Design shaped hole inserts by simulating and analysing the high-speed filling posture of maize seed particles

A shaped hole inserts were designed to solve the problem of poor seed filling performance for a centrifugal maize high-speed precision seed metering device where seeds became stuck in the hole of the seed metering device. Maize seeds were graded to study the effects of different seeds on the structural parameters of the shaped hole insert. The high-speed filling posture of maize seeds was analysed using discrete element simulation software to design and optimise the structural parameters of the shaped hole inserts. Through bench testing, it was determined that the seed will not be stuck when the acute angle on the bottom surface of the hole is 70°. The effects of different materials shaped hole inserts on the high-speed filling posture and seeding performance were studied, and it was determined that ABS resin was the best material. The simulation results show that the graded seed sowing has an influence on seeding performance. When various types of seeds were sown at speeds of 12.6 kmh−1 and 16.2 kmh−1, the missing rate for seeds was less than 5% and 4%, the multiple rate was less than 10% and 8%, and the qualified rate is greater than 86% and 88%, respectively. This met the seeding performance requirements for the seed metering device. Equipment tests results show that the deviation between the simulation test results and the equipment test results was within 1.4%, validating that the optimal structural parameters of the shaped hole insert were effective and reliable.