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Machines
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Agricultural Machinery and Robotics: Design, Control and Applications
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Agricultural Machinery and Robotics: Design, Control and Applications

A special issue of Machines (ISSN 2075-1702). This special issue belongs to the section "Machine Design and Theory".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2024) | Viewed by 6097

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Leonardo Vita

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), Via Fontana Candida, 1, Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy
Interests: agricultural and construction machinery; occupational health and safety (OHS); standardization; finite element analysis
Dr. Davide Gattamelata

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), Monte Porzio Catone, 00078 Rome, Italy
Interests: occupational health and safety (OHS); agricultural machinery; safety; standardization; agricultural engineering: finite elements and dynamic analyses
Prof. Dr. Massimo Cecchini

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agricultural and Forestry sciences (DAFNE), University of Tuscia, Via S. Camillo de Lellis, SNC, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
Interests: agricultural machinery; occupational safety and health; ergonomics; agriculture; energy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Over the last few decades, the agricultural sector has faced fast growth in terms of the utilization of robots as well as in the investigation of autonomous agricultural machines. Moreover, attention on precision and smart farming is increasing, with the ultimate aim of achieving sustainable development objectives and decreasing operational expenditures in agricultural operations. In addition, the use of artificial intelligence, Internet of Things and digital twin processes is increasing incessantly. This significant improvement in technologies, processes and equipment in the agricultural sector is also due to the activity of many researchers around the globe. Moreover, these new technologies applied to agricultural machinery contribute to improving safety levels in a sector characterized by a significant number of accidents. Furthermore, smart equipment and robots play significant roles in the reduction of exposure to potentially hazardous atmospheres, in the improvement of ergonomic working conditions and in the reduction of adverse impacts on the environment.

This Special Issue will be devoted to state-of-the-art research on agricultural machinery for smart and precision farming, as well as the use of robots and cobots in agriculture. Prospective authors are invited to submit original papers to this Special issue.

The topics of interest include but are not limited to:

  • machinery and equipment for smart farming;
  • autonomous agricultural machines;
  • robots and cobots in agriculture;
  • smart vision and image recognition in the agricultural sector;
  • safety devices for operator and environment protection.

Dr. Leonardo Vita
Dr. Davide Gattamelata
Prof. Dr. Massimo Cecchini
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Machines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • smart and precision farming
  • field robotics
  • autonomous agricultural machinery
  • agricultural machine vision
  • operator and environment protection

