Dropping impact experiment on corn seeds

In order to reduce the mechanical damage of corn seeds in the threshing process and master the impact crushing mechanism of corn seeds, the impact crushing experiments on corn seeds of different varieties were conducted using the dropping impact test-bed. The mechanical properties of corn seeds of different moisture contents at different impact locations were analyzed. The experimental results showed that the maximum impact forces of corn seeds were reduced with the increasing of the moisture contents. The maximum impact forces of corn seeds at different impact locations were significantly different. At the same moisture content, the maximum impact force at ventral side of corn seed was the largest, the side of corn seed took the second place, and the force at the top surface of corn seed was the least. At the same impact location, the maximum impact forces of different varieties were different because of the internal structure and shape of corn seed. This research has important meanings for future research on mechanical properties and damage mechanism of corn seeds, and it is also useful for developing directional-feeding threshing.