amrdcproject

Elimination of vibrations in the Cell Disrupter V4

Over the last couple of years AMRDC has collaborated with SARDI in developing a cell disrupter for breaking up organic material for subsequent DNA extraction. This is done by a rotating mechanism driven by an electric motor. These components are housed in a stainless steel cabinet. (See picture below) Access to the operating mechanism is through a hinged door on the front which also contains an operating control panel. The machine has successfully fulfilled its main purpose. However, some problems have been met concerning vibrations produced by the machine while operating. These vibrations are thought to be produced by the electric motor and the rotating mechanism, which both are mounted on rubber mounts. Due to confidential nature to this project further information on the operation of the machine can only be supplied under a confidential agreement.

Some research has been done in eliminating these vibrations. Such as balancing the weight of the motor, rubber mounts have been changed and different supporting legs have been installed. Still no definitive solution for minimizing the vibrations has been found.

In the coming 17 weeks I will look for a new way to eliminate these vibrations once and for all. This will include work in the fields of research, design, manufacturing and testing. It is the mass rotational speed and location of these moving parts on the rubbers that will be the main part of my investigation.

Programming an interface

A second project concerns the programming of an interface for a device that measures soil profiles for farming objectives using a laser. The programming will be done in C++, with the use of databases. The boundaries of this project are not jet clear. I will be working on this project when the main project (vibrations in Cell Disruptor) is on hold due to manufacturing or while waiting for necessary components. There could also be a component of Assembly programming for the vertical movement of the laser.

AMRDC or 'The Agricultural Machinery Research and Design Centre'  is the largest group of Australian university researchers working on argicultural machinery research and development for the food processing industries. The highly experienced staff at AMRDC have practical farming and manufacturing backgrounds and advanced academic qualifications. They are therefore able to offer practical research and consultancy services based on their understanding of the engineering needs of farmers and the agricultural industry. 

 

There are a number of testing facilities and equipment that are unique to the agricultural and post-harvest. Here you see the Tillage test track:

This continuous two metre wide outdoor soil bin contains a 0.3m depth of sandy-loam soil overlaying a subsoil clay layer. Two trolleys on rails are pulled by a 80kW self steering tractor at speeds of up to 12km/h.  The first trolley fully reworks the soil, the second trolley is used to record the force performance of the tillage tools being evaluated.

selection of some of the more recent projects that the centre is undertaking are described below. Projects focus on tillage and agricultural machinery research to provide benefits back to farmers and agricultural machinery manufacturers.

• Improved tillage and seeding equipment
• High efficiency subsoil ripper/amelioator for vineyards
• Cropping system research: importance of no-till seeding system technology (GRDC,SAGITF, Industry)

 

The Agricultural Machinery Research and Design Centre offers opportunities to study in the leading edge fields of Agricultural Engineering. Areas include but are not limited to tillage and all forms of agricultural machinery research and post-harvest processing technologies. These range from the broad acre farming areas to vineyard machinery. Examples of the diversity of postgraduate research can be viewed within the past students projects listed below.

• Current full-time students
• Current part-time students
• Previous postgraduate students
• Research at UniSA