Additive Manufacturing Design Case for John Deere’s Hydraulic Block John Deere Forestry Oy asked Etteplan to redesign a hydraulic block for a tree harvester boom in order to best utilize the geometric freedoms offered by additive manufacturing, i.e. 3D printing. The goals from the redesign were to decrease pressure drop, make assembly easier, reduce weight, and minimize production costs. Case Hydraulic Block Design Expertise Engineering Simulation-driven design approach For this project Etteplan formed a team that included experts in AM design, AM simulation, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and finite element analyses (FEA). The design workflow started with performance analysis of the original hydraulic block and then ideation for new channel design concepts. Original hydraulic block on harvester boomCFD analyses allowed the performance of the designs to be compared through computation of pressure drop. The new channel design was selected based on a combination of performance and printability, and was fine-tuned to improve both. Next detailed design work was carried out for the full hydraulic block, followed by FEM strength calculations. The design was fine-tuned again to improve strength and ensure that it withstands the known loadings during operation. Print process simulation was utilized to determine the best orientation on the build platform in order to minimize recoater-crash risk, to check distortion levels of the part during and after printing, and to aid in the design of support structures. Etteplan’s simulation-driven AM design workflow for the John Deere Forestry Oy hydraulic block case Benefits Etteplan was able to create a new hydraulic block with a pressure drop reduction of 40% and mass reduction of 60% compared to the traditionally manufactured component. The channels were also designed to deal with high velocity flow of hydraulic oil in both directions and to be self-supporting during printing. This design also makes assembly and disassembly of surrounding components during maintenance easier due to the smaller overall size of the part. Additive manufactured harvester hydraulic block designed by Etteplan’s AMO team for John Deere Forestry OyKeys to success Etteplan’s redesign of the harvester hydraulic block met the objectives set out by John Deere Forestry Oy. This unique and efficient channel design was discovered due to the excellent teamwork of Etteplan’s 3D printing and simulation experts.
VTT and Etteplan Partnership Paves the Way for Finnish MedTech Innovation VTT is one of Europe’s leading science and technology organization. We are owned by the Finnish state. We advance the utilisation and commercialisation of research and technology in commerce and society. Through scientific and technological means, we turn large global challenges into sustainable growth for businesses and society. We bring together people, business, science and technology to solve the biggest challenges of our time.
Developing Autonomous Smart Wood Processing Solutions with ANDRITZ ANDRITZ is a globally leading supplier of plants, equipment, and services for hydropower stations, the pulp and paper industry, the metalworking and steel industries, and for solid/liquid separation in the municipal and industrial sectors as well as for animal feed and biomass pelleting. Other important business segments include automation and service business. The publicly listed technology Group is headquartered in Graz, Austria, and has a staff of approximately 29,100 employees. ANDRITZ operates more than 280 sites in over 40 countries.
Valmet develops green-transition technology that replaces plastic with new fiber products - Etteplan part of the project team Valmet is a leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. With Valmet’s automation systems and flow control solutions the company serves an even wider base of process industries. Valmet has over 220 years of industrial history and a strong track record in continuous improvement and renewal.
Etteplan provides CFD for Normet as a part of continuous service in engineering and development Normet is a fast growing and innovative company with a mission to lead the transformation into a more digital and sustainable tomorrow. Within underground mining and tunnelling, they have amassed process expertise in over thousands of projects all over the world. Normet has over 50 years of experience in the industry, over 13000 delivered machines and over 1400 professionals working for the company. Normet’s mission is to lead transformation into digitalized and sustainable underground mining and tunnelling.
