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09 INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE

20 – 21 November 2009, GABROVO

DEVELOPMENT OF A PROTOTYPE MEASUREMENT APPARATUS FOR

DETERMINING SOME PHYSICAL-MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF FRUITS TO
PROCESS THEM AFTER HARVEST

İbrahim Savaş DALMIŞ Birol KAYİŞOĞLU

Namık Kemal University Namık Kemal University
Vocational College of Technical Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Dept. Of Farm Machinery,
59030 Tekirdağ, Turkey 59030 Tekirdağ, Turkey
idalmis@nku.edu.tr bkayisoglu@nku.edu.tr

Abstract
In this study, it was aimed that designing a multipurpose measurement apparatus to determine some physical-mechanical
properties of fruits for postharvest processing of them.
It was anticipated by this measurement apparatus to help for obtaining axial impact pressures (forces) occured during packaging
and transporting on fruits. It was aimed by this measurement apparatus to use for determining physical-mechanical properties of
fruits also.
The measurement apparatus designed and implemented consists of three parts. First part is a measurement ball whose diameter
is 70 mm and sensing mechanical pressures over fruits at the X, Y, Z axis. Second parts are indicators that make data come from
sensing ball it observable. And the final part is a computer. Computer is using for data acquisition and storing via a software.

Keywords: measurement ball, axial force, physical-mechanical properties.

INTRODUCTION
Mechanical damages occupy an important part in the
degradation of the fresh fruits and vegetables. 30-40 %
of the products are discarded due to the damage,
occurred in course of delivery from producer to
consumer [1].
Mechanical damages occur as a result of a series of
procedures in the harvest, blending of the material and
manual procedures. In particular, due to fungal
contamination in bruised areas in fruits, the product
quality and product value deteriorates and causes
economic losses [2].
In studies, concerning bruising susceptibility, many
factors, affecting susceptibility have been determined.
However literature data presents conflicting results.
Diener et al. [3], state that the apples are less susceptible
to bruising as they are more mature, while, Klein [4],
has concluded just the opposite. Klein, in his study, has
stated, in connection with storage time, that there was a
decrease in bruising following prolonged storage times,
following harvest. However, Holt and Schoorl [5], have
concluded that bruising susceptibility increased with an
increase in the storage time.
For the determination of fruit losses due to the
mechanical forces, Herold, et al. [6], have developed an
instrumented sphere, named PMS60. The prototype
multi-purpose measurement set, developed in this study,
performed to contribute in determination and prevention
of the bruising forces on the fruits due to mechanical
effects, unlike previous studies, may perform linear
measurements in three axis and by disassembling the
load cells, used in the system, they may also be used for
the determination of certain physicomechanical
properties of fruits together with certain apparatuses and
the physico-mechanical effects of packaging conditions
and transportation conditions on the product.
EXPOSITION
The bruises, occurring in due course from the
harvest of the product until its presentation to the
consumer, are the basic reasons for loss of quality and
market value. The fruits are bruised by colliding with
each other or with a hard surface during harvest,
packaging, transportation or other procedures. Although
it is well known that the bruising is caused by excessive
loads on the surface of the fruit, it is not clear, which
factors affect the differences in the susceptibilities of the
fruits, formed in front of a force [7].
By examining the post-harvest procedures
concerning fruits, the critical points for bruising, have
been identified. During careless placement of throw in
the buckets, in which the fruits are collected during
harvest, it has been observed that the straws of the fruits
punctured peels with stapling effect in the fruits [8].
When the fruits in harvest buckets are poured into the
boxes, to be used for transportation, the fruits are
subject to crushing and peel punctures due to the straws
and the forces, applied on the fruits during
transportation, cause bruises on the products and this
study is related to such forces. The characteristic of the
determined critical points is the fact that the fruits are
highly freely mobile and the likelihood of collision of
the fruit bodies and the straws was high. During the
removal of the fruits from the box and weighing, the
products may also damage each other with their free
movements. The placement of the weighed product in
the bag also constitutes a critical point. The
measurement of the critical forces, where bruising risk
is determined, has been included in the design criteria
(Figure 1).
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09 INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE
20 – 21 November 2009, GABROVO

Figure 1. The critical points of the fruits, bearing bruising risk

as a result of post-harvest fruit-straw collision

The Prototype measurement set, developed to

determine the bruises, caused by post-harvest
mechanical effects on the fruits, may be used to
determine three physico-mechanical properties of the
fruits, namely, peel puncture, peel break and peel
cleavage and the physico-mechanical forces, exposed to
during transportation. Measurement set consists of five
units. These units are 1. Measurement Ball, 2. Button-
Type Load cells, 3. Indicator Unit, 4. Computer, 5. Data
Collection Program (Figure 2).

