Virtual Reality For Marketing Of Agro Machines

VIRTUAL REALITY TECHNIQUE FOR MARKETING AND DISPLAY OF AGRO MACHINES (A project work undertaken at Mahaveer Electomechanical Works Pvt. Ltd, M.I.D.C. Akola) Authors: Prof. S.K. Patil Lecturer, college Of Engineering & Technology, Akola (M.S.) Prof. D.S. Ingole Asst professor, college Of Engineering, Badnera (Rly), Dist: Amravati (M.S.) Prof. D.V. Shirbhate Lecturer, college Of Engineering & Technology, Akola (M.S.) INTRODUCTION: This paper explains how the VRML (Virtual reality modeling language) capability is used for the display and marketing of various agro machines fabricated at Mahaveer Electomechanical Works Pvt. Ltd, M.I.D.C. Akola. The assembly of the machines is quite complex and size is considerable, therefore the marketing people were finding it difficult to give live demonstration of the actual machines to their customer. The problem was referred by Prof. S.K. Patil to Prof. Dipak shirbhate who is doing his M.E. in production Technology and management and his guide Prof. D.S. Ingole. The problem was taken as a topic for project work titled “ Modeling and simulation of various products of Mahavir Electromechanical Works, Akola” The Brief Description Of The Machines Taken for Project: Mahavir electromechanical works Pvt ltd. is engaged in manufacturing of agro machines supplied all over India. The brief description of the machines taken for the project is as follows. MAHAVIR D-Series Destoner MEPL Destoner assures unbeatable reliability and performance. Most effective solution for separation of stones, mud balls and dust from seeds/grains. APPLICATION: For continuous separation of stones from a stream of granular material. Simple and dependable separation on the basis of the difference in terminal velocity of the material and of the heavy impurities such as stone, metals, glass etc. WORKING PRINCIPLE: A feeder spreads the gravity-fed grain across the entire width of the machine. On separation screen, the stream of material is stratified according to its specific gravity by the oscillating motion of the screen and the air flowing through the material from bottom to top. The light particles collect at the top and the heavy ones including the stones at the bottom. The lower layers of stones flow upward and are separated out. The stone free stream of materials float on cushion of air, flowing slowly towards the material outlets. The inclination of the screens, the air volume and final separation can be individually adjusted to achieve the optimum degree of separation.

Dust Collection System: Some products are contaminated with dust chaff and other light impurities, which are to be separated. The provision of special fan for removing the said impurities can be given as an optional arrangement. Adjustment: All the adjustment provided in the machine is simple and user friendly. Machine Capacity: Due to the wide variation in separation requirements, MFPL cannot guarantee these specific capacities; however, estimates in the table are conservative and have been equaled or exceeded when the destoner and other associated equipment have been installed and operated properly. The destoner requires a firm foundation, an adequate clean air source and uniform feed rate. : Technical Specification: Model

Capacity

D-2 D-1.5

2 TPH

Power in HP 2 HP 3 HP (With dust collection)

Dimensions Length - 1300 mm Width - 960 mm Height - 2000 mm Deck size 870 x 740 mm

MAHAVIR G-Series Gravity separator Mahavir Gravity Separator is used to separate any of dry particles similar in size & shape, but having different in specific weight. Gives best result in gradation of seed as well as grains. WORKING PRINCIPLE:

It works on principle of Gravity' (weight) difference in the particles. For efficient density separation on different variety of seed or grain. Proper adjustment of deck inclination (longitudinal & transverse). Deck oscillation speed & setting of air of multi fan is necessary. The above adjustment can be done very easily while machine is in running condition. DUST CONTROL:

Certain seed/ grains contain dust; chaff & other light impurities make pollution in atmosphere. To control this air pollution as per system can provide with optional arrangement based on customer required. FEATURES:

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Blower of aerodynamic design gives very high efficiency and avoids noise. Sturdy & compact design. Easy airflow adjustment. Filters provided to avoid entry of dust in blowers. Rectangular deck ensures excellent separation. Multi fan arrangement ensures exact ensures air flow requirement in different deck areas.

