| dc.description.abstract | The core of this project is a full modeling, analysis, and optimization of the HosWel parallel squeeze hay bed manufactured by Better Built Enterprises based in Elgin, Oklahoma. The hay bed had been manufactured for many years without issue, but the quality and safety of the design had never been investigated by an engineering team. Thus, the client's purpose for the project was mainly economical to reduce material use and the cost of manufacturing as much as possible without compromising safety. To begin, the design team developed a three-dimensional Solidworks model as well as a full manufacturing drawing package for the current design of the hay bed. The Solidworks model was constructed using drawings provided by the client and will allow for easier manufacturing of components in the future. Next, in order to analyze the structural integrity of the hay bed, loading models were developed for three separate loading conditions: hauling hay bales, towing trailers, and lifting hay bales. Using the engineering methods taught as part of the undergraduate coursework at Oklahoma State University, the design team performed a stress analysis on each of the critical components of the hay bed in order to determine if these components met a desirable safety factor specified by the client. The design team found that many of the components were vastly overbuilt, while other components fell below the factor of safety desired by the client. Finally, using the results obtained from the stress calculations, the design team determined the most critical components of the hay bed and made suggestions that would optimize the design in order to reduce cost, weight, and manufacturing time. Should the client wish to continue working with subsequent design teams at Oklahoma State University, suggestions for future work were also stipulated in the report. | |
