Geometric and kinematic parameters of vibrating knife in the development of cutting machines

The process of cutting with a blade is largely applied in agricultural equipment and is used to process raw materials with different physical and mechanical properties. Nonetheless, the functional relation between the kinematic parameters of a vibroblade and the crucial power parameters of the vibration processing has not yet been studied in great depth so far. This type of studies is essential to create databases for further investigation and design of novel cutting machinery or technologies to ensure effective processing of vibrocutting. Our objective was to obtain the power characteristics of vibrocutting through laboratory experiments [using the example of vibrocutting of common reed (Phragmites australis)] and define the combination of factors (i.e., vibration amplitude, frequency and the blade feeding speed) at the minimum cutting force. The following relation of the blade feeding speed (V) and vibration speed of the toothed blade (V_t) has been established as optimal kinematic regime: K≅0.004. Tests have indicated that use of toothed blades for vibrocutting of the raw products of plant origin offers a greater advantage over the blades with flat edges. An optimal cutting regime, when energy expenses are at a minimum, was ensured with the following parameters of the vibroblade: vibration amplitude: 14 mm, frequency: 33.32 s^–1, the blade feeding speed: 7.5×10^–3 m.