Research on Cutting Angle Design Optimization of Rubber Cutter Based on Discrete Element Method

Heng Zhang, Zhentuo Wen, Yaya Chen, Junxiao Liu (), Hongxin Liu, Zhifu Zhang and Xirui Zhang ()
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Heng Zhang: School of Information and Communication Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Zhentuo Wen: School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Yaya Chen: School of Information and Communication Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Junxiao Liu: School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Hongxin Liu: School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Suqian University, Suqian 223800, China
Zhifu Zhang: School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Xirui Zhang: School of Information and Communication Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China

Agriculture, 2023, vol. 13, issue 10, 1-20

Abstract: This paper focuses on obtaining fundamental data for optimizing the design of intelligent equipment for cutting natural rubber and its key components. It uses natural rubber bark as the research subject and employs specific experimental apparatus to measure the physical properties and contact coefficients of the rubber bark. The discrete element method, along with the Hertz–Mindlin model featuring bonding contacts, are employed to create a discrete element model of natural rubber bark. Parameters are calibrated, and model validation is performed. Subsequently, a one-factor simulation test is conducted to assess various cutting angles of the rubber cutter knife. A secondary Fourier fitting is applied to fit the curve to the average shear force values obtained from the simulation. The results indicate that the lowest average shear force, at 84.345 N, occurs within the range of cutting angles between 25° and 30°. The corresponding optimal cutting angle is 29.294°, suggesting that cutting with low resistance can be achieved at this angle, leading to reduced power consumption. Following a statistical analysis of field rubber-cutting tests conducted in a forest setting, it was found that the average power consumption for rubber-cutting operations under the optimal cutting angle is 0.96 W·h. Additionally, the volume of rubber discharged in the initial 5 min period is 6.53 mL. These findings hold significant importance for guiding the optimization and enhancement of the design of intelligent equipment for cutting natural rubber and its key components.

Keywords: natural rubber; discrete element method; rubber cutting blades; cutting angle; optimized design (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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