Ethiopia Lectures Examples Moldboard plow Threshing technology Hay quality & quantity Extension – Low acceptance

Design Process Expectation? How long will a cycle take? What are your expectations? How to successfully implement and when to move to the next steps. Don’t shortcut the process…

Example #1 Moldboard plow

Design Process Problem Identification The moldboard plow has been effective in Ethiopia condition to reduce weeds, increase capacity, depth, penetration… but there is poor acceptance due to plow weight, draft requirements and issues of furrow formation

Design Process

Project Definition and Description Design Topic – specific topic which is descriptive of this project Design Purpose – describe the engineering problem, with current products or problems explained Moldboard Plow - poor acceptance due to plow weight, draft requirements and issues of furrow formation

Project Definition and Description Define the functional requirements/ constraints of the process, device and/or system. The functional requirements or specifications (deliverables) define what the system will do and how well it must do it. Design constraints determined for the project. –Capacity: X ha/hr (or ha/yr) –Weight: X kg –Single animal plow: X N (Ethiopian Res N) –Traffic strategy Design Challenge - What specifically is new about what is being proposed? Lightweight, powered by single animal, & traffic pattern

Project Definition and Description Does a solution currently exist? What research has be performed to determine this solution? If yes, describe. From the field results give some trends or details… Describe any part of the project that cannot be clearly defined.

Design Process Gathering Data Gathering data Historical experience New ideas – trade show Farmer ideas – advisory group Experts – all creative persons enjoy a challenge Web/Books/Factsheets Other disciples – automotive/electronics

Design Process Gathering Data What is available? What other power sources? Substitute materials What do others use? Traffic pattern same for any size? What about reversible plow ideas?

Design Process Creating Ideas The Art of Engineering –Creativity (step beyond the existing solution) –Experience & history (learned?) –Out sourcing (JD, Amish) –Farmer input (if shown exists, comments) –Consultants (Kushwaha, Perumpral) Looking for a large set of concepts to pull from… How many? At least 3-5 concepts

Design Process Prepare Models Potential Sketches Developing Models (small) Prototypes (full scale) Using competitors systems Analytical tools for kinemics & dynamics of soil movement over tools surfaces (for good concepts)

Design Process Prepare Models Modeling Factors: –Speed (0.5 m/s) –Draft limits (600 N) –Width –Depth –Moldboard shape (surface area) –Soil conditions – soil bulk density, shear strength –Soil movement – inversion (weed control) –Draft requirements –Construction process? –Adapt existing shaft? –Cost? –Acceptance? –Other factors?

Design Process Evaluation Analyze options Develop decision matrix Select best option for full experimentation What are the most important criteria for testing? What will set your design apart from state-of-the-art?

Design Process Experimentation What are the basic variables –Change of bulk density –Work, Energy/Area –Draft (speed, depth, width) –Yield? What are the co-variants –Crop & management history –Soil types –Moisture content –Timing

Design Process Repeat? What did the experiments tell you What new obstacles need to overcome Select a new concept?

Design Process Scientific Comparison Compare to state-of-the- art – conventional plow Controlled conditions –Soil –Speed, depth, width Design of Experiment RBD –Null Hypothesis: new concept is same as conventional method… Measurements?

Design Process Marketing Compare to state-of-the-art – conventional plow Pictures and video of experiment… Highlight results Field demonstration Marketing evaluation Have some farmers use Brochures discussing merit