Development of a rotary push-cut-type negative-pressure-airflow end-effector for harvesting safflower filaments

Authors

  • Zhenguo Zhang 1. College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China 4. Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Intelligent Agricultural Equipment, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6970-6445
  • Zhenyu Xing 1. College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China 2. Key Laboratory of Modern Agricultural Equipment and Technology (Jiangsu University), Ministry of Education, Zhenjiang 212013, China 3. College of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China 4. Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Intelligent Agricultural Equipment, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China
  • Minyi Zhao College of Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University
  • Peng Xu College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Xinjiang Agricultural University
  • Quanfeng Guo 1. College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China 4. Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Intelligent Agricultural Equipment, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China
  • Chao Zeng 1. College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China 4. Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Intelligent Agricultural Equipment, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China
  • Ruimeng Shi 1. College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China 4. Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Intelligent Agricultural Equipment, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China
  • Yunze Wang 1. College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China 4. Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Intelligent Agricultural Equipment, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25165/ijabe.v18i3.9722

Keywords:

harvesting, safflower filaments, end-effector, rotary push-cut type, negative-pressure airflow

Abstract

Safflower is one of the most important oil crops worldwide. To improve the efficiency and quality of harvesting soft safflower filaments, minimize filament damage by the blade, and ensure the integrity of the filaments, an end-effector with a rotary push-cut-type negative-pressure airflow was designed. The design of the rotary blade edge curve was based on Archimedean and logarithmic spirals. The effect of the Archimedean spiral on the pushing of the scattered filaments was investigated. The rotary-cutting force and speed of the logarithmic helix on the soft filaments were analyzed. The sliding cut angle and feed speed of the blade are the key factors governing filament removal and damage. A simulation model of the cutting chamber flow field was established for the change in airflow with the position and speed rotation of the blade, allowing analysis of the parameters of the negative-pressure airflow. Single-factor and Box-Behnken tests were performed with the sliding cut angle, blade feed speed, and negative-pressure airflow speed as influencing factors and filament removal, damage, and drop rate as indices. The response surface clarified the effects of various factors on these indices. Optimal parameters were a sliding cut angle of 32.20°, a blade feeding speed of 0.031 m/s, and a negative-pressure airflow speed of 4.57 m/s. The corresponding filament removal, damage, and drop rates were 93.47%, 6.94%, and 4.33%, respectively. Optimization results showed that filament removal, damage, and drop rates were 93.50%, 7.02%, and 4.43%, respectively. The harvesting process met the requirements of high efficiency and low damage. Keywords: harvesting, safflower filaments, end-effector, rotary push-cut type, negative-pressure airflow DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20251803.9722 Citation: Zhang Z G, Xing Z Y, Zhao M Y, Xu P, Guo Q F, Zeng C, et al. Development of a rotary push-cut-type negativepressure-airflow end-effector for harvesting safflower filaments. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2025; 18(3): 82–96.

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Published

2025-06-30

How to Cite

Zhang, Z., Xing, Z., Zhao, M., Xu, P., Guo, Q., Zeng, C., … Wang, Y. (2025). Development of a rotary push-cut-type negative-pressure-airflow end-effector for harvesting safflower filaments. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, 18(3), 82–96. https://doi.org/10.25165/ijabe.v18i3.9722

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 3 (2025): IJABE

Section

Power and Machinery Systems

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