Design Engineering of Fruit Packaging Trays Using Recycled PET Material

Authors: Mohamed Sami Albordini, Faris Tarlochan

Abstract:

Bruises in apples affect their quality, and consumer acceptance, and willingness to purchase after harvest, transport, and storage. This study aims to analyze the impact of various drop heights on bruising when apples are dropped onto structural steel—a material frequently used in fruit pallets. In this study, 27 simulations were conducted using SolidWorks at three drop heights: 500 mm, 1000 mm, and 1500 mm, and nine tray designs to evaluate the resulting stress. The results showed that the level of bruising increased with higher drop heights. The impact velocity, surface hardness, and stress level were identified as key factors contributing to bruising. Among the nine tray designs, tray design 1 demonstrated the least stress measured across all drop heights, making it the most effective at minimizing bruising. These findings highlight the importance of reducing drop height and improving packaging to minimize mechanical damage, preserve apple quality, and extend shelf life.

Keywords: Bruising, apple, drop height, shelf life, SolidWorks.

References:

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