investment of 293.434%. The results suggest that the sand screening machine saves costs and energy, thus making it appropriate for small and medium-sized businesses. The research suggests applying this technology in the corresponding branches and recommends further investigation of the machine’s operation in other environments and the use of denser materials to make it more resistant and versatile. This domestically manufactured machine has the potential to substantially cut operational costs and increase the efficiency level of sand processing activities.