The present research was developed to mechanize the process of corn husking that would permit the husks to be used as wrapping for tamales or for their use in the making of handicrafts. After determining the physical-mechanical properties of the ears of corn, a conceptual design and the details of the machine were made. The prototype was then constructed and evaluated. The technological process consisted of two principle activities: cutting off the butt of the ear of corn and husking the remains. The cut is made with a smooth blade, while the husking takes place as a result of friction between the surface of the ear of corn and the rollers that turned in the opposite direction and at a different speed. The corncob is expulsed to the side because of the movement of the rollers and the husk that goes between these. The productivity of the machine is 790 ears of corn•h 1 at a feeding speed of 0.03 m•s 1. Tests showed husking at 95 %, mechanical damage to the husks at 1.4 % and up to 11 % of the husked corn had husks with a humidity of 50.4 %. The dependence of the energy of court depending on the diameter of the ear was determined. An evaluation of the amount of electricity used in the case of a smooth blade as compared to a toothed one determined that the latter requires 6.5 % more electricity.

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