Development of a Fixed-Type Profiling Depth Control Rubber Tapping Machine Based on ADAMS

To address the problem of unstable knife penetration depth caused by uneven rubber tree bark during natural rubber tapping, this study designs a fixed-type rubber tapping machine integrated with a profiling depth control mechanism. Through the design and theoretical analysis of key structures, the main factors affecting the stability of knife penetration depth were identified. A high-precision rubber tree model was constructed using three-dimensional laser scanning technology. Combined with ADAMS dynamic simulation and a three-level orthogonal experimental design, the curvature radius of the profiling component, the stiffness coefficient of the tension spring, and the stiffness coefficient of the torsion spring were selected as experimental factors, while the qualification rate of knife penetration depth was used as the evaluation index. Response surface optimization yielded the optimal parameter combination: profiling component curvature radius of 12.35 mm, tension spring stiffness coefficient of 87.19 N/m, and torsion spring stiffness coefficient of 10.04 N·m/rad, under which the knife penetration depth qualification rate reached 95.33%. With this optimization, the device can adapt to bark surfaces with varying irregularities, ensuring stable penetration depth during tapping and reducing bark damage. Field tests demonstrated that the device accurately tracks bark surface fluctuations, achieving an average penetration depth qualification rate of 91.72%, which is 12.51% higher than that of a tapping machine without a profiling component, with significantly reduced bark damage. The results provide a solution for adaptive control on complex surfaces and offer a reference for the design of fixed-type profiling depth control rubber tapping machines.