Modeling Research of a Combined Press Device for

Ridge-Till and No-Till Seeders

Hongqi Luo
College of Mechanical Engineering
Beijing Technology and Business University
Beijing, PR China
luohq@th.btbu.edu.cn

Abstract—On the basis of building the three-dimensional models

of compacting wheels, press cylinders, axis, tube and connecting
rods, the virtual assembly model of the combined press device for
ridge-till and no-till seeders was constructed with Autodesk
Inventor. Compacting wheels were developed to compact the
ridge sides. Press cylinders were designed to press the planting
zones. Two tubes were used to make the maize stubbles pass. The
parameters including materials behavior and rotation inertia of
key components can be acquired in the model and make for
dynamics analysis.
Keywords-Combined press device; Modeling; Conservation tillage;
Seeder
I. INTRODUCTION
Executing rational press is indispensable during seeding.
Press can not only lessen big interstice and air volume in soil,
add soil density on seeding zone and knit seeds and soil, but
also adjust slightly the depth of seeds in soil to make seeds in
the same depth, which can create a comfortable environment
for seed emergence. Integrating ridge tillage and conservation
tillage is an effective approach to dispose of the problem of
humidity keeping for traditional ridge-tillage [1, 2]. Research
on appropriate no-till seeders is a critical step to extend this
technology, while press device is a key component to
developing conservation seeders [1-3]. In terms of agriculture
conditions, a new combined press device for ridge-till and no-
till seeders will be designed with Inventor in this paper.
II. AGRICULTURE CONDITIONS AND STRUCTURAL DESIGN
It is difficult to treat with stubbles when seeding the next
crop after harvesting maize [3-5]. To solve the problem, a
wheat seeder has been designed according to the principle of
avoiding maize stubbles. When seeding, the driving tractor can
rely on the furrow guide to walk stably and linearly. Avoiding
stubble blockage can be realized when seeding with row-guide
and can reduce power consuming. The combined press device
is designed for the agricultural requirement of 6-row wheat
seeding wheat with high maize stubbles on each ridge. The
measurement of ridge shape and row space disposal can be
seen in Fig.1.
To ensure the seeding quality, the matched combined press-
device should be designed, which can press seeding zones and
ridge sides at the same time. The designing reasons for the
Fig.2 Designing reasons for the combined press device
combined press device are shown in Fig.2. The structure of
combined press roller is shown in Fig.3: using compacting
wheels to press bed sides because bedsides soil is loose after
reshaping; press cylinder a and cylinder b are used to press
seeding zone; the gap in position of tube can make the maize

Fig.3 Structure of the combined press device

Fig.1 Measurement of ridge shape and row space disposal
1 Axis 2 wheel hub 3 Compacting wheel
4 Press cylinder a 5 Tube 6 Press cylinder b

