Parameters' optimization and verification for processing tomato fruit-seedling separation

In order to meet the needs of localization in China about the self-propelled tomato harvester, two methods of CCD (central composite design) and RSM (response surface methodology) were employed to optimize the performance of fruit-seedling separation. The testing device of fruit-seedling separation was consisted of wiggler (including eccentric block, exciter and timing belt pulleys), separation roller, separation tine and damper components. Rotary motion from the power source was turned into a variable speed rotary motion by the eccentric drive mechanism of the wiggler, and passed to the separation roller to achieve the fruit-seedling separation through its periodic oscillations. This study showed that fruit-seedling separation parameters obtained by the RSM were feasible, which might provide a theoretical basis for further research of fruit-seedling vibration separation technology of processing tomato.