String hopper maker for SME integrating mixing and extrusion

Abstract

String hoppers are a staple food in Sri Lanka, characterized by consistently high demand in restaurants and canteens. However, supply often falls short due to the laborintensive and time-consuming nature of traditional preparation methods. The current market primarily offers separate machines for mixing and extrusion processes, which can lead to hygiene issues and inconsistencies in product quality. This paper presents an integrated string hopper maker that automates the process of dough mixing and extrusion for SME. The objectives include identifying critical parameters like water-flour ratio and water temperature, designing an integrated system to eliminate the manual dough handling, and developing a working prototype. The resulting machine is expected to enhance and ensure consistent quality and hygiene, and help food centers to meet market demand effectively, thereby increasing their sales and competitiveness in the market.