Computer aided engineering design in the development of agricultural implements: a case study for a DPFA

Abstract

Nowadays, available engineering technologies allow the engineering industry to utilize software with numerical methods to generate optimal designs and solve complex issues in a wide range of tasks. Thus, this method plays a specific purpose for researchers, especially in agriculture, to improve designs which use materials excessively, and develop the geometry of implements optimally. This study focused on optimizing a deep placement fertilizer applicator by way of computer aided engineering. The finite element method simulation was also used to obtain optimum geometric parameters of the deep placement fertilizer applicator by topology optimization. The topology optimization generated a structural shape on the deep placement fertilizer applicator framework body to reduce excessive mass (weight), and propose a new shape for this type of implement. The simulation also reported the total material mass used under static load distribution in the deep placement fertilizer applicator framework. According to the study results, the total mass of the current deep placement fertilizer applicator design could be reduced by approximately 40% under present boundary conditions. The study results provide technical support in the development of agricultural implementation with the proposed design for further practical testability.