Fig. 3. The Measurement Ball, Produced by Machining

Since the measurement ball is proposed as a multi-

purpose device, the load cells, used in the system have
been chosen at two different capacities and features.
The load cells of Bc 302 type, have a capacity of 6 kg
and operate only on pressing direction. The load cells of
Bc 301 type, have a capacity of 100 kg and operate both
in pressing and pulling directions. Due to two load cell
types, used in the system, the measurement set may be
used for different purposes.
In particular, Bc 301 load cell may be used to
measure internal axial forces in the transportation boxes
on the measurement ball, and also may be used in the
Figure 2. Prototype measurement set units determination of the physico-mechanical properties of
fruits. Since this load cell may operate in the direction
Measurement Ball of pressing and pulling, measurements for fruit peel
The measurement ball, which constitutes the first puncture, peel break and peel cleavage measurements
unit of the computer-assisted measurement set, has been may be performed.
made from Teflon, which is a type of polymer, by Figure 4 shows the working directions of the
processing in CNC workbenches. Figure 3 shows the designed and produced measurement ball.
exploded disassembled and assembled view of the
measurement ball. The density of teflon, used in the
production of measurement ball, is 2.1-2.2 gr/cm3. This
material has been preferred since it is more suitable for
processing by machining and in CNC workbenches, and
since it damages the fruits less compared to the metal
materials.
The part, which performs measurement process in
measurement set, is a module, made of teflon material,
bearing the load cells, with a diameter of 72 mm, and
with a weight of 215 g (2.11 N). The purpose is to
position the load cells, placed on the body for the
measurement of the loads in X, Y and Z axis in the fruit
boxes.
Measurement ball consists of 10 parts, namely body, Figure 4. The Directions of Force Measured by Measurement
lids, force transmission pins and force transmission Ball
caps. It bears three load cells. The measurement ball
conveys the forces, imposed on it, to load cells.
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09 INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE
20 – 21 November 2009, GABROVO

Button Type Load Cells Indicator Unit

In the study, button type Dseuropa brand BC 300
series load cells have been used. The usage areas of the
button type load cells constitute very small profile and
the location, requiring compact dimensions. These load
cells are used for general purpose applications on
machines, industrial and medical measurement
platforms, textile machines and in particular in dynamic
and static measurements for multi-point measurements
in robotics. Button type load cells are compact and thin.
The dimensions of the load cells, used in the study, are
given in Figure 5.
In the study, for transmission of the data, obtained
from the Measurement Ball to the computer, three
Profol type indicators have been used. Table 3 shows
the technical specifications of Profol indicators.
Table 3. Technical specifications of Profol indicators.
Technical Specifications
Ability to measure 50 data per second.
1/10000 Display sensitivity
Ability to connect to the computer with Standard
RS232
Analogue output 4-20 mA 0-10 VDC optional
Input voltage 12 VDC VAC-24 VCD VAC
Operating temperature 0-40 Cº
± 10 mV measurement range

