The Project

Automated Chicken Egg Washer and Sorter

The Project

A set of objectives and constraints have been outlined to define the scope of the project and to provide focus for the design.

Objectives and Constraints:

•Small portable unit

•Economical (cost)

•Eggs are dried after washing

•Sort eggs into three sizes, based on weight

•Eggs must be in tray at end of process

•Ease of access for maintenance

•Wash 600 eggs/hr

•Does not require human intervention

•Must not break more than 1% of eggs

Design:
The design was broken down into modular components, each with a specific task. The following flow chart illustrates the process.

The soiled eggs will be initially hand loaded onto a conveyor where they will be taken to the washer. This conveyor will act as a buffer allowing for loading at high capacity.
The eggs will enter at the center of the washer and will travel along a spiral pathway towards the outer edge of the washer.
As the eggs travel through the washer they will be gently sprayed with water and will pass under an array of cleaning brushes.
Once the egg leaves the washer a conveyor will transport it to a load cell where it will be weighed.
After the egg is weighed it will be taken to one of three loading stations based on its size (small, medium, or large).
When the egg arrives at the loading station it will be transferred off the conveyor and into a set of alignment cups.
Lastly, the egg will be loaded into an empty tray.