Design and Finite Elements Analysis of a Hydraulic Excavator's Robot Arm System

摘要

Rapid growth of mining, construction and industrial activities is supported by automated high-performance machineries with sophisticated mechanism like hydraulic excavators. In this research paper, studies and researches have been carried out on the boom-arm-bucket robot system of a hydraulic excavator used especially on industrial, construction and mining sites. These studies provide general information about the technical specifications of this system. In order to improve the system's performances, finite elements stress analyses have been carried out. The studies begin with the design of the system using CAD (Computer Aided Design) software. Then a static force analysis of each component has been performed to determine the forces applied on them. The drawings were transferred to the finite element stress analysis software and all required steps for the analysis have been executed. The results obtained from the finite elements analysis revealed that the designed components were safe and subject to stress far below the assigned material's yield strength. However, the components were heavy and their weight could have been a disadvantage to their use. Design modifications have been performed in order lighten the components and at the same time to decrease their fabrication cost by decreasing the components thickness and changing the assigned material. These modifications also helped to improve their mobility.