978-1-4244-9439-2/11/$26.00 ©2011 IEEE

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stubbles pass through when seeding.
III. MODELING OF MAIN PARTS
The main parts of the combined press device includes axis,
compacting wheel, press cylinders, tube, and so on. Autodesk
Inventor software takes manufacturers beyond 3D to digital
prototyping. With Inventor, it can create a single digital model
that gives the ability to design, visualize, and simulate
products. What’s more, it has functions of auto-adapted design,
Fig.4 Two parts of the compacting wheel
assembly connection design and parameterization of part size,
which can cost-effectively take advantage of a digital
prototyping workflow to design and build better products in
less time. The compacting wheel makes up of two parts, which
are shown in Fig.4. The two parts form an organic whole
through welding. Fig.5 shows the modeling of two press
cylinders. Models of the other parts are also constructed.
Otherwise, Autodesk Inventor Content Center libraries provide
standard parts (fasteners, steel shapes and shaft parts) and
Fig.5 Models of two press cylinders
features to insert in assembly.
IV. VIRTUAL MODEL OF THE DEVICE
Digital Prototyping needs assembling information of every
part, which is the main factor to make certain geometrical
situation. Assembly modeling combines the strategies of
placing existing components in an assembly, and creating other
components in place within the Edit Features of the assembly.
Assembly constraints establish the orientation of parts in the
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assembly and simulate mechanical relationships between
components.
On the basis of building the three dimensional models of
each parts, the virtual assembly model of the combined press
device is constructed, which is shown in Fig.6. Mate
constraints, tangent constraints, angle constraints, insert
constraints and drive constraints are all used in the complete
assemblies. A mate constraint positions selected faces parallel
to one another, with faces coincident or aligns parts adjacent to
one another with faces flush. An angle constraint positions
linear or planar faces on two components at a specified angle.
A tangent constraint between planes, cylinders, spheres, cones,
and ruled splines causes geometry to contact at the point of
tangency. Tangency can be inside or outside a curve. An insert
constraint positions cylindrical features with planar faces
perpendicular to the cylinder axis. The Motion tab has the
following constraints to specify intended motion ratios between
assembly components. A rotation constraint specifies rotation
of one part relative to another part using a specified ratio. A
rotation-translation constraint specifies rotation of one part
Connecting rod
Fig.6 Model of the combined press device
relative to translation of a second part. In assembly, Drive
Constraints are placed to the axis with other parts in order to
simulate mechanical motion by driving a constraint through a
sequence of steps for further research in the future. Two
connecting rods are used to join the combined press device and
the frame of seeder through bolts [6].
V. ANALYZING THE MODEL OF COMBINED PRESS DEVICE
Parameters including materials behavior and rotation inertia
of key components can be acquired in this model and make for
designing the simulating model for dynamics analysis software.
Mass parameters are made up of weight, center of mass and
rotation inertia of every moving part. When some part is added
to the seeder during the designing course, Figure 7 shows that
center of mass should be inquired in time for further analysis.
If the virtual model is used to simulate, material of each part
should be defined to get the physical properties of gravity and
rotation inertia. For example, Figure 8 is the definition of one
part of the compacting wheel, and other parts can be finished in
the same way.

Fig.7 Refreshing center of mass
Different press devices are often required because of the
diversity of agriculture condition and cropping system (such as
different ridge height, row space, ridge shape, planting distance
etc) [7, 8]. Through updating the dimension of correlative parts
of the device during the course of design with the Inventor
software, other similar devices may be designed conveniently,
which satisfies the different demands of every area and
shortens the designing period.
Fig.8 Material definition of one part
Similar press devices have parts that differ by size,
material, or other variables, although the same design works in
many other models. It can create these designs as iParts, and
then use one or more of the variations. It can use the iPart
Author to create part families that contain a table. For standard
iParts, each iPart variation is an iPart member, which is defined
by a row in this table. When placing the part in an assembly,
Fig.9 Creating a table-driven “iPart”
select the row (member) needed. Use the Create iPart
command to define one or more table rows that represent
members of the iPart factory, specifying variations of its
parameters, properties, thread information, iMate information,
feature suppressions, and work features. Optionally, create only
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one row in the iPart table, and then add additional rows by
editing the spreadsheet. It can take advantage of copying and
pasting, formulas, and other spreadsheet commands.
For example, it can create a table-driven “iPart” for the
hemisphere of compacting wheel and use it to create a table-
driven “iFeature” if the entire part is going to be used as an
“iFeature”, which is shown in Fig.9. Once the table-driven
“iFeature” is saved to the catalog location, use the “iFeature” to
make changes to the table.
VI. CONCLUSIONS
Traditional agricultural machine must be taken long time to
test and manufacture, which results in more costs and longer
period. In this paper, one combined press device is developed
to press ridge sides and planting zones simultaneously. After
building the three dimensional models of each part, the virtual
assembly model of the combined press device for ridge-till and
no-till seeders is constructed with Autodesk Inventor. Through
updating the dimension of correlative parts of the device during
the course of design, other similar devices may be designed
conveniently, which satisfies the different demands of every
area and shortens the designing period.
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