Hybrid taguchi-grey relational analysis approach for optimizing cutter operational parameters in selective cauliflower harvesting
Abstract Cauliflower is an important winter crop grown in India, its curds are rich in nutritional profile, containing valuable minerals and vitamins. However, cauliflower harvesting is mainly accomplished by hands, which is time-consuming and requires a high labour force. On the other hand, most de...
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Nature Portfolio
2024-11-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-81323-z |
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| author | Ajay Kushwah P. K. Sharma H. L. Kushwaha Brij Bihari Sharma A. K. Shrivastava Ramineni Harsha Nag Manojit Chowdhury Gopal Carpenter Rashmi Yadav |
| author_facet | Ajay Kushwah P. K. Sharma H. L. Kushwaha Brij Bihari Sharma A. K. Shrivastava Ramineni Harsha Nag Manojit Chowdhury Gopal Carpenter Rashmi Yadav |
| author_sort | Ajay Kushwah |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Cauliflower is an important winter crop grown in India, its curds are rich in nutritional profile, containing valuable minerals and vitamins. However, cauliflower harvesting is mainly accomplished by hands, which is time-consuming and requires a high labour force. On the other hand, most developed cauliflower harvesters are once over or single pass type, which harvests all plants irrespective of their maturity. So, the selective harvester could improve the cauliflower curds yield, and then decrease the labour requirement. To improve the cutting performance of the selective cauliflower harvester, the working parameters of the chainsaw cutting mechanism need to be considered and optimized. This research investigates the impact of cutting height, feed (push) force, and cutting speed on the efficiency of the cutter during harvest. The Taguchi approach, together with grey relational analysis (GRA), was employed to identify the most favorable combination of operational parameters. In addition, the variance analysis was conducted to statistically examine the impact of multiple parameters. The findings indicated that the feed force was the major parameter that influenced the cutting force, splitting failure levels, and cutting time. The most effective parameter combination consisted of a cutting height of 15 mm, a feed force of 10 N, and a cutting speed of 5 m/s. The grey relational grade of the ideal parameter combination has shown a 0.322 increase in comparison to the grade achieved with the initially selected parameter combination. This setting was further incorporated in the developed selective cauliflower harvester to improve the performance of its cutting mechanism. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-867a7e9be1a14c86b35ea7314c3af245 |
| institution | DOAJ |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| spelling | doaj-art-867a7e9be1a14c86b35ea7314c3af2452025-08-20T02:49:15ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-11-0114111410.1038/s41598-024-81323-zHybrid taguchi-grey relational analysis approach for optimizing cutter operational parameters in selective cauliflower harvestingAjay Kushwah0P. K. Sharma1H. L. Kushwaha2Brij Bihari Sharma3A. K. Shrivastava4Ramineni Harsha Nag5Manojit Chowdhury6Gopal Carpenter7Rashmi Yadav8Research Scholar, Division of Agricultural Engineering, ICAR-IARIPrincipal Scientist, Division of Agricultural Engineering, ICAR-IARIHead, Division of Agricultural Engineering and Renewable Energy, ICAR-CAZRIDepartment of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture & Forestry, RLBCAUDean, College of Agricultural Engineering, JNKVVResearch Scholar, Division of Agricultural Engineering, ICAR-IARIResearch Scholar, Division of Agricultural Engineering, ICAR-IARIScientist, ICAR-Central Institute of Agricultural EngineeringResearch Scholar, Water Technology Center, ICAR-IARIAbstract Cauliflower is an important winter crop grown in India, its curds are rich in nutritional profile, containing valuable minerals and vitamins. However, cauliflower harvesting is mainly accomplished by hands, which is time-consuming and requires a high labour force. On the other hand, most developed cauliflower harvesters are once over or single pass type, which harvests all plants irrespective of their maturity. So, the selective harvester could improve the cauliflower curds yield, and then decrease the labour requirement. To improve the cutting performance of the selective cauliflower harvester, the working parameters of the chainsaw cutting mechanism need to be considered and optimized. This research investigates the impact of cutting height, feed (push) force, and cutting speed on the efficiency of the cutter during harvest. The Taguchi approach, together with grey relational analysis (GRA), was employed to identify the most favorable combination of operational parameters. In addition, the variance analysis was conducted to statistically examine the impact of multiple parameters. The findings indicated that the feed force was the major parameter that influenced the cutting force, splitting failure levels, and cutting time. The most effective parameter combination consisted of a cutting height of 15 mm, a feed force of 10 N, and a cutting speed of 5 m/s. The grey relational grade of the ideal parameter combination has shown a 0.322 increase in comparison to the grade achieved with the initially selected parameter combination. This setting was further incorporated in the developed selective cauliflower harvester to improve the performance of its cutting mechanism.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-81323-zSelective cauliflower harvestingTaguchi-based grey relational analysisChainsaw cutting mechanismCutting force |
| spellingShingle | Ajay Kushwah P. K. Sharma H. L. Kushwaha Brij Bihari Sharma A. K. Shrivastava Ramineni Harsha Nag Manojit Chowdhury Gopal Carpenter Rashmi Yadav Hybrid taguchi-grey relational analysis approach for optimizing cutter operational parameters in selective cauliflower harvesting Scientific Reports Selective cauliflower harvesting Taguchi-based grey relational analysis Chainsaw cutting mechanism Cutting force |
| title | Hybrid taguchi-grey relational analysis approach for optimizing cutter operational parameters in selective cauliflower harvesting |
| title_full | Hybrid taguchi-grey relational analysis approach for optimizing cutter operational parameters in selective cauliflower harvesting |
| title_fullStr | Hybrid taguchi-grey relational analysis approach for optimizing cutter operational parameters in selective cauliflower harvesting |
| title_full_unstemmed | Hybrid taguchi-grey relational analysis approach for optimizing cutter operational parameters in selective cauliflower harvesting |
| title_short | Hybrid taguchi-grey relational analysis approach for optimizing cutter operational parameters in selective cauliflower harvesting |
| title_sort | hybrid taguchi grey relational analysis approach for optimizing cutter operational parameters in selective cauliflower harvesting |
| topic | Selective cauliflower harvesting Taguchi-based grey relational analysis Chainsaw cutting mechanism Cutting force |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-81323-z |
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