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Department of Engineering, ICT and Technologies for Energy and Transport Patent Title Hemp defibering machine for industrial use. Ref. CNR 10318 Assignee(s): CNR, Assocanapa CNR Institute: IMAMOTER Main Inventor: Renato Delmastro Countries: IT Priority date: 28/06/2010 Abstract Machine capable of receiving and working long-fiber hemp harvested in round bales. It can to separate and collect the fibrous part and the shives ensuring a degree of cleanliness conform to the values required by the market. Background Hemp cultivation has experienced a sharp decline in production due to the excessive cost of labor needed for its production and preparation. The object of the present invention allows to dramatically reduce the time and hence the cost of preparation, making possible a high-quality product with competitive prices. Technology The machine is composed of three main parts: the feeder/power pack, the separator that separates fibers from shives using three co-rotating rotors and the cleaner of the fiber. Two prototypes are available: the first one is powered by a farm tractor drive shaft PTO, while the second is powered by an electric motor. Advantages and Applications The machine allows to work the bales of hemp by means of a single operation; it is able to directly receive the bale of hemp, to separate the fibrous part from shives and to collect the two components for subsequent processing steps. The hemp fiber is required by the textile and construction industries; the shives have interesting characteristics in the field of automotive products and buildings insulation. Development stage The first prototype made it possible to assess the benefits and the changes necessary to improve the working efficiency. The second prototype, after the engineering phase, will increase the hourly production and the quality of the product, in order to optimize costs and match market requests. 41