Analysis and optimization of control cam mechanism in a roller-type corn finger planter based on DEM and MBD coupling technology

Authors

  • Tinghao Deng School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
  • Wuyun Zhao School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
  • Linrong Shi School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
  • Bugong Sun School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
  • Tianshan Qi School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China
  • Hui Li School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25165/ijabe.v18i1.9322

Keywords:

corn, roller-type corn finger planter, control cam, DEM-MBD, coupling simulation

Abstract

The application of plastic mulch in the arid regions of northwest China has demonstrated significant advantages, making roller-type hole sowing on mulch a key agricultural trend. In order to enhance the performance of a roller-type corn finger planter equipped with finger pickups. This study analyzed the motion patterns of corn seeds within the device and investigated the effects of control cam parameters, including pickup section, vibration section, pickup stroke angle, and torsion spring force, on seed-metering performance. Using DEM-MBD coupling technology, single-factor experiments and second-order orthogonal rotational combination simulation experiments were conducted. The optimal parameter is that pickup section stroke angle is 78.98°, vibration section stroke angle is 20.07°, and a normal force is 2.99 N, which was validated through bench tests, achieving a seed-metering qualification rate of 93.86%, a missed seeding rate of 3.19%, and a reseeding rate of 2.95%. These results met the standards and agronomic requirements, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed optimization method. It provides a foundation for improving the precision and reliability of roller-type corn seed-metering devices. Keywords: corn, roller-type corn finger planter, control cam, DEM-MBD, coupling simulation DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20251801.9322 Citation: Deng T H, Zhao W Y, Shi L R, Sun B G, Qi T S, Li H. Analysis and optimization of control cam mechanism in a roller-type corn finger planter based on DEM and MBD coupling technology. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2025; 18(1): 143–153.

References

Liu Q W, Cui T, Zhang D X, Yang L, Wang Y X, He X T, et al. Design and experimental study of seed precise delivery mechanism for high-speed maize planter. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2018; 11(4): 81–87.

National statistical office. Announcement by the national statistical office on grain production data for 2023. 2023. Available: https://www.gov.cn/lianbo/bumen/202312/content_6919545.htm. Accessed on [2024-04-25].

Huang Z F, Xue J, Ming B, Wang K R, Xie R Z, Hou P, et al. Analysis of factors affecting the impurity rate of mechanically-harvested maize grain in China. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2020; 13(5): 17–22.

Li Y H, Yang L, Zhang D X, Cui T, Zhang K L, Xie C J, et al. Analysis and test of linear seeding process of Corn high speed precision metering device with air suction. Transactions of the CSAE, 2020; 36(9): 26–35. (in Chinese)

Dong J X, Zhang S L, Zheng Z Z, Wu H T, Huang Y X, Gao X J Development of a novel perforated type precision metering device for efficient and cleaner production of maize. Journal of Cleaner Production, 443(2024): 140928.

Yang L, Yan B X, Zhang D X, Zhang T L, Wang Y X, Cui T. Research progress on precision planting technology of corn. Transactions of the CSAM, 2016; 47(11): 38–48. (in Chinese)

Wang J W, Tang H, Wang J F, Shen H G, Feng X, Wang H N. Analysis and experiment of guiding and dropping migratory mechanism on pickup dropping migratory mechanism on pickup. Transactions of the CSAM, 2017; 48(1): 29–37,46. (in Chinese)

Dai F, Zhao Y M, Liu Y X, Shi R J, Xin S L, Fu Q F, et al. Analysis and performance test on dynamic seed corn threshing and conveying process with variable diameter and spacing. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2023; 16(2): 259–266.

Shi L R, Zhao W Y, Hua C T, Rao G, Wang Z. Study on the intercropping mechanism and seeding improvement of the cavity planter with vertical insertion using DEM-MBD coupling method. Agriculture, 2022; 12: 1567.

Li H, Zhao W Y, Shi L R, Dai F, Rao G, Wang Z. Design and test of seed ladle tongue type flax precision burrow planter. Transactions of the CSAM, 2024; 55(3): 85–95. (in Chinese)

Zhang C Y, Kang J M, Peng Q J, Zhang N N, Wang X Y, Jian S C. Design and test of secondary seed feeding mechanism of air-suction roller dibbler for cotton. Transactions of the CSAM, 2021; 52(6): 106–116. (in Chinese)

Zhang X J, Cheng J P, Shi Z L, Wang J M, Fu H, Wu H F. Simulation and experiment of seed taking performance of swing-clamp type corn precision seed-metering device. Transactions of the CSAM, 2023; 54(4): 38–50. (in Chinese)

Li C, Cui T, Zhang D X, Yang L, He X T, Jing M S, et al. Design shaped hole inserts by simulating and analysing the high-speed filling posture of maize seed particles. ScienceDirect, 2023; 232: 29–50.

Lu B, Ni X D, Li K Z, Li S F, Qi Q Z, Shao W P. Simulation analysis and experiment of seed discharge performance of high-speed hole seeder based on EDEM. Journal of Chinese Agricultural Mechanization, 2024; 45(2): 49–54. (in Chinese) DOI: 10.13733/j.jcam.issn.2095 5553.2024.02.008

Shi L R, Zhao W Y, Rao G, Wang Z. Modeling of typically shaped corn seeds and calibration of the coefficient of rolling friction. Agronomy, 2023; 13: 1573.

Takayama T. vickers hardness mechanical models and thermoplastic polymer injection-molded products’ static friction coefficients. Manufacturing and Materials Processing, 2024; 8(1): 11;

Shi L R, Zhao W Y, Sun W, Yang X P, Wang G P, Xin S L. Analysis of the metering performance for typical shapemaize seeds using DEM. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2023; 16(1): 26–35.

Horabik J, Molenda M. Parameters and contact models for DEM simulations of agricultural granular materials. Biosystems Engineering, 2016; 147: 206–225.

Wang L J, Zhou W X, Ding Z J, Li X X, Zhang C G. Experimental determination of parameter effects on the coefficient of restitution of differently shaped corn in three-dimensions. Powder Technol, 2015; 284: 187–194.

Markauskas D, Ramírez-Gómez Á, Kačianauskas R, Zdancevičius E. Corn grain shape approaches for DEM modelling. Compute. Electron. Agric., 2015; 118: 247–258.

Sun Y H, Guo J H, Shi L R. Design and parameter optimization of air-suction wheel type of seed-metering device with elastic pad for maize. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2024; 17(4): 116–127.

Wang J W, Tang H, Guan R, Li X, Bai H C, Tian L Q. Optimization design and experiment on clamping static and dynamic finger-spoon maize precision seed metering device. Transactions of the CSAM, 2017; 48(12): 48–57. (in Chinese)

National Technical Committee for the Standardisation of Agricultural Machinery. Test method for single grain (precision) planter: GB/6973-2005. Beijing: China Standard Press. 2006. (in Chinese)

Downloads

Published

2025-03-07

How to Cite

Deng, T., Zhao, W., Shi, L., Sun, B., Qi, T., & Li, H. (2025). Analysis and optimization of control cam mechanism in a roller-type corn finger planter based on DEM and MBD coupling technology. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, 18(1), 143–153. https://doi.org/10.25165/ijabe.v18i1.9322

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 1 (2025): IJABE

Section

Power and Machinery Systems

License

IJABE is an international peer reviewed open access journal, adopting Creative Commons Copyright Notices as follows.


Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:


  1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.

  2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.

  3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).