Search Results

{ Natural fibre-reinforced composite has the potential to replace current materials used for automotive industrial applications. Oilseed flax fibre could be used as reinforcement for composites because it is readily available, environmentally friendly and possesses good mechanical properties. In this research, oilseed flax fibre reinforced-LLDPE and -HDPE biocomposites were developed through extrusion and injection molding. The flax fibre was chemically treated to improve the bond between the fibre and polymer. Flax fibre was mixed with low linear density polyethylene (LLDPE) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) with fibre content varying from 10 to 30% by mass and processed by extrusion and injection molding to biocomposites. The mechanical properties, surface properties, and thermal properties of biocomposites were measured to analyze the treatment and processing effect and to compare the effect of different flax fibre concentrations on the biocomposites.

Flax oil is the main goal of growing flaxseed. Flax oil has been used for nutrition, food, paint binder, putty, and wood finish. However, synthetic resin from flax oil has not been developed. In this paper we will develop a biopolymer derived from flax oil and the goal is to use it as a resin to produce a viable, biodegradable composite using natural fiber as reinforcement. First, the functionalization of the triglyceride group of the flax oil fatty acids with polymerizable chemical groups was studied. The triglyceride molecule of flax oil was epoxidized by the reaction of double bonds in the fatty acid with a peroxy acid (formic acid) to get epoxidized oil; the epoxidized oil was then reacted with ethylenically substituted carboxylic acid (acrylic acid) to form acrylated epoxidized flax oil. Polymer resins were prepared from flax oil by blending acrylated epoxidized flax oil with styrene and a free radical initiator.

In peak periods, producers lose valuable time due to tractor breakdowns because of parts availability and service problems. A survey of 200 producers was conducted across the Province of Saskatchewan to determine problems associated with service and availability of parts. The results show that the dealerships were becoming more responsive to the producers needs. The number of repairs per year and the cost of dealership repairs were high since 14% of respondents were using private mechanics. The number of tractors per producer nearly doubled from the 1960's estimate of two. The hydraulic components were a concern since the cost of repairs was high, and breakdowns were more frequent.

The relationship between the soil parameters measured during soil testing using the bevameter system and horizontal forces acting on a simple tillage tool were investigated. Field experiments were conducted on untilled, compacted soil and on recently tilled soil. On both soils, five sites were randomly chosen where bevameter and draft measurements were performed. The parameters measured were modulus of soil deformation, wet and dry bulk density, soil moisture content, tool operating depth, tool operating speed and horizontal draft. A statistical analysis of data indicated that a mathematical model for predicting draft should include operating depth, dry bulk density and modulus of deformation.

One of the major problem in an injection-type agricultural sprayer is measuring and controlling the flow rate of the concentrated chemicals. An electro-mechanical feedback system was designed to control the chemical concentrate flow rate in an injection-type sprayer. The system works well for a fluid with viscosity from 90 to 300 mPa.s and a flow rate from 3 to 20 mL/s (0.1 to 0.68 oz/s). A linear relationship was achieved between the flow rate and metering pump speed. The system also showed a good dynamic performance.

Western Canada has large acreage of oilseed flax, but unfortunately a small percentage of total crop residue (flax straw) produced annually is being commercially used. Therefore, farmers are still burning the flax straw. Flax fiber and straw has highest strength amongst the different natural fibers, therefore, the prospect of using them as biorenewable reinforcement in recycled/ virgin polymer matrices has gained attention in recent years. Flax strawboard has a potential to replace the currently used wood and other crop like wheat/barley straw boards for different industrial application. In this research Oilseed flax straw reinforced composite boards were developed using flax shives with biopolymer binder made out of recycled/ pure thermo plastic and flax fiber. Some advantages of such materials are high strength, low density, good insulation capacity against heat and moisture transfer, and biodegradability.

In order to use computer to carry out quick, accurate and economic design of product shape and colour, a package of AUTOLISP programs was developed which can be run under AUTOCAD main environment. Due to the limitation of AUTOCAD 11.0 and 12.0 in 3-D design of complex curved surface, the 3-D design functions were enhanced in the following aspects: (1) 3-D line JOIN and BREAK commands were developed to join and break 3-D polylines. SPIRAL command was designed to create 3-D cone or cylindrical spiral line. In addition, EFTURN and MEFTURN commands were developed to change the vertex sequence of polyline totally or midway. (2) 3-D elements and characters Existing subroutines were revised to directly generate Box, Cone, Pyramid, Dome or Dish, Torus, Sphere and Wedge ready for solid modeling. Furthermore, CONVEX, HOLE and TUBE commands were developed to generate different kinds of convex, hole and tube respectively.

The Dyna-Bite®* traction system, developed by the Omitrac corporation, consists of a series of retractable spades which can be placed over a conventional tractor drive tires to improve traction under varying soil conditions. An initial model of the traction system was tested in 1986 (1)**. The performance of this model was compared with a 2WD tractor equipped with single drive tires and a front wheel assist (FWA) tractor. More recently, an improved model DB3-RM was evaluated at the University of Saskatchewan. The results were compared with an equally ballasted IH 1086 2WD tractor equipped with single and dual drive wheels (2). Tests for both studies were conducted on a wide range of soil moisture conditions under a variety of drawbar pull levels. Both models of the traction system provided significant traction improvements. Initial model of the traction system performed nearly as good as FWA while the later model proved superior to both single and dual wheels.

Understanding the Relationships between plants and soil is important in the development of methods of crop production. Although physical properties of soil conducive to plant growth can be recognized by experienced observers, many of these properties have not been defined satisfactorily in mathematical or physical terms. A method of measuring penetration resistance and energy exerted by a mechanical seedling (a steel probe simulating a seedling) as it moved upward through the soil surface under different levels of surface compaction and soil moisture was examined. Mechanical seedlings with 2.06, 3.19 and 4.65 mm tip diameters were tested at soil moisture levels of 13, 17, and 20%. The penetration rate of the mechanical seedling while moving through the soil was held constant at 10 mm/min. Results showed that the emergence energy increased directly with soil surface compaction pressure, initial soil moisture content, and mechanical seedling diameters.

A knowledge-based system for agricultural tillage equipment selection and management is presented. There are ten tillage systems suitable for corn and soybean production in Ontario. These systems manipulate the soil by different amounts resulting in varying levels of soil degradation, crop yields, and weed problems. Many factors, such as soil characteristics, climate, farm economics, and environmental impact make the selection of the most appropriate tillage practice a difficult task. Except for mouldboard plough, few farmers have experience operating and managing these tillage systems. Knowledge and information obtained from three experts is incorporated into the knowledge-based computer program to aid farmers in the selection and management of tillage systems. Selection criteria included in the program are environmental impact, management difficulty, economic return, and energy output/input ratio.

A software using the Finite Element Method for machine-soil system was developed with the following features: (1) an iterative increment algorithm for solving dynamic problems with material non-linearity; (2) five strategies for reducing program running time; (3) strategies to utilize the computer memory resources under DOS environment; (4) a complete macro-command system; and (5) an advanced element-library managing structure.

Field tests in sandy loam and clay soils were conducted with simple vertical tillage tools up to a speed of 18 ms-1 (65 km h-1) to determine the influence of soil types on the high-speed performance of tillage tools and the detailed relationship between draft and speed. A non-linear, dynamic finite element method (FEM) was used to simulate the variation in tool draft witii cutting speed. The prospects of high-speed tillage were discussed on tie basis of these experimental and analytical results.

During harvest time, producers lose valuable time due to combine breakdowns because of service problems and availability of parts. A survey was, therefore, conducted across the Province of Saskatchewan to determine problems associated with combine parts availability, combine repair and consumers opinion on combine parts, costs and quality. Out of 200 surveys 43% were returned. Saskatchewan is the major grain producer province in Canada. The survey conducted here will show trends in grain harvesting, combine ownership, parts and repairs, and dealership concerns. A total of 108 combines were reported. John Deere and CaseIH had equal percentages of the market although John Deere combines averaged 4 years newer than the CaseIH ones. Nearly 61% of the combines consisted of model years previous to 1985. Producers listed many repairs with the majority occurring on the farm and only 26% indicating any type of dealership repair.

A new prototype of a single unit till-planting system suitable for Egyptian soil was designed, constructed, and tested under soil bin and field conditions. Measurements were taken for draft, soil mean weight diameter, and seedling emergence. Results indicated that there are potential benefits of using this system rather to other tillage systems under dry and hard soil conditions. An optimum seedbed was created for rapid seedling emergence. Combinations of tillage, planting, and fertilizer application were performed in a single operation to reduce power and time requirements for crop production.

This work is based on comparative study of oilseed flax fibre and glass fibre reinforced composite boards for potential application in automotive industries. The material characterizations of flax and glass fibre-composites using unsaturated polyester as matrix were evaluated. Vacuum infusion was used for fabrication of composites. Flexural, tensile, water absorption and color tests were conducted on the composite boards. The density and the moisture content of flