Potential Sources Of Failure In Machines Produced By Agro-Allied Artisanal Metal Fabricators In Nigeria: Policy Implications For Enhancing Reliability And Build Quality Of Post-Harvest Machines

This study examines the likely sources of failure of machines fabricated by agro-allied artisanal machine fabricators in Nigeria with a view to inform strategies to enhance the reliability and build quality of the machines produced and reduce likely property damage and personal injury due to machine failure. Information on the frequency (where 0 = none and 4 = always) of machine failure from three sources namely; manufacturing defects, supplied parts and maintenance and handling by end-users was collected from using a set of questionnaire fabricators in selected fabrication clusters in Southwestern Nigeria. The study revealed low frequencies of manufacturing defects. Welding (0.07) and alignment of joints defects (0.31) were almost non-existent while defects in axle seals (1.06), hammers (1.17) and choice of metal (0.61) barely occurred in machine production. However, supplied parts such as substandard bearings (3.59) were always sources of failure while fasteners (3.20) and electrical switches (3.26) and wiring (3.43) were often sources of failure. In addition, end-user issues such as lack of maintenance (3.54) was always was a source, while improper maintenance protocols (3.42) were often sources of failure. The study recommends standardizing, regulating and enforcing quality standards of such machines and machine parts and the provision of maintenance guides for end-users.