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 9591 KiB  
Article
Investigation of the Effect of Pumping Depth and Frequency of Flapping Hydrofoil on Suspended Matter Discharge Characteristics
by Ertian Hua, Mingwang Xiang, Tao Wang, Yabo Song, Caiju Lu and Qizong Sun
Machines 2024, 12(5), 300; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines12050300 - 29 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1159
Abstract
In order to study the effect of the pumping depth and pumping frequency of the flapping hydrofoil device on suspended solids in the waters, this paper takes raceway aquaculture as an example, and introduces a flapping hydrofoil device to improve the discharge of [...] Read more.
In order to study the effect of the pumping depth and pumping frequency of the flapping hydrofoil device on suspended solids in the waters, this paper takes raceway aquaculture as an example, and introduces a flapping hydrofoil device to improve the discharge of suspended solids in the raceway, in response to the problem of the deposition of suspended solids from fish faeces and bait residues in water. The CFD method was used to compare and analyze the discharge of suspended solids at different pumping depths, and the combined effect of the two was studied according to different combinations of pumping frequency and pumping depth. The results proved that the flapping hydrofoil motion can improve the bottom hydrodynamic insufficiency in ecological waters and thus enhance the discharge effect of suspended particles in water. In addition, the pumping depth of the flapping hydrofoil is too deep for the movement to be disturbed by the bottom surface, while the thrust generated by the flapping hydrofoil is weakened if the depth is too shallow. When the pump water depth is 1.1 H, the reversed Kármán vortex street is more stable under the balancing effect of the bottom surface and gravity, and the rate curve of the flapping hydrofoil acting on the discharge of suspended particles is better. From our comprehensive consideration of the joint effect of the pumping depth and pumping frequency, we recommend the use of a 1.1 H of pumping depth and 2.0 Hz pumping frequency in combination to achieve the best effect of discharging suspended particles. This study provides valuable insights into the actual engineering applications of flapping hydrofoil devices for improving water quality and ecological sustainability in raceway aquaculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Machinery and Robotics: Design, Control and Applications)
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14 pages, 2145 KiB  
Article
Innovative Device for Automated Monitoring of Table Olive Fermentation Parameters: First Experimental Results
by Rossella Manganiello, Mauro Pagano, Roberto Ciccoritti, Massimo Cecchini, Carla Cedrola, Paolo Mattei and Roberto Tomasone
Machines 2023, 11(8), 771; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines11080771 - 25 Jul 2023
Viewed by 1111
Abstract
The table olive sector is highly important to the Italian agri-food industry. To produce quality table olives without defects in appearance, flavors, or aroma and to meet consumer expectations, special precautions must be taken to limit side effects associated with transformation and storage [...] Read more.
The table olive sector is highly important to the Italian agri-food industry. To produce quality table olives without defects in appearance, flavors, or aroma and to meet consumer expectations, special precautions must be taken to limit side effects associated with transformation and storage processes. During these processes, essential to debitter and stabilize the final product, drupes may undergo undesirable fermentations due to changes in the olive-to-brine ratio, temperature changes, and alteration of the brine’s chemico–physical parameters, thus decreasing their commercial and nutritional value. An innovative user-friendly system, equipped with low-cost digital and sensorized devices, has been engineered and realized for step-by-step batch monitoring of table olive storage brines. The main fermentation parameters (i.e., temperature, pH, salinity, free acidity, volatile acidity, and residual sodium hydroxide) of virgin, compliant, and altered brines were analyzed with both the automated prototype and Official reference methods, with the aim of testing the functionality of the prototype device and verifying the reliability and repeatability of the measurements. Good linearity was observed for all parameters examined, with a relatively low mean deviation between the two approaches. It is therefore possible to constantly monitor brine conformity automatically during the processing stages, benefiting product quality and environmental, energy, and economic sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Machinery and Robotics: Design, Control and Applications)
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18 pages, 3707 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Hydraulic Characteristics of Electrohydraulic Proportional Valve (EHPV) for an Auto-Steering Tractor Application
by Yi-Seo Min, Yong-Joo Kim, Ryu-Gap Lim, Taeyong Sim, Taek-Jin Kim and Wan-Soo Kim
Machines 2023, 11(7), 674; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines11070674 - 22 Jun 2023
Viewed by 1530
Abstract
The performance of the electrohydraulic proportional control valve (EHPV) employed in a tractor’s automatic steering system directly influences the steering performance. To develop a highly reliable EHPV, it is essential to analyze the hydraulic characteristics of the EHPV for several working conditions of [...] Read more.
The performance of the electrohydraulic proportional control valve (EHPV) employed in a tractor’s automatic steering system directly influences the steering performance. To develop a highly reliable EHPV, it is essential to analyze the hydraulic characteristics of the EHPV for several working conditions of tractors. This study aimed to measure and analyze the hydraulic characteristics of the EHPV according to tractor working conditions. The flow rate and pressure data of the EHPV were computed through the valve measuring system, and the required power was computed. The experimental conditions were selected based on engine rotational speed and tractor steering angle. As a result, it was discovered that the flow rate, pressure, and power all increased when the engine rotation speed and steering angle conditions increased. Furthermore, the rates of increase in flow rate, pressure, and power based on the increase in the steering angle were higher than when the engine rotation speed increased. In the regression analysis results between the two variables and the hydraulic characteristics of EHPVs, the steering angle demonstrated a higher correlation than the engine rotation speed. In conclusion, the steering angle and engine rotational speed are the major variables in the hydraulic characteristics of EHPVs, and the influence of the steering angle is greater. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Machinery and Robotics: Design, Control and Applications)
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15 pages, 4149 KiB  
Article
Research on HMCVT Parameter Design Optimization Based on the Service Characteristics of Agricultural Machinery in the Whole Life Cycle
by Zhun Cheng and Zhixiong Lu
Machines 2023, 11(6), 596; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines11060596 - 1 Jun 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1312
Abstract
The HMCVT (Hydro-mechanical Continuously Variable Transmission) can realize continuously variable speed in a large range and transmit high power through power diving, and thus, it is widely applied in agricultural machineries, such as tractors. The engineering technology requirements of precision agriculture and intelligent [...] Read more.
The HMCVT (Hydro-mechanical Continuously Variable Transmission) can realize continuously variable speed in a large range and transmit high power through power diving, and thus, it is widely applied in agricultural machineries, such as tractors. The engineering technology requirements of precision agriculture and intelligent agriculture have put forward higher requests for the research and development of HMCVT. In order to further improve the performance of HMCVT in the design stage and match the service characteristics of agricultural tractors in the whole life cycle, this paper proposes a new HMCVT optimization design method which mainly consists of 5 steps. The proposed method takes the regular and continuous transmission ratio variation, matching the working requirements in the whole life cycle of agricultural tractors and transmission efficiency maximization as comprehensive objectives. The improved genetic algorithm (I-GA) is applied. The HMCVT efficiency characteristic model combines the characteristic efficiency model of the hydraulic system, which has been verified, and the theoretical calculation model based on the engaging power method. By analyzing the statistical data of the tractor speed operating frequency in the whole life cycle, the proposed method is used to determine the weight of each hydro-mechanical power dividing stage (i.e., HM stage) service time. In the design process, the HMCVT efficiency is integrated with the displacement ratio so as to realize the evaluation of the maximum efficiency in the whole life cycle of the tractor. Research results show that the proposed method can improve HMCVT performance significantly, and the mean error between speed regulating characteristics and expected value in design is 1.04% or so. The HMCVT service efficiency in the whole life cycle of the tractor has been improved by 19.93%. The research in the paper offers a valuable reference for getting the law of HMCVT characteristics and performance improvement design of tractors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Machinery and Robotics: Design, Control and Applications)
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