DEM-Modeling of a Centrifugal Sowing System for Wood Species Seeds from an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2026-2-124-138Keywords:
seeding device, aerial sowing, unmanned aerial vehicle, simulation modeling, computer-aided design, CADAbstract
Reforestation in remote, rugged, and hard-to-reach terrains remains a significant challenge for modern forestry, necessitating the transition to automated and efficient technological solutions. This study focuses on the development and numerical investigation of a centrifugal seed broadcasting system integrated with an unmanned aerial vehicle for precision aerial seeding. The research was conducted using the Discrete Element Method implemented in the Altair EDEM software environment. The simulation model incorporates the precise physical and mechanical properties of forest tree seeds, such as density, coefficients of friction, and restitution, as well as the intricate design features of the centrifugal device. A key aspect of the study involved modeling the interaction between the seeds and the distributing disk while considering the aerodynamic influence of the unmanned aerial vehicle propulsion system on the resulting seed trajectories. Through a comprehensive series of numerical experiments, the study analyzed the influence of various operational parameters – specifically the rotational speed of the distributing disk and the angular configuration of the blades – on the uniformity of seed distribution. The research determined the rational design and operational settings that minimize the coefficient of variation in the spreading pattern. It was established that the propulsion system’s downwash significantly affects the distribution width, requiring precise synchronization between flight altitude and disk rotation. The findings provide a robust theoretical and practical framework for optimizing aerial sowing equipment, thereby enhancing the efficiency and reliability of forest restoration technologies in challenging environments.
Acknowledgments: The study was carried out with the support of the Russian Science Foundation grant No. 25-19-0876, https://rscf.ru/project/25-19-00876/.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Lysych M.N., Bukhtoyarov L.D., Gnusov M.A., Martynovsky E.V.
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