Development And Performance Evaluation Of Durability Testing Machine

CHAPTER THREE
MATERIAL AND METHODOLOGY
3.1    Material
Various materials were measured according to design specification, cut in sizes welded bend and bolted together where necessary. The component parts were then assembled to form designed pattern.
3.2    Description of Durability Testing Machine
The durability testing machine is made up of several component which are quite essential but if omitted or absent, will hinder the efficiency of the machine. The component parts are: iron rod, bearing, shaft, pulley, belt and electric motor.
The System Consist of frame which was made of metal. Frame provides standard Stabilities to the machine. However a belt and pulley are mounted on a rotating shaft which helps in driving the durability box which turn to eccentrics smoothly.
3.3.     Component part of machine
    The component part of the machine is made up of following part.
3.3.1    Frame
    This component part of the machine is made up of angle iron, it is the structural unit which bears the main load of durability testing machine and it also acts as support to the bearing, shaft and electric motor of the machine.

3.3.2    Durability Box
    It is made of mild steel to form a tray which the shape will be in form of box and at one end of the box there will open and close which will serves as hopper. it is inside the box where biomass material like briquette, pellet and cubes were put in.
3.3.3    Pulley and Belt
    These are component use to transmit power. the belt and pulley are attached to the electric motor of the machine on the same side of durability testing machine.
3.3.4    Bearing
    This is made up of non corrosive metal which is used to hold the shaft in the durability machine. It permit free rotation of the shaft in axis and it also support the durability machine in eccentrics flow when it is acted by several forces.
3.3.5    Shaft
    It is an important part of The Machine. It is made from metal rod of 30mmdiameter. It takes power from the electric motor to the machine via belt and pulley.
3.3.6    Key
             These are used for securing element such as pulley to the shaft in other to ensure that power is transmitted to them and to prevent relative axial movement between the mounted part to avoid loss of power.
                       
3.3.7    Electric motor
    This Provide power needed to effect the operation of the machine. It is connected to the shaft via the belt drive for the transmission of power to the machine. A two horse power is used.
3.4    Design consideration.
    Design is the application of science and invention to the improved specification and construction of machine. The design of durability testing machine was based on the important consideration and determine factor as mention below.
3.4.1      Portability
              Transportation of machine from one place to another is one of the considered factors this durability testing machine is designed in such a way that is very portable. It could be easily transported within the farm premises and in ease of long distances.   
3.4.2        Cost of production
    This is the factor that determine the type volume and capacity of the machine in accordance with cost of production. Considering the producer of biomass(briquette) that operates on a small scale to be trial or future users of machine: the machine is not so expensive ,simple and easy to operate.
3.4.3        Area/volume
    In designing of any farm machinery, consideration are always given to the area or volume of space that such machine could occupy.
3.5    Assembly of the construction
    The first step was the cutting and dimensioning to the require measurement for which the machine was designed. Joining together of the component by using arc welding to join both sides together.
    The frame was constructed by angle iron beside the frame there is a space of electric motor, bearing was tied on the frame with bolt and nut which hold the shaft with pulley together. Pulley is attached to the electric motor on the frame, belt is used to connect the pulley and electric motor together.