Computer
In the study, a desktop computer has been used for
assessment and storage of data, received from
measurement ball. The 2 serial ports on the computer
have been increased to 6 with a port multiplier. The
data, received from measurement ball, is concurrently
delivered to the computer and program through three
Figure 5. The dimensions of BC 301 and BC 302 Load
Cells
ports. Table 4 shows the technical specifications of the
computer, used in measurement set.
In the study, BC 301 and BC 302 load cells have
Table 4. Technical specifications of the computer, used in
been used in the production of the measurement ball
measurement set.
(Figure 4). BC 302 may only be used for pressing and
BC 301 may be used for pressing and pulling. BC 301 CPU PIV 2 Ghz
has stainless steel body and BC 302 has aluminum Ram 512 Mb
allow body. In Table 1 and Table 2, the technical Hard disk 60 Gb.
specifications of BC 301 and BC 302 load cells are Operating System Win Xp
given.
Data Processing Program
Table 1. Technical Specifications of BC 301 Load Cell In the study, a program, which processes the data,
0 ± 100 kg (Capacity) received from multi-purpose data collection ball and
Measuring range Operates in Pressing and which saves such data as an excel file, has been
Pulling Direction designed and this program has been named as data
Precision 2 mV collection program.
Total Error ≤ 0.5 % Capacity The program detects the data, sent through three
Repetition Error ≤ ± 0.1 % Capacity serial ports and displays them instantly on the screen
Output Voltage 5v; 8v Max. and saves them as an excel file. In Figure 6, program
Power Connection With a 1 m cable display is seen.
Overload 1.5 x Capacity It saves the measurement data from the load cells on
Diameter 39 mm the measurement ball concurrently and at regular
Thickness 6.8 mm intervals (every 0.40 seconds) in the form of daq (Excel)
Connection holes axial 31.5 mm file. The measurement data, received from the cells
diameter
during the preset measurement and minimum and
Table 2. Technical Specifications of BC 302 Load Cell maximum values and arithmetic mean values may be
recorded.
0 + 6 kg (Capacity)
Measuring range Operates in Pressing
Direction
Precision 2 mV
Total Error ≤ 0.5 % Capacity
Repetition Error ≤ ± 0.1 % Capacity
Output Voltage 5v; 8v Max.
Power Connection With a 1 m cable
Overload 1.5 x Capacity
Diameter 16.5 mm
Thickness 5.8 mm
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Figure 6. Data Collection Program Operating Screen
The flow chart of data processing program has been
given in Figure 7.
Figure 7. Computer Assisted Measurement Set Usage
Program Flow Chart
As seen in Figure 7, the computer assisted
measurement set usage program consists of three main
phases. These are phases for input of experiment
information, data collection and data processing.
After the program is started, the basic information
concerning experiment is entered in the first phase.
These information consist of information, such as the
name of the daq (excel) file, to which the results will be
saved, reference number if necessary, the type of the
sample, the characteristics of the same, the used
experiment device, the location of experiment, the
person, performing the experiment, the date of
experiment and the time of experiment.
The second phase consists of the initiation of the
experiment and the collection of values, coming from
load cells. The experiment is stopped at the end of the
designated time or at any time and the data is recorded
to the daq (excel) file, specified in the first phase.
INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE
20 – 21 November 2009, GABROVO
The third phase is the examination of the data. In
this phase, the data may be examined by opening the
daq file, in which the data is recorded. daq file, formed
by the program may be opened in Ms Excel program
and saved as .xls file. In the data file, all procedures
concerning data examination or printing may be
performed through Excel program. The data, stored by
the program, may be processed through statistics
programs.
The data processing program, used in measurement
set, has been written with Visual Basic program.
Calibration of Computer Assisted Measurement
Set
Calibration of BC 301 and BC 302 Load Cells
To determine that the values, obtained from two Bc
301 and one Bc 302 load cells, used in the measurement
set, in particular in dynamic conditions, are accurate and
reliable values, in the determination of the sudden load
or decrease in load in dynamic conditions, hysteresis is
used and repeating measurement experiments have been
made in the determination of the deviations of the
measurement values in repeated loads. The load values,
selected in the experiments, have been selected
considering the sensitivity of the load cells.
The methods, related to system calibration, which
have been outlined above, have been explained in detail
below.
Since BC 302 type load cell works both in pressing
and pulling direction, the specified experiments have
been performed in this cell also for pulling.
Hysteresis : To determine the changes in force
values in case of loading in dynamic conditions,
decrease or elimination of the effect of load, each cell
has been loaded up to 9.80 N (1 kg) with an increase of
1.96 N (200 g) and with 1.96 N decrease values, load
decrease conditions have been provided. With this trial
to be performed under static conditions, the effect of the
change of load on cells, has been found.
Repeated Measurement: For the determination of
the load change rates of load cells under repeated load
conditions, the load cells have been exposed to the
effects of fixed load multiple times. Fixed load value is
9.80 N [9].
Calibration Values of BC 301 and BC 302 Load
Cells
Variable Load (Hysteresis) Values
The load cells, used in measurement set, are subject
to constantly changing forces when measuring the
forces within the box. These forces occur with the effect
of movement of the tomatoes within the box and their
contact with the load cells on the measurement ball. The
effects of the variable loads on each load cell, defined as
load and reload have been given in Table 5 and Figure
8.
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09 INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE
20 – 21 November 2009, GABROVO

