The Numerical Simulation of Rebound Velocity Pendulum Method for Ripening Detection of Melon

Abstract

A robust numerical analysis was proposed for simulating the rebound velocity pendulum method for melon. For considered varieties (Zard-Eyvanekey and Sousky-Sabz varieties), the change in impact parameters (extracted from excitation by pendulum) was studied for five stages of ripening. With the melon ripeness, the rebound velocity, rebound height, relative rebound height, rebound angle, rebound energy and coefficient of restitution (velocity ratio) increased, while the absorbed energy decreased (from 37.6 to 27.9 MJ for Zard-Eyvanekey and from 38.5 to 27.9 MJ for Sousky-Sabz). The regression analysis showed a highly significant linear relationship (coefficient of determination, R² more than 0.8059) between impact parameters and five stages of ripening. So the results of the analysis are feasible in ripening detection and hence in the classification of the melon maturity.

Keywords

• impact analysis
• firmness
• non-destructive method
• melon