Automation of Rubber Coagulating Process Along with Dispensing and Stacking System

Rubber coagulation is the first crucial step in processing natural rubber that happens naturally or is induced by various techniques. After collection of the tapped latex, rubber is recovered from the emulsion by coagulation with formic acid, creating crumbs. After detailed research on the methods of coagulation, it is found that the quality of sheets can vary due to the change in the amount of diluted formic acid mixed. The quantity of formic acid varies according to the Dry Rubber Content (DRC) value of the rubber latex. The DRC value can change according to the location, climate, humidity, etc. In this process, time is also a primary factor as the rubber gets hardened over time. Therefore, the process of rubber latex coagulation requires skilled labor. As the quantity of rubber latex increases, the number of laborers increases. ‘Automatic Rubber Latex Coagulation System’ aims at coagulating rubber latex according to the DRC value. An adequate amount of diluted formic acid is discharged into the rubber latex according to the DRC value automatically. This system mixes the field rubber latex along with the water and diluted formic acid by dispensing them into the aluminum coagulating tray. Since it is fully automatic, it comes along with a releasing and stacking mechanism for trays. This automated dispensing machine helps to reduce labor costs and working time. As the discharged amount of liquid is constant, it can produce sheets of the same quality. Due to the varying value of DRC, the system comes with a provision to enter the DRC value of latex and it automatically calculates the amount of rubber latex, water, and diluted formic acid to be discharged for a tray. This machine focuses on the processing of sheets from fresh field latex rather than from preserved latex using ammonium which has lesser value and quality than the field latex. This machine can be used to produce coagulated rubber irrespective of latex production in the fields. That is, this machine can be used in large-scale as well as small-scale production centers. Such machines and systems can be expected to bring changes in these fields of production. This would also promote the upbringing of rubber tree plantations among the native farmers. This machine can be considered as a part of promoting the agriculture field by reducing the limitations and problems faced by the farmers and by making the process of production easier.