Technological clearances in machines for mechanical processing of cotton seeds

The paper considers the issues of the possibility of damage to sowing cotton seeds during mechanical processing. Sowing cotton seeds can be processed in various technological processes and devices. In most cases, seed processing takes place between the processing surfaces in the technological gaps between them. The paper considers cases of jamming and damage of seeds in the technological gaps of delintering machines with metal- brush working bodies when delintering cotton seeds. Seed damage depends on the size of the seeds, the configuration of the gaps and the type of processing surfaces. Theoretically, the optimal sizes of technological gaps are determined from the condition of preventing the possibility of jamming of seeds in them during processing, which leads to damage and destruction of seeds. The data obtained are confirmed by experimental data and the optimal values of technological gaps are established based on the prevention of seed damage, plant productivity and changes in the germination of cotton seeds