MECHANICAL SIEVE

ALZAGA, MA. ANGELICA LL.

ARANA, EDAR A.
ESPARES, CAMILLE ROSE D.
JULATON, JOHN CEDRICK C.
TORRE, KIARA MARINELA M.

INTRODUCTION
A sieve analysis is a practice or procedure used to assess the
particle size distribution (also called gradation) of a granular
material. The size distribution is often of critical importance
to the way the material performs in use. A sieve analysis can
be performed on any type of non-organic or organic granular
materials including sands, crushed rock, clays, soil, down to a
minimum size depending on the exact method. Being such a
simple technique of particle sizing, it is probably the most
common.

RELATED LITERATURE
The primary purpose of a sieve shaker is to provide motion to a sample
in a test sieve. An effective shaker creates a sieving motion that
presents all the particles in a sieve to all of the sieve openings and
assists particles to pass through the sieve openings. A combination of
rotary and vertical motion will usually achieve that objective.
This concept of sieve shaking began with early Egyptians when they
sieved grain. Later, instructions for manually sieving become more
detailed. A sieve or stack of several sieves is cradled loosely in a
slightly inclined position in the crook of the arm. The sieves are tapped
at the rate of approximately 120 times per minute with the flat of the
hand. After about 30 taps, the sieves are put into a horizontal
positioned and given a sharp vertical shake and a hard tap.

RATIONALE
Manual sieve analysis really is difficult and hassle for the people in
laboratory nowadays so as a solution to this kind of difficulty, we
proposed the mechanical sieve. The purpose of this project is to
help and make the sieve analysis easier and better. We came up
to this thought for we know that this can help the sieve analysis,
more accurate for we had enhanced it, and we put digital
weighing scale in our proposed project. With this, we can help
save time and energy most of the time.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE
Our main objective is to determine the percentage
of different grain sizes contained within a soil. The
mechanical sieve is the apparatus used in
determining the distribution of the coarser, larger
sized particles.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
1. To design and innovate a new sieve machine
2. To make a small and portable sieve machine
3. To learn how to be conscious of the time and budget
4. Allow for an adjustable number of sieve pans in the stack in
order to vary the number of samples that can be sieved at a
time.
5. Be relatively compact and inexpensive.
6. Reduce the time taken to sieve a given number of samples
of soil.
7. Be as effective as the commercially available mechanical

ABSTRACT
The design, construction and testing of a soil dry sieving apparatus
is described. It could be used to effectively determine the aggregate
size distribution curves of four dry soil samples simultaneously. The
design required that a means be developed to agitate soil samples
placed on stacks of sieves. Both vertical and slight outward
movements of the soils in the sieve nest were obtained in this
particular design.
Four soils were used to test this equipment using the operating
parameters of four vibration frequencies and four sieving times.

INNOVATION
We made twists with regards to our proposed mechanical sieve.
First, instead of standard sieves, we made our version of sieves
because they cost so much and these will take 4 months just to be
delivered in the Philippines.
Then we recycled our vibrating massager and we got the vibrating
machine and we used it as a shaking device on our mechanical
sieve.
Third we planned to place a digital weighing scale to weigh the
particles immediately and accurately.
Lastly we made knots/locks for the immediate placing of sieves in

METHODOLOGY
PLANNING
PREPARING THE MATERIALS TO BE
USED
MAKING THE FRAME
BUILDING THE APPARATUS
TESTING THE FINISHED APPARATUS

PLANNING

PREPARING THE MATERIALS TO

BE USED

MAKING THE FRAME

BUILDING THE APPARATUS

TESTING THE FINISHED

APPARATUS

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

o The project design was followed according to the plan.
o The apparatus is able to separate the different
aggregates.
o Our project is designed as an example of a mechanical
sieve.
o The idea of easy weighing is achieved.
o New apparatus is made out of junk.

CONCLUSION
Making of Mechanical Sieve is not easy, it takes patience,
wit and hardwork. It costs so much but it will be worth it
after seeing the finished product. In order to make it a
success, we must take the procedure step by step. We must
make sure that all parts are properly placed and organized.
In addition to this, we conclude that this can really help
sieve analysis in different laboratories. This surely saves
time, energy and effort assuring that all parts are working
and efficient.