Design and Simulation of a Fully Automated Fresh-Packaging Integrated Machine for Pakchoi

In response to the growing demand for automated and standardized post-harvest processing of leafy pakchois, this study addresses the existing bottleneck in which current equipment fails to accommodate the fragile and perishable nature of leaf pakchois and lacks integrated solutions. A fully automatic, fresh-processing, and packaging integrated machine for pakchoi has been designed and developed. The system incorporates a modular architecture that integrates root removal, yellow‑leaf elimination, washing, and packaging functions. The structural reliability of key components was verified through finite element simulation, with safety factors exceeding 8. Multi‑process coordination and sequential control were implemented using an STM32‑based controller. Performance tests demonstrated a processing capacity of ≥ 50 kg/h, along with 100% root‑removal rate, ≥ 98% yellow‑leaf removal rate, and ≤ 3% damage rate. This research provides a feasible technical pathway for low‑loss, efficient, and standardized post‑harvest handling of leafy pakchois, offering practical implications for promoting pakchoi commercialization and industrial automation.