Experimental Investigation on Friction and Wear Behavior of the Vertical Spindle and V-belt of a Cotton Picker.

Auezhan Amanov,Tileubay Amanov,Jan Sembiring

doi:10.3390/ma12050773

Abstract

This study deals with the friction and wear behavior of the vertical spindle and V-belt to improve the reliability, operation and to extend the service life of a cotton picker. The vertical spindle made of low-carbon steel (ST3) was treated by the ultrasonic nanocrystal surface modification (UNSM) technique to control the friction and wear behavior. It was found that the UNSM technique reduced surface roughness and increased surface hardness of the vertical spindle. The friction and wear behavior of the vertical spindle and V-belt was assessed by carrying out tribological tests and the results showed that the UNSM-treated vertical spindle generated a higher friction coefficient compared to the untreated one due to having less slip. In case of wear resistance, unmeasurable wear occurred on the surface of the vertical spindle due to its significant high hardness compared to the hardness of the V-belt that came into contact with the vertical spindle in relative motion. Hence, the wear behavior and mechanisms of the V-belts were systematically investigated and also discussed based on the wear track profiles and micrographs. It can be concluded that the application of the UNSM technique to the vertical spindle may contribute to improve the performance of cotton pickers by reducing the slip and prolonging the service life.

Highlights

It is well known that vertical spindle drums of cotton pickers consist of a gland cylinder with protrusions on the outer surface and spindles
The objective of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of the ultrasonic nanocrystal surface modification (UNSM) technique on the friction coefficient and wear resistance of the vertical spindle in comparison with the untreated one that comes into contact with the V-belt
Surface roughness is related to the number of asperities which affect the friction behavior by changing the true contact area of mating surfaces [19]

Summary

Introduction

It is well known that vertical spindle drums of cotton pickers consist of a gland cylinder with protrusions on the outer surface and spindles. The belt transmission driving mechanism is widely used to transmit power and motion in vertical spindle drums of cotton pickers. The reason for this is that this driving system has some benefits such as the possibility of decreasing and increasing the rotating speed of the vertical spindle with many possible speed ratios, high efficiency, cleanliness and low noise, and it does not require lubrication [3]. One of the implementations of this mechanism can be found in vertical spindle drums of cotton pickers for transmitting motion from the actuator to the several vertical spindles around the main shaft of the actuator.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion