Failure Investigation of the Disc Harrow Profiles and Redesigning by CATIA Analysis

This article covers an applied study on the computer-aided engineering analysis of the damage occurring in the disc bearing profiles of a disc harrow used in the agricultural sector and redesigning the existing structure.The damage to the machine had occurred in the form of deformation of the plastic structure in the disk-bearing profiles. In order to examine the damage, to collect information on the stress values causing the damage and to re-arrange the damaged design, system construction was modeled with CATIA and structural stress analysis was performed. Results of finite element stress analysis revealed weak regions of the construction under the variable dynamic loading, and the strength with inadequate and improper distribution was determined. Design goals aiming to improve present design were defined in order to prevent the occurrence of damage, and a design meeting these objectives was obtained. The existing system profiles and links were re-arranged in accordance with this design. Then, an experimental analysis consisting of 250 hours of operation was also performed with these new arrangements. No damage occurrence was observed in the new design, so the validity of the design was confirmed.