The prototype achieves a total weight of 796 kg including tanks, which reduces the mass by over 430 kg compared to a conventional steel frame. The lightweight chassis presented here is fitted with high load M16 connection points developed by IFW. These are based on the multi-layer concept and are integrated during the draping of the fiber layers and cured together with the fiber composite. This eliminates downstream work steps such as drilling the structure and additional bonding of inserts. The metallic connection points allows existing assembly processes in the commercial vehicle industry to continue to be carried out with screw connections without risking damage to the fiber composite.
Next, the prototype chassis is integrated into the agricultural machine by our partner Krone in order to subject the chassis to a dynamic structural test on Krone’s X-Poster test bench. The results of the design and the underlying finite element models will be validated. The main objective of this test is to ensure that both the carbon-fiber chassis and the hybrid multi-layer inserts used in highly stressed areas do not suffer damage over the entire service life of a vehicle. To record the loads and deformations of the chassis, the IFW is implementing a measurement concept that includes Rayleigh and strain gauge sensors as well as optical 3D measurements. Through the development process, the IFW was able to further strengthen and expand its expertise in the development and design of large fiber composite structures as well as in the conception of application-related force transmission.
The project AgriLight is funded by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) as part of the Lightweight Construction Technology Transfer Programme (TTP LB). We would like to thank the BMWK for funding the project.
Contact:
For more information, please contact David Garthe, Institute of Manufacturing Engineering and Machine Tools at Leibniz Universität Hannover, by phone at +49 4141 77638 24 or by e-mail (garthe@ifw.uni-hannover.de).
