Crab Apple Core Removal Process Analysis Using Experimental Measurement and Finite Element Method (FEM)

Abstract

Crab apples have high nutritional and economic value. The core removal process plays an important role in making crab apples into dried fruit that can be easily stored and transported. By finite element simulation of the factors affecting the performance of the core removal process, the core removal force and energy consumption can be effectively reduced. The density of crab apples was determined to be 0.859 g cm⁻³ using the drainage method. The quasi-static compression test revealed that the modulus of elasticity, yield strength, and damage strength of crab apples were 2.93, 0.1329, and 0.7369 MPa, respectively. Based on the core removal model, one-factor simulations of the core removal process were explored. The optimized core removal parameters for crab apples were a cutter wall thickness of 0.8 mm, a flat blade cutter, and a core removal speed of 150 mm s⁻¹. The results showed that the cutting force and energy consumption were reduced by 48.55% and 34.08%, respectively. The model and optimized tool parameters provide valuable insights for the design and development of crab apple core removal equipment and the mass production of multi-cored fruits.