Cashew Nut Cutting Machine
Clean, consistent kernel separation
An automatic cashew cutting machine that splits the shell and separates the kernel cleanly, matched to nut size for minimal splits and broken grades.
The TTQ Cashew Nut Cutting Machine performs the shell-cutting stage: a size-matched blade pair splits the steamed nut along its seam and separates the kernel from the shell in one action. Available as semi-automatic (operator-fed) and fully automatic units, it delivers clean, repeatable cuts that protect whole-kernel grades. This is the knife family: a 4-knife machine runs 230 kg/h on Size A, a 10-knife machine 400–500 kg/h, a 16-knife line 700 kg/h, a 2 × 10-knife line 800–900 kg/h and a 4 × 10-knife line 1,000–1,200 kg/h — the top of the TTQ range. Capacity varies with raw-nut size, so each figure is quoted against a size grade. For the compact automatic head lines, see the shelling machine page.
Technical specifications
| Function | Splits shell & separates kernel |
|---|---|
| Types | Semi-automatic & fully automatic |
| Machine throughput | 230 kg/h (4-knife) to 400–500 kg/h (10-knife), Size A |
| Line throughput | 700 kg/h (16-knife) · 800–900 (2 × 10-knife) · 1,000–1,200 kg/h (4 × 10-knife), Size A |
| Blade set | Size-matched, hardened & re-sharpenable |
| Drive | 1.5–5.5 kW |
| Control | Foot-pedal (semi) / standard control panel (auto) |
| Build | Steel frame, stainless contact guides |
Figures are typical and configurable — we confirm exact specifications against your capacity and grade targets.
Where the whole-kernel rate is won
Size-matched blades
Blades indexed to the nut grade give a clean seam cut with minimal splitting.
Protects whole kernels
A one-action cut separates shell and kernel without crushing, holding W-grade yield.
Semi or fully automatic
Start with operator-fed stations and scale to automatic multi-head cutting as volume grows.
Re-sharpenable blades
Hardened blades are re-sharpened and re-indexed, keeping running costs low.
Model & capacity comparison
Every model TTQ builds for this stage, side by side. Pick by throughput and footprint — each links straight to a quote.
Knife machines and knife lines — models
Knife-configured cutters, from a single-phase 4-knife bench machine to a 4 × 10-knife line. All capacities are input kg/h on Size A; capacity varies with raw-nut size.
| Model | Capacity | Power | Footprint (L×W×H) | Crew | Ref | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-knife machine | 230 kg/h (Size A) | 0.5 HP (0.4 kW), 1-phase 220V | 1.0 × 1.0 × 0.8 m | — | TTQ-SHL-01 | Quote → |
| 10-knife machine | 400–500 kg/h (Size A) | 1 HP (0.75 kW), 1-phase 220V | 1.5 × 1.2 × 1.8 m | — | TTQ-SHL-04 | Quote → |
| 4-knife compact line | 230 kg/h (Size A) | 3.5 HP (2.6 kW), 3-phase 380V | 4.0 × 1.5 × 1.8 m | — | TTQ-SHL-08 | Quote → |
| 4-knife line + conveyor | 230 kg/h (Size A) | 4 HP (3 kW), 3-phase 380V | 4.0 × 4.0 × 1.8 m | — | TTQ-SHL-09 | Quote → |
| 10-knife line + sieving | 400–500 kg/h (Size A) | 8 HP (6 kW) | 4 × 4 × 3 m | 2 | TTQ-SHL-10 | Quote → |
| 16-knife line | 700 kg/h (Size A) | 8 HP (6 kW) | 4 × 4 × 3 m | 2 | TTQ-SHL-11 | Quote → |
| 2 × 10-knife line | 800–900 kg/h (Size A) | 8 HP (6 kW) | 4 × 4 × 3 m | 2 | TTQ-SHL-12 | Quote → |
| 4 × 10-knife line | 1,000–1,200 kg/h (Size A) | 23 HP (17.25 kW) | 12 × 5.5 × 3 m | 4 | TTQ-SHL-14 | Quote → |
Specifications are indicative and configurable; TTQ confirms exact figures against your capacity, grade targets and factory layout. Model codes shown are TTQ quotation references.
The cutting machine is the single most consequential purchase on a cashew line. Everything upstream prepares the nut for it and everything downstream works with what it produces, so the whole-kernel rate it holds sets the ceiling on what the plant can earn. This page covers the knife family — 4-knife and 10-knife machines, and the lines built from them — as bare machines and as semi-automatic or fully automatic lines. All capacities are input kg/h on Size A, and capacity varies with raw-nut size.
Model range
| Model | Input capacity (Size A) | Whole-cutting rate | Suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-knife machine | 230 kg/h | 85–90% | Small operations, single-phase supply |
| 10-knife machine | 400–500 kg/h | 85–90% | Small to medium operations |
| 10-knife line + sieving | 400–500 kg/h | 85–90% | Medium operations wanting separation built in |
| 16-knife line | 700 kg/h | 85–90% | Mid to large operations |
| 2 × 10-knife line | 800–900 kg/h | 85–90% | Large operations |
| 4 × 10-knife line | 1,000–1,200 kg/h | 85–90% | Industrial scale — the top of the TTQ range |
Input kg/h on Size A nuts, quoted per 8-hour shift; capacity varies with raw-nut size. Whole-cutting rate holds across the range — knife count buys throughput, not a better cut.
