Design and Experiment of a Hard-Shell Clam Harvester

Hard-shell clams are highly valued for their nutritional and economic benefits, leading to an increase in their aquaculture scale. Harvesting these clams manually leads to low efficiency and high labor intensity; thus, a new type of hard-shell clam harvester has been designed to overcome this challenge. Based on biological characteristics and sediment properties of hard-shell clams, a 3D model of the harvester has been created utilizing SolidWorks software (version 2022), which has a working length of 980 mm, an excavation depth range from 0~12 mm, and an angle of entry of 22 degrees. To optimize the efficiency of the machine, a Discrete Element Method (DEM) simulation trial was conducted through a three-factor three-level experiment using EDEM software. Results indicated an optimal harvest efficiency of 91.17% with the machine achieving a running speed of 0.526 m/s, roller speed of 4.772 r/min, and excavation depth of 73.067 mm. Field experiments verified the feasibility of the harvester, demonstrating high accuracy when compared to simulation results.