Multi-Body Dynamics of an Excavator Attachments

Abstract

Excavators are engineering vehicles which primarily performs the digging operation with the help of its front attachment like arm, boom and bucket. The main purpose of the MBD analysis is to check the variation in stresses of arm and boom during the actual digging operation. During digging operation, reaction forces which are acting on various joints will change with respect to time and di erent con gurations of attachment. And therefore the forces exerted by hydraulic cylinders will vary during the operation. The MBD analysis was performed to check the maximum reaction forces at di erent joints which will cause maximum bending stress in the arm and boom and we can determine in which con guration arm and boom will be under maximum stressed condition. A MBD model of excavator's front attachment is prepared in motion view to simulate the digging operation. The self weight of all components, weights of material in bucket and impact load from ground were considered as the main loads for the simulation. The arm & boom of the Excavator's front attachment was modeled as a exible body, to nd the stress variation during the digging operation. Benchmarking: Product benchmarking is being considered. 25ton weight models are compared for diff erent critical parameters.