Notes

**Conclusion on Fruit Impact Determination:**

The combined findings from the pendulum, drop, and compression tests provide a nuanced understanding of the mechanical responses of fruit to impact forces. In the pendulum test, varying the initial impact angle showcased a direct relationship between angle, absorbed energy, and bruise volume. The results highlight that as the impact angle increases, so does the transferred force, resulting in more substantial bruising. This establishes the importance of impact angle in predicting and managing fruit damage during handling. The drop test, conducted at different heights, further accentuated the impact of drop height on absorbed energy and bruise volume. Higher drops generated increased impact energy, leading to more severe bruising, offering valuable insights for optimizing packaging and transportation practices. The close match between observed and predicted Dmax values enhances the reliability of the drop test as a tool for assessing fruit impact.

In the compression test, the mechanical characteristics of apple flesh under compressive forces were explored using cylinders of varying sizes. Despite differences in size, both smaller and larger cylinders exhibited similar stress levels, implying uniform compressive stress endurance. The strain values indicated that larger cylinders underwent slightly more deformation than their original length. The consistent modulus of elasticity across cylinder sizes further emphasized uniformity in the apple flesh's elasticity. These insights from the compression test contribute to designing packaging materials and handling systems that account for the consistent mechanical behavior of fruits, ensuring minimal damage during compression events. Collectively, these tests offer a holistic perspective on fruit impact, enabling informed decision-making in post-harvest handling and transport logistics.