A mathematical model of potato cutting with comb knives

The paper proposes an original design of a universal rotary feed grinder. A mathematical model of the root crop cutting process with comb knives in a rotary chopper has been developed. An analytical dependence has been determined that enables to establish relationships between design and operating parameters, providing a scientific basis for the design of energy-efficient choppers that reflects the forces acting upon the root crop during chopping, the trajectory of the root crop and knife, and the cutting process itself. An appropriate knife comb angle of 20–25 degrees was determined, reducing the specific cutting force by 28.5% and the cutting work by 21%. It has been revealed that increasing the cutting speed from 1 to 30 m/s resulted in a 51% reduction in specific cutting force. A sufficiently high level of reliability of the research results is substantiated since the comparison of experimental data with simulation results demonstrated high reliability of the model, as the discrepancy does not exceed 7%.