The deterioration of the plunger working surfaces and sleeve worsens the economic and environmental performance of the diesel engine. Therefore, restoring the performance of worn plunger pairs with an increase in their wear resistance is economically feasible. The problem is proposed to be solved by the method of diffusion metallization to obtain hardening coatings based on iron carbides, nitrides and borides and alloying elements. (Research purpose) To evaluate the effect of temperature regimes on the deformation of the plungers during diffusion boriding. (Materials and methods) The following parameters of the technological process are accepted: the composition of the powder mixture, the temperature and exposure time, the cooling time of the containers, the thickness of the coating, the deflection of the part. The materials under research are 45steel, KhVG steel, 25Kh5MA steel after nitriding in dissociated ammonia at the fuel equipment manufacturer. (Results and discussion) The thickness of the boride layer obtained after 8-hour boriding is 250; 215 and 170 micrometers, respectively. It is found that every 2 hours of the process result in an average layer increment of 40 microns. The average deflection of the plungers, exposed to 2-hour and 6-hour boriding, is 9.8 and 12.7 micrometers after the 8-hour cooling of containers. It is found that an increase in the cooling rate of the container leads to an increase in the warping of the plungers up to 35 microns. For uniform heating, it is recommended to use containers containing no more than 100 plungers. (Conclusions) The main reason for the deformation (deflection) of plungers after diffusion metallization is detected to be the relaxation of internal stresses in the core of the part as a result of structural changes in the steel. It is established that the minimum cooling time of the containers together with the furnace should be at least 8 hours. In this case, the deflection does not exceed 20 micrometers. It has been made possible to reduce the allowance for mechanical processing of the plunger to 30 microns.

Agricultural production is shown to be associated with land distribution, variety of agricultural technologies, climatic variability, information diversity, complex algorithms for strategic and tactical decision making. It was noted that the solution to the problem of production planning implies systematizing and structuring the information about technological operations, identifying features and working out parameters for technology selection (adjustment), modeling the agricultural technological process, and the creation of automated information support. The emphasis is placed on the relevance of using modern computers and advanced digital technologies for entering and processing large amounts of information, and visualization of results. (Research purpose) To develop software and technological support enabling the selection of options for technologies adjusted to a particular farm conditions. (Materials and methods) The software was tested in a case of the southern taiga-forest zone of the Novosibirsk region. The process of choosing technologies was studied when cultivating grain crops. A complex of tillage technologies was considered for grain crop cultivation, which ensures minimizing the impact of limiting factors on the yield. Based on the assessment results, invariable and variable factors were identifi ed. The methods used are as follows: information and analytical analysis of materials, a systematic approach, and software development methodologies. (Results and discussion) With the help of the software module, technology options were developed being adjusted to the natural and production conditions of the economy. Registers for technological operations and application conditions were taken as the source material for the formation of options. Two options for selecting technologies were obtained. (Conclusions) As a result, a software module was developed enabling the selection of agricultural technologies based on the thorough accounting and operational processing of information that is used to characterizing the specifi c conditions of the economy, which makes it possible to increase the effi ciency of crop production management and the competitiveness of an agricultural enterprise.

The paper highlights the need of reducing damage caused to corn grain during cobs threshing. The damage to the grain fruit shell can be eliminated by introducing limiting conditions and ensuring optimal parameters for the threshing and separating device operation. It has been confi rmed that the patterns of corn cobs threshing can be adequately described by applying the Hertzian elastic contact theory. (Research purpose) To obtain the Poisson's ratio and Young's modulus of the fruit shell of corn grain, whose surface is in direct contact with the working bodies of the threshing device. (Materials and methods) One-factor-ata- time experiments were conducted with the subsequent statistical processing of the data array. Poisson's ratio was experimentally studied for the fruit shell of dent corn and so was Young's modulus for the grain of fl int corn, dent corn, sugar corn and popcorn. (Results and discussion) Research methods and experimental equipment have been developed to determine the Poisson's ratio and Young's modulus of the fruit shell of corn grain. It was established that with a confi dence probability of 0.95, the average Poisson's ratio value of the fruit shell of the dent corn grain equals 0.356. Young's modulus was obtained by the following corn varieties: fl int corn – 98-125 megapascals, dent corn – 78-127 megapascals, sugar corn – 97-124 megapascals, popcorn – 127-169 megapascals. It was found out that the maximum permissible speed mode of threshing can be provided if the speed of contact interaction between the grain and the threshing device pin does not exceed 1.6 meters per second. (Conclusion). It was proved that for a more comprehensive application of the Hertzian elastic contact theory when modeling the processes of threshing corn cobs, it is necessary to know the Poisson's ratio and Young's modulus for the outer fruit shell of grain. The obtained numerical values of these mechanical and technological characteristics are recommended to be used in modeling the deformation processes that regulate the threshing speed regimes.