Table 5. Variable Load Values, N The Usage Areas of Developed Prototype

Measurement Set
Weight Load Unload Mechanical bruising in biological materials change
(N) Bc 301 Bc 302 (1)Bc 302(2) Bc 301 Bc 302 Bc 302(2)
0 0 0 0 0.59 0 0 with respect to the physical, biological structure of the
1.96 1.77 1.86 1.86 1.57 1.77 1.86 product or the form of external forces. Forces, which
3.92 3.53 3.82 3.82 3.14 3.63 3.82 cause bruising, may be transmitted to the product from
5.88 5.59 5.79 5.69 5.20 5.79 5.59
the surface of the transportation box or may also be
7.85 7.65 7.75 7.65 7.75 7.75 7.45
9.81 9.12 9.61 9.51 9.12 9.61 9.51 transferred through the contact of the products with each
other due to stacking in the box. In order to determine
When Table 5 and Figure 8 are examined, it is seen the forces, accompanying the deformation, which may
that the effect of the load conditions and reload occur on the fruits following the harvest, first of all, the
conditions of the load cells, used in prototype physico-mechanical properties of the fruits may be
measurement set, were at the same values and the determined.
regression equation improvement degrees for load and The measurement ball or BC 301 load cell of the
reload in all three load cells were at high levels, such as prototype measurement set, may be connected to the
r2 = 0.98 - 0.99. machinery or devices, which rigidly works in the
directions of pressing or pulling in fixed speeds. In this
way, the measurement set may be used to measure peel
puncture force, peel cleavage force, peel breakage force
in the fruits and also may be used to measure the axial
forces, forming as a result of placement of the
measurement ball within fruit boxes. In Figure 9, the
uses of the prototype measurement set on a machine,
which can operate in pressing and pulling directions,
may be seen.

