Three students of Electrical Engineering Diploma Program UGM have developed a machine to obtain the extract of ubi lembong (Canna discolor L. syn. C. edulis). The technology is aimed to improve the productivity of the making of Ongol-ongol Lembong snack. The students are M. Abdul Rasyidi, Nopa Widiantoro and Betasari Purbasari.
The machine they had created made them gold medalist winner in the category of presentation in the National Student’ Scientific Week (PIMNAS) XXIV at Universitas Hasanuddin, Makasar, from 18-21 July.
M. Rasyidi said the idea to build the machine was stirred by their concerns of the problem facing people. The people of Sumberharjo village in Prambanan district, Sleman regency, still do extracting manually.
”Most of the makers of Ongol-ongol Lembong snack in Sumberharjo still do it manually when they extract the tuber. This much affects the efficiency and production of Ongol-ongol ubi lembong,” he said recently.
Rasyidi and friends were motivated to help the people of Sumberharjo by making a multi-functioning double machines. They integrated grater and single screw extruder, joined by a reducer, so it is able to smash the tuber and at the same time extracting it.
”This machine can work fast, extracting 1 kg of potato in 45 seconds in comparison with the 10-minute manual work,” the student of class 2009 said.
Rasyidi said the machine is made of food grade stainless steel that can produce hygienic results. It is equipped with 4 wheels, making it portable.
Currently, the machine is used by one food maker in Sumberharjo village in Prambanan. ”We hope this machine can be mass-produced so more people can use it, too,” Rasyidi expressed his hope.
Meanwhile, their lecturer, M. Arrofiq, ST., MT., Ph.D., said that the competition in the PIMNAS was very tight because it was joined by 91 private and state universities across Indonesia. This year the Electrical Engineering Diploma Program had submitted 3 titles at the competition, but only one has been able to gain an award. “Our achievement this year is prideful. Last year our students won a gold medal. I’m happy and proud with the diploma program as it is indeed oriented towards problem solving among community. We hope we can raise the achievement in 2012,” said the Chairman of Electrical Engineering Diploma Program UGM.