1. VEGETATION CUTTING MODULE - DESIGN

2. Deminers want to be helped in vegetation cutting, specially palm leafs

3. Tools used now: saw sickle shears

4. Working position

5. Light vegetation, where grass is prevalent: Medium vegetation, where bush is prevalent: Heavy vegetation, where bush is prevalent: Vegetation types

6. Constraints tripwires bushes

7. Other constraints Low power consumption Low-cost Easy to use and maintain Robust Made of few, simple parts easy to find on the local market Able to work in dusty, dirt environment, at high temperatures Light

8. Cutting system: cutter bars Advantages: able to cut small bushes low cost low power absorbed modular Drawbacks: heavy

9. Module structure 3 cutter bars: 2 vertical 1050mm 1 horizontal 650mm

10. Actuation system Hydraulic/pneumatic typeHigh forces Compact space Flexible placement of components Cheap Robust Layout of cylinders All cylinders are double acting and equal Power generated by a cylinder actuated by p.t.o./air compressor Modular: if 2 cylinders are disconnected, the volume of two facing chambers is equal Pmax= 232bar Oil= Agip OSO 15 typeCylinders= double acting, 15mm bore diam. 80mm stroke, not cushioned

11. Frame design Steel, C section, connections welded Loads applied: 2000N force at the extremity of the bar, only one vertical bar engaged at time SigmaMax = 100MPa FEM analyses: Vertical bars: VA=13000N VB=11000N Horizontal bars: VS=7900N VD=5900N

12. Connections and assembly tool Connection to attach cylinders to the cutter bar Screws for fixtures Pins for cylinders Single tool: wrench 17mm size Set screw key 6mm size Small hammer