: Technical Specification: Model

No. of Fan

Capacity

Power

Dimension in mm

MG-1 MG-2 MG-4

3 Fans 5 Fans 7 Fans

1 TPH 2 TPH 4 TPH

5.0 HP 7.5 HP 10.0 HP

2200 x 1150 x 650

MAHAVIR A-Series Air Classifier This machine is the effective solution for separating light seed / grain, dust, impurities from good quality grain/ seed. Working Principle: The seed/grain are initially fed to feeding hopper. Through feeding hopper grains are pneumatically conveyed to top classifying feed chamber. The grains are conveyed through rectangular conveying duct. Stones, chaff dust are separated out from grains & are collected in top feed chamber. From top feed chamber, grains are fed to classifying duct where high velocity air stream separates light grains, light impurities from good quality grain. Separate chute is provided for collecting good quality grain, light grains dust & chaff. Special Features: • Grading of grain is done by high velocity air stream. • Removes dust, light impurities, trash from grain. • Low quality immature grain and broken grains are separated from good quality grain. • Self-pneumatic feeding, hence no need of bucket elevator. • Glass panel is provided to observe process of separation and for accurate adjustment. • No screen, deck or any moving part, hence maintenance free. : Technical Specification: Model MEPL 4 MEPL 2 MEPL 1

Electrical Power 7.5 HP 5.0 HP 3.0 HP

MAHAVIR W - SERIES WEIGHER Special Features: • Electronic Setting Facility. • Load Cell based • Accuracy 0.1% • Range 20-100 Kgs. • Capacity - 60 Bags of 100 Kgs. per hour. • Facility of Conveyor.

Capacity 4 TPH 2 TPH 1 TPH

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Facility of stitching of gunny bag. Structure - Powder coating, hence long life. Easy clamping & decamping of Gunny bag. Storage bin capacity - 750 Kgs. Only one Operator requires operating the machine. Pneumatically operated feed gate system. : Technical Specification: Model

Capacity

Power Reqd.

Dimension (Mtr.)

WS -100

20-100 Kgs.

2 HP (Conveyor)

3 x 1 x 2.5

Problems reported by marketing people: Marketing people reported following problems. 1) Considering the complexity and size of machine, the transportation of the machines is costly to give demonstration at customer site. 2) Considerable amount of grain is needed for demonstration (trial run). 3) Three-phase power supply is needed to run such heavy machines. 4) Firm foundation is required for trail run. 5) All the technicians associated with the machines are required to remain present at the time of trail run. 6) All the accessories and spares should be available for demonstration. As the machines are manufactured on job order basis, there is less possibility that all the spares get available. Virtual 3d models of the machines (solution to above problem) By carefully analyzing the problems reported by marketing people, it was felt that virtual 3d working models would be very useful to tackle the above problem. Following are the benefits of 3d working models. 1. 3d working models are as real as actual machines. They give the same feeling as that of actual machine. 2. They are very informative in case of explaining complex mechanisms and processes as in our case. 3. The virtual models created were interactive. Customer can see the working machine models interactively ie. They can walk around the machine, go inside the machine, and view it through various angels. The phenomenon is very similar to playing games on computer. Methodology of the project: Keeping in view all the aspects of problem, it was decided that the 3d models of the machines must be made. Pro/e was chosen as modeling software for this purpose. All the parts of machines ware modeled in part mode of pro/e and then they were assembled in assembly mode of pro/e. choosing pro/e, as modeling software was beneficial in following respect.

1. As the design department keeps on modifying the Agro machines as per customer requirements frequent modifications are allowed by pro/e being a parametric modeling package. 2. Due to bi-directional associative nature of pro/e, parts modified in part mode get automatically updated in assembly mode. This process is quiet easy as compared to modifying the parts in assembly created in AutoCAD. Simulation of mechanisms and process in 3ds max studio: the simulation of mechanism can be done in pro/e as well but in this case, it was needed to simulate the grains also to show the simulation of process. All the assemblies were exported in 3ds max studio format and then they were simulated. USE OF VRML (virtual reality modeling language) FOR PRESENTATION: VRML was chosen as presentation software as VRML is shareware software. Any user can download the plug in from Internet. The VRML format also enables to upload the models on web when required. In the future, it is proposed that all the models will be uploaded on web, which will eliminate the need to carry the CD with marketing person. Any customer having the access to Internet can download the working models from Internet and view them on his own. Conclusion The above project was carried out keeping in view the need and difficulty of marketing department of the company. As pro/e was chosen as modeling software there are much more possible uses of 3d assemblies created in Pro/e. Pro/e can be used to create tool path generation for manufacturing of part. The rapid prototype of parts as well as assemblies can be created by exporting the assemblies in pro/e to *.stl format (*.stl format is used in rapid prototype process). The parts created in pro/e can be optimized as well as analysis can be carried out on them. Automated inspection devices can be coupled with pro/e to have automatic inspection but this applicable where mass production is required. Besides marketing, the moving 3d models of machines are useful in educating the farmers or workers regarding the operation of machines. The moving 3d virtual models will be also useful to the company to display their products in trade fairs or exhibitions of agro machines.