It is shown that scientifi c research into the intensifi cation of soybean seed separation processes is necessary for developing new type purifi cation technologies that eliminate the shortcomings of traditional machines, as well as achieving more favorable technical and economic indicators of grain cleaning equipment. (Research purpose) To substantiate the design parameters of a cleaning and sorting plant for highly efficient separation of soybean seeds. (Materials and methods) We used a developed prototype model of the plant for cleaning soybean seeds, consisting of a gravity column and a pneumatic cleaning and sorting channel. The number of combs in the gravity column and the gap between the comb bars were substantiated. Subject to different supply of material, the completeness of separating a large impurity was determined in a gravity column, a light impurity – in the first section of the channel, soybean halves – in the second section of the channel, small and puny soybean seeds – in the third one. (Results and discussion) The optimal number of combs for the gravity column was set to 10 pieces with a gap between the comb bars of 10 millimeters, thus providing the separation effi ciency of 99.3 percent. It was obtained that the optimal ratio between the width of the narrowing partition and the 50-millimeters depth of the channel section equals 0.37. The width of the narrowing partitions was calculated to be 55.5 millimeters; the optimal supply of soybeans is 2.5 tons per hour, thus providing the separation completeness in the gravity column of no less than 95 percent, and that in the pneumatic channel of no less than 98 percent. (Conclusions) It was determined that the intensifi cation of the soybean seed separation process is possible by the combined use of a gravity column and a pneumatic separating device, which can increase the productivity and effi ciency of soybean cleaning by 20 percent or more.

The paper shows the possibility of collecting multispectral and RGB data on the crop condition using an unmanned aircraft. The use of several programs for creating a flight mission is likely to lead to the inefficient use of the unmanned aircraft resources. (Research purpose) To calculate the parameters of aerial photography with multispectral and RGB cameras to enable the improved efficiency of unmanned aircraft resources. (Materials and methods) The paper studies the specifi cations of RGB and multispectral cameras installed on the drone. The research uses the results of scientifi c research on the calculation of aerial photography parameters such as longitudinal and transverse overlap, as well as the flight speed of an unmanned aircraft. (Results and discussion) It is established that the calculated values of the longitudinal and transverse overlap for the Zenmuse X4S RGB camera, as well as the unmanned aircraft fl ight speed during the joint aerial photography with a multispectral camera, make it possible to use standard mobile applications to create a flight mission. (Conclusions) It is determined that the obtained values guarantee the creation of high-quality digital maps. The parameters for the flight mission are calculated ensuring the effi cient exploitation of the unmanned aircraft resources, using simultaneously the Zenmuse X4S RGB camera and six multispectral cameras on board the unmanned aircraft.

The relevance of using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) is substantiated in comparison with other methods of aerospace survey. The paper provides examples of tasks requiring the use of UAVs for aerial photography from different heights. It is shown that the introduction of agricultural robots, including UAVs, increases the speed of fi eld work, allows obtaining unique data necessary for the assessment of agricultural territories, crops processing and plant growth stimulation. It is noted that the problem of constructing the movement trajectories of a multirotor UAV for performing agricultural tasks within a minimum time limit remains unresolved. (Research purpose) To reduce the length of the trajectory covering a given area and reduce the flight time of a multirotor UAV, taking into account the analysis of possible obstacles and land plots that are beyond the task scope. (Materials and methods) Geometric methods have been used to calculate the UAV flight trajectory covering a given section, the trajectory of movement in an environment with obstacles to the designated point. Photogrammetry methods have been used for processing aerial photography images when forming an orthophotoplane and a terrain map. (Results and discussion) The trajectory calculated by the developed algorithm proves to meet all the requirements: it is continuous, has a minimum number of turns, it is smoothed, and feasible for a multirotor UAV. (Conclusions) It was determined that according to the proposed algorithm it takes less than 0.05 seconds to calculate the trajectory covering a rectangular section with the sides of 200 by 30 meters. It was found that the trajectory in the fi rst 10,200-square-meter section decreased by 9 percent, and in the second 950,000-square-meter section it reduced by 6 percent, compared with the length of the trajectory built using standard algorithms. The flight time reduced by 32 and 10 percent, respectively. The paper presents the key advantages of using UAV for video shooting such as: guaranteed high resolution of photographic materials and the ability to shoot at a given time, allowing for the crop condition assessment.

