Effect of seed-roll density on the deformation of a linter apron sensing element

Background: monitoring the density of the seed roll in the working chamber of a linter machine is important for stabilizing the technological process and reducing energy consumption. Methods: an analytical Euler–Bernoulli cantilever-beam solution is obtained for the sensing wall of the density-control device under a uniformly distributed centrifugal load; the load is derived from the rotational speed of the working members, the density and thickness of the contact layer of the seed roll, and the radius of the working chamber, and is revised relative to the earlier calculation. For steel and copper walls, the required thickness is found from a strength criterion. Results: the calculation establishes design requirements for the steel and hard-drawn copper sensing walls, while annealed copper is unsuitable. A deflection–density calibration relationship is obtained and its sensitivity is estimated. Conclusions: correcting the load and geometry substantially changes the wall-thickness recommendations compared with the preliminary stage; the proposed procedure provides a justified basis for designing the sensing element of the seed-roll density-control device of a linter machine.