Optimization of mini plantation tractor chassis by using multi-objective response surface methods

Abstract

To meet the requirement of the oil palm plantation industry, mini plantation tractor chassis is developed with increasing of transport capacity from 500 kg to 750 kg. The design goals of optimum design are safe, transport efficiency and lightweight chassis weight. The aim of this study is to determine the effect and optimum conditions of design parameters in the form of profile width, profile height, and profile thickness of mini plantation tractor chassis. The parameter design is set by 3 levels. Chassis modeling is done by using Finite Element Analysis software with 3-dimensional model. The deformation and stress behavior are observed on the chassis due to vertical bending and the torsional loading model. Multi-Objective Response Surface Methodology was applied to obtain the optimum design parameter conditions on the results of stress and deformation observation on the chassis. Based on the RSM optimization results, three optimum chassis design candidates were produced. In the vertical bending loading model, it is found that the profile width has the greatest influence to stress reduction contribution, and the profile height has the greatest influence to deformation reduction contribution. In the torsional loading model, the profile height has the greatest influence to stress reduction contribution, and the profile thickness has the greatest influence to deformation reduction contribution. The optimum design based on consideration in both loading models is profile thickness = 5.5 mm, profile height = 100 mm, and profile width = 55 mm.