It is noted that the level of mechanical properties of polymer products manufactured with the help of traditional technologies exceeds that of products made by 3D printing. The relevance of studying various methods of strengthening 3D printed products is shown, for example, the method of vacuum impregnation in epoxy compounds. (Research purpose) To determine the dependence between the quality of impregnation of 3D printed parts of agricultural machinery and the viscosity of the impregnating epoxy compound selected. (Materials and methods) The viscosity of the impregnating epoxy compound was changed by adding such diluents as acetone and DEG-1. The viscosity of the compound was measure by a rotational viscometer. The magneto drive pinion of the MTZ tractor starting engine and the auger pin support of the John Deere cutter bar were chosen as the objects for impregnation. The components were produced by a 3D-printer using FDM technology. After impregnation, the products were cut in certain sections to assess the existence of unfilled areas. The amount of resin hardened on the product surface was estimated. (Results and discussion) It has been found that acetone reduces viscosity 2 times more efficiently than DEG-1. Since acetone cost is lower, it was used for the subsequent experiments. For the impregnation of agricultural machinery parts, three levels of viscosity were chosen: the high level, corresponding to the 16 pascal-seconds initial viscosity of epoxy compound; the average level of 8.8 pascal-seconds, corresponding to the injection of 0.5 percent of acetone (by weight); the low level of 6.5 pascal-seconds, corresponding to the injection of 1.5 percent acetone (by weight). It was found that products impregnated with high and low viscosity compounds contained many pores in cross sections and a large amount of compound on the surface. (Conclusions) Based on the results of impregnation, the best composition proves to be that with the epoxy resin viscosity of 8.8 pascal-seconds corresponding to 0.5 percent of acetone (by weight). It is proved that the higher compound viscosity does not allow it to eff ectively penetrate into the product, at a lower viscosity, on the contrary, the compound leaks out of the product after impregnation.

The spectral evaluation systems for controlling the feed mixtures homogeneity were analyzed. (Research purpose) To study the optical luminescent properties of the feed mixtures main components in the ultraviolet and visible range and develop a method for their photoluminescent quality control. (Materials and methods) Two groups of feed mixture components were studied: granular compound feed and corn silage. The spectral characteristics were measured by Fluorat-02-Panorama spectrofluorimeter. The synchronous scanning helped to identify the excitation spectra and, on their basis, the photoluminescence spectra were determined according to a previously tested technique. (Results and discussion) The components excitation spectra revealed the main maxima of 362 nanometers and 424 nanometers. All the photoluminescence characteristics proved to be single-modal, for each excitation wavelength, the measured curves are qualitatively similar, but differ quantitatively: for example, the difference in the compound feed and light silage flows is 2.4 times at a length of 232 nanometers, 2.8 times at 424 nanometers and 3.8 times at 362 nanometers. It is advisable to use 362-nanometer wavelength radiation to excite the experimental sample of the feed mixture, and to record photoluminescence within the range of 390-540 nanometers. The method of express quality control of mixing includes the following stages: initial calibration by the compound feed luminescence, sample preparation, mixture luminescence excitation, the luminescence flux registration, photo signal amplifiation and processing according to diagnostic algorithms, followed by either feed distribution or sequel mixing with repeated express control. (Conclusions) The proposed method for assessing the quality of mixing the feed mixture components can be implemented using a compact spectral device. It was found that the use of the proposed method in the technological process of preparing the feed mixture will reduce the energy costs.