Figure 8. Variable Load Effects of Load Cells

Repeated Measurement Values

The load values of the load cells used in the Figure 9. The installation and use of the measurement set on
measurement set, under repeated load conditions, have pressing-pulling machine.
been given in Table 5. In repeated measurements, 9.8 N
(1 kg) load has been used. Determination of Peel puncture force
For the determination of peel puncture forces of the
Table 6. Repeated Load Values fruits, steel staples, prepared at different dimensions, are
Yüklenme Değeri (N) used. In order to measure the peel puncture force with
Tekrar Sayısı Bc 301 Bc 302 (1) Bc 302(2) this method, the BC 302 load cell, with its special
1 8.92 N 9.41 N 9.51 N
2 8.83 N 9.51 N 9.41 N
apparatus, is connected to CNC pressing-pulling
3 9.02 N 9.41 N 9.61 N machine and is thrust on the fruits with the attached
Ortalama 8.92 9.41 9.51 staple until the peel of the fruit is punctured with a fixed
Standart Hata 0.06 0.03 0.06
VK,% 1.1 0.6 1.03 speed of 100 mm/min (Figure 11.a) [10]. The
measurement values are recorded with a data collection
As seen in Table 6, in repeated measurement trials, program and may be assessed using statistical analysis
made with three repetitions, average load values in BC programs.
301 load cell is 8.92 N and BC 302 (1) load cell is 9.41
N and Bc 302 (2) load cell is 9.51 N. The standard error Determination of Peel Breakage Force
value for each load cell is 0.06 for BC 301 load cell, For breakage experiment, a specially designed
0.03 for Bc 302 load cell and 0.06 for BC 302(2) load apparatus, attached to BC 302 load cell, is used. The
cell. Variation coefficient values are 1.1 % for BC 301 fruit peels are connected from upper side to the load cell
load cell, 0.6% for Bc 302 load cell and 1.03% for BC and to CNC pressing-pulling machine table from the
302(2) load cell. lower side through a clamp. Then the tomato peels are
The small difference in the loading values, provided pulled and torn with a speed of 100 mm/min. The
in repeated measurements, show that the system may measurement values are recorded with a data collection
perform accurate and reliable measurements at different program and may be assessed using statistical analysis
times and different loading conditions. programs (Figure 11.b) [8].
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Determination of Cleavage Force
In order to measure the peel cleavage force with this
method, the BC 302 load cell, is connected to CNC
pressing-pulling machine and is thrust on the fruits until
the peel of the fruit is cleaved with a fixed speed of 100
mm/min (Figure 10.c). The force values, formed as a
result of this procedure, are recorded by a data
collection program and are assessed by using statistical
analysis programs.
Figure 10. Measurement of Tomato Peel Puncture Force
Using a Staple
The Measurement of Linear Box Forces within
Fruit Boxes
For the determination of the forces, imposed on the
fruits during transportation, the measurement ball is
placed within the box and the forces may be measured.
In particular, the fruits, contacting the sharp sides of
the board with the effect of vibration and impacts, were
bruised in connection with the fruit maturity from the
contact surfaces. Measurement ball will be placed
within the box, as shown in figure 11 and the static and
dynamic forces, occurring with sharp edge-fruit contact,
may be measured.
Figure 11. The Measurement of the Forces, Occurring On
the Sharp Edges of the Box Material
For determination of the forces, imposed by the
fruits on each other due to the axial forces, imposed
during transportation, the measurement ball may be
placed as specified in the box and measurements may be
made (Figure 12). In such measurements, the fruit box
must be subject to vibrations, at frequencies, determined
with a vibrating system.
Figure 12. Measurement of Forces within the Box
INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE
20 – 21 November 2009, GABROVO
The force values, formed as a result of this
procedure, are recorded by a data collection program
and are assessed by using statistical analysis programs.
CONCLUSION
In case the technical specifications of the biological
material are not considered, bruising and bruising losses
occur. The basic principle of the bruising losses is based
on the comparison of the relation between loss
prevention cost and the loss cost. The amount of
bruising is a function of energy absorption quantity. The
relation between damage and absorption, constitutes a
method for loss estimate [11].
Mechanical damages occur as a result of a series of
procedures in the harvest, blending and transportation of
the material and manual procedures. In particular, due to
fungal contamination in bruised areas in fruits, bruising
causes a degradation in product quality and product
value and causes economic losses [2].
Even if the designed prototype measurement set
realizes the targeted purposes, since the products are in
constant motion in connection with the external forces
and frequencies, affecting the product with the forces
within the box, it causes the force transmission pins to
remain vacant from time to time. This affects the
measurement of certain axial forces in certain
measurements. The fruits, subject to measurement,
absorb a part of forces in connection with fruit hardness.
The fact that the studies materials are biological
materials, do not affect the rigidity of the fruit hardness.
In connection with the frequency of the imposed forces,
the fruits lose their rigidity and this causes the measured
force values to appear lower.
By adding a second measurement ball to the
measurement ball, designed in the study, the
measurement of total force within the box may be
provided. The purpose of the second measurement ball,
will be to measure total forces regardless of direction
and therefore measurements must be made by using
pressure sensor instead of load cell in this ball.
In addition, in case the system is made in a more
modular fashion and wireless use is provided, the
collection of force data, formed during transportation
will also be provided. Therefore the measurement ball
will be placed on the boxes on the transportation
vehicles and also assessments may be made for
vehicles, packaging material and roads.
REFERENCE
[1] Barchi, G.L., A. Berardinelli, A. Guarnieri, L. Ragni, C.
Totaro Fila., 2002. Damage to loquasts by vibration-
simulating intra-state transport. Biosystems Engineering, 82:
305-312.
[2] Sıtkei, G., 1986. Mechanics of Agricultural Meterials,
Akademial Kiado, Budapest, Hungary
[3] Diener, R. G., Eliot, K. C., Nesselroad, P. E. Ingle, M.,
Adam, R. E. and Blizzard, H., 1979. Bruise Energy Of
Peaches And Apples. Transaction of the ASAE, p.287-290
[4] Klein, J. D., 1987. Relationship Of Harvest Date, Storage
Conditions, And Fruit Characteristics To Bruise Susceptibility
Of Apple. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 112(1): 113-118.
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[5] Holt ,J. E.and Schoorl, D., 1977. Bruising and Energy
Dissipation in Apples, Journal of Textures Studies, 7, 421-432
[6] Herold, B.; Truppel, I.; Siering, G.; Geyer, M., 1996 A
Pressure Measuring Sphere for monitoring handling of fruit
and vegetables Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 15
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[7] Topping, A. J. Ve Luton, M. T. 1986. Cultuvar Differences
İn The Bruising Of English Apples. Journal of Horticultural
Science 61(1): 9-13
[8] Dalmış, İ., S., Kayişoğlu, B., 2007 “Domates Kasalarında
Titreşim Etkisiyle Oluşan Eksenel Kuvvetlerin Belirlenmesi
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Bilimi Dergisi, Cilt 3., Sayı 3; S 195-204, İzmir
[9] Akıncı, İ., 1994. Traktör-Tarım Makinası Enerji
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Sisteminin Geliştirilmesi Ve Mekanizasyon Planlamasında
Temel İşletmecilik Verilerinin Belirlenmesi Üzerine Bir
Araştırma. Ç.Ü. Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Tarım Makinaları
Ana Bilim Dalı, Ph.D. Thesis, Adana
[10] Chesson, J., Moore. J., 1985. An Automatic Fruit
Pressure Tester. Transcations of The ASAE, USA.322-325
[11] Schoorl, D., Holt, J.E., 1983. Mechanical Damage in
Agricultural Products. A Basis for Management Agricultural
Systems11., Australia, 143-157.