What the 4-knife delivers
| Metric | Value | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Input capacity | 230 kg/h (Size A) | Scalable as demand grows |
| Power consumption | 0.4 kW as a bare machine, 2.6–3 kW as a compact line | Low operating cost per kg; the bare machine runs on single-phase 220V |
| Whole cutting rate | 85–90% | Maximises revenue per batch — whole kernels carry the premium |
| Footprint | 1.0 × 1.0 × 0.8 m bare; 4.0 × 1.5 × 1.8 m as a line | Fits an existing building without rebuilding it |
The 4-knife as the reference configuration. The 10-knife and the multi-machine lines scale capacity and power roughly in proportion.
What comes with a 4-knife line
| Component | Function | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|
| 4-knife cutter | Precision shell cracking on a dual-cut geometry | 4.0 × 1.5 × 1.8 m |
| Vibration sieve | Kernel and shell separation | 2.5 m |
| Stainless table | Inspection station | 1.5 × 0.8 m |
| Control panel | System oversight, machine-mounted | — |
A bare machine is not a line. Quotes covering only the cutter are not comparable to quotes covering these four items.
What the automatic line adds
| Feature | Description | Gain |
|---|---|---|
| Infeed conveyor | Belt-driven feed replacing manual charging | About 30% more line speed |
| Blower fan | Ejects dust and empty shell | About 98% clean output |
| Multi-stage vibration sieve | Sorts across several screen stages | Around 40% less re-work |
These three are what separate a semi-automatic setup from a fully automatic one in practice.
How the cut works
Dual-blade geometry
two cuts rather than one, so the shell splits along its natural seam and opens rather than crushing inward onto the kernel.
Depth calibration
deep enough to penetrate the shell, shallow enough to miss the kernel. This is the whole engineering problem in one sentence.
Size matching
blades are set for a size band, which is why raw-nut grading before cutting is not optional.
Conditioning dependency
steaming softens the shell so it cuts rather than shatters. An under-steamed nut breaks in any machine at any price.
Choosing a configuration
Pick the family first
knife machines and head lines are separate ranges, not points on one scale. Knife models cover 230 kg/h on a 4-knife bench machine up to 1,000–1,200 kg/h on a 4 × 10-knife line; head lines cover about 140 kg/h to 700 kg/h in a more compact, more automated package. Compare within a family, not across.
Size to your raw-nut supply
a 4 × 10-knife line fed 200 kg/h is expensive idle metal, and a 4-knife machine fed 700 kg/h is a bottleneck that backs up the whole plant.
Count the operators
a bare 4-knife machine needs 3–4 people; a fully automatic line needs two. Over a season that difference outweighs the capital gap in most locations.
Plan for growth honestly
buying one size up "for later" ties capital up now. Adding a second machine later is usually the better path.
Check the floor
a 4-knife unit is about 4 m long; a head line needs 9.0 × 2.2 m plus both-side access for blade changes, and a 4 × 10-knife line needs 12 × 5.5 m.
Installation, operation and maintenance
Installation
typically 2–3 days with TTQ engineers on site, including commissioning on your own raw material.
Operation
load graded RCN, set speed, monitor the cut rate and adjust blade depth as nut condition changes through the day.
Daily
clean CNSL residue off blades and chutes before it hardens.
Periodic
blade sharpening and replacement on a schedule; worn blades degrade whole-kernel rate gradually enough to be missed.
All capacities are input kg/h on Size A nuts, quoted per 8-hour shift, and capacity varies with raw-nut size. A shelling line can run three shifts; a complete plant cannot. This page covers the knife family — for the compact automatic head lines see the shelling machine page. Cost is quoted per configuration and per destination rather than listed: see what drives shelling machine cost and contact us for price.
The cutting deck, close up
The process, drawn
Two shelling families — compare within one, never across
Head machines and knife machines are separate ranges, not points on one scale. Reading a head-line capacity against a knife-line capacity is how "16 Head" ends up quoted at 700 kg/h.
- 4 Head line ~140 kg/h
- 10 Head line 350 kg/h
- 16 Head line 560 kg/h
- 2 × 10 Head line 700 kg/h
- 4-knife machine 230 kg/h
- 10-knife machine 400–500 kg/h
- 16-knife line 700 kg/h
- 4 × 10-knife line 1,000–1,200 kg/h
All capacities are Size A input, per 8-hour shift; capacity varies with raw-nut size. "16 Head" is 560 kg/h always. 700 kg/h belongs to the 16-knife line or the 2 × 10 Head line. 1,000–1,200 kg/h comes only from the 4 × 10-knife line.
What happens to 100 nuts at the cutter
Three numbers describe a cut, and they only mean anything read together.
A machine quoting a high whole-cutting rate alongside a high uncut rate is simply cutting shy: the throughput lost to recirculation cancels the gain. All three depend on grading and steaming being right upstream.
Where it fits in the process
Cutting is the shelling stage — it follows steaming and precedes borma drying. The separated shell is routed to the shell burner for energy recovery.
Cashew Nut Cutting Machine — FAQ
Is cutting the same as shelling?
Semi-automatic or fully automatic — which should I choose?
How often do blades need service?
Get a quote on the Cashew Nut Cutting Machine
Tell us your target capacity and grades. We'll come back with the right configuration, a layout and a costed proposal.