The process of milking healthy cows and those with mastitis is analyzed in terms of such parameters as average onetime milk yield, milk flow rate, milking duration to assess their diff erences and the need to use alternative milking methods. (Research purpose) To study the impact of mastitis on the milk yield of cows and develop recommendations for milking diseased animals. (Materials and methods) Three groups of animals were formed according to the mastitis test results: the first group included healthy cows, the second one those with subclinical mastitis, and the third one included the cows with the clinical form of the disease. The data were collected by control milkings and the milk flow rate results were recorded every 15 seconds. (Results and discussion) The results revealed significant differences for the tree groups, both in the rate of milk flow (1.90; 0.89 and 0.49 kilograms per minute, respectively) and the duration of milking (281; 375 and 294 seconds, respectively). (Conclusions) The longest milking duration is detected in the case of subclinical mastitis, (375 seconds on average). There is a shift in the peak of the milk flow rate from the second minute of milking to the third in comparison with healthy animals. In the case of clinical mastitis, the milking duration (295 seconds) proves to be less than the subclinical one, while there is practically no peak in the rate of milk flow. It is confirmed that there is a necessity to shift the intensive milking mode by 30-45 seconds for an animal with subclinical mastitis, as well as to use a gentle milking mode for cows with clinical mastitis.

It was shown that the magnitude of fluctuating asymmetry can be used to assess the plant development stability. The shortcomings of the plant physiological state assessment were pointed out, both the visual one and that using the previously created colorimeter. (Research purpose) The study aimed to develop a device for determining the plant development stability by measuring the leaf color. (Materials and methods) The device was tested on cucumber plants grown under different spectra. The surface color was measured on the second and third leaves in the order of their emergence on the plant, to the left and right of the central vein: at the top of the leaf, at the bifurcation of the second veins of the second order, at the base of the leaf. During measurements, the device was brought to the leaf. The principle of the microcontroller-based colorimeter operation was described. (Results and discussion) The asymmetry of the values of the color coordinates of the symmetrical points on the cucumber leaf surface was found to be fluctuating and can be used to assess the plant development stability. The differences in the light environment quality, affecting the plant biometric parameters, are manifested in the asymmetry of the color coordinates of the symmetrical points on the leaf surface and the higher values of growth parameters (in plants under better light environment conditions) correspond to lower values of fluctuating asymmetry. (Conclusions) The developed colorimeter was proved to be compact and ergonomic, easy to manufacture, inexpensive, easy to operate and applicable to the field usage. The device enables to identify differences in the development stability of the plants grown under different light sources. The experimental conditions revealed that the fluctuating asymmetry values were 0.0301 relative units under LEDs and 0.0471 relative units under sodium lamps in the red range. In the green range they were 0.0228 and 0.0305, in the blue one 0.0253 and 0.0416 relative units, respectively.

The existing range of plant identification methods and tools is considered limited in real agrotechnical tasks. The image parameters tend to differ significantly in applied solutions. (Research purpose) To develop an algorithm for crop plant recognition by a robotic device using a state-of-the-art convolutional neural network (R-CNN) and deep learning technology. (Materials and methods) A robotic device has been developed for variable rate application of plant protection products able to recognize both useful crops and weeds, determine the area of processing, namely the coordinates of the processing center and the processing radius. Mask R-CNN and Deeplabv3 plus segmenting neural networks were chosen for crop (white head cabbage) detection. The network-based algorithm detects, segments, and positions plants based on a dataset collected in the image-mask and COCO dataset formats. The data set was formed by aerial photography using an unmanned aircraft. The original images are taken by Xiaovv HD Web USB 150 degree Full HD 1080P webcam and Logitech C270 HD 720p webcam. The trained neural network for the robotic device was installed on the Nvidia Jetson AGX Xavier platform. (Results and discussion) As a result of assessing the accuracy of the model on the test data, the following values were obtained: the number of plants detected is 98 percent, the accuracy of contour detection is 94 percent. (Conclusions) It is proved that the trained neural network can be applied to any cultivated crops, taking into account the heterogeneity of their location in the field, soil types, and the percentage of weeds. As a result, the model is trained to extract the bounding box coordinates and the object (cabbage) location by pixels with the required accuracy for both synthetic and real data.