CONSTRUCTION OF A DISCRETE ELEMENT MODEL OF BUCKWHEAT SEEDS AND CALIBRATION OF PARAMETERS

In view of the lack of seeds contact parameters that can be used as a reference for the design of key mechanical components such as buckwheat planting, harvesting, and processing, this study combines simulation optimization design experiments and physical experiments to calibrate the parameters of simulated discrete element of buckwheat seeds. The non-spherical particle model of buckwheat seeds was established using the automatic filling method, and the simulation accumulating test and physical accumulating test were carried out using the bottomless conical cylinder lifting method; the repose angle of buckwheat seeds was taken as the response value, and the initial parameters were screened for significance based on the Plackett-Burman test; and a second-order regression model of the error value for the repose angle and the significance parameter was established based on the steepest climb test and Box-Behnken test. On this basis, the minimum error value of the repose angle was used as the goal to optimize the significance parameter, the optimal combination of contact parameters was obtained, and parameter validation tests were carried out. The significance screening test showed that the buckwheat-buckwheat static friction coefficient, the buckwheat-stainless steel rolling friction coefficient, and the buckwheat-stainless steel restitution coefficient had significant effects on the repose angle of buckwheat (P<0.05). The optimization test showed that the buckwheat-buckwheat static friction coefficient was 0.510, the buckwheat stainless steel rolling friction coefficient was 0.053, and the buckwheat-stainless steel restitution coefficient was 0.492. The validation test showed that the repose angle of buckwheat seeds under such parameter was 25.39 degrees, and the error with the repose angle of the physical test was 0.55%, which indicated that the optimal parameter combination was reliable. This study could provide a seed model and simulation contact parameters for the research and development of buckwheat sowing, threshing and hulling machinery.