Development of a Digital Angle of Repose Machine and Its Performance on Tiger Nuts

Student: Chidera Kingsley Olisaemezie (Project, 2025)
Department of Agricultural and Bio-resources Engineering
Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State

Abstract

The design and development of a digital apparatus for measuring the angle of repose of agricultural materials were carried out in this project. The machine utilizes a microcontroller-based system to enhance measurement accuracy and automate data collection. The major components of the apparatus include a fiber-glass compartment, a circular platform for heap formation, an ultrasonic sensor for height measurement, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) unit for real-time display, and a microcontroller (PIC16F877A) for data processing. The machine operates on the fixed funnel method, where agricultural grains or particles are discharged from a funnel onto a circular platform, forming a conical heap. The ultrasonic sensor accurately measures the height of the heap, while the diameter is pre-determined. The microcontroller processes these values to compute the angle of repose using the equation θ = tan⁻¹(h/d). The computed results, including heap height, angle of repose, and battery status, are displayed on the LCD. This digital angle of repose measuring equipment ensures high precision, reproducibility, and ease of use, making it a valuable tool for agricultural engineers, food scientists, and material handling industries.

Keywords
digital angle of repose agricultural materials microcontroller measurement accuracy ultrasonic sensor heap formation fixed funnel method tiger nuts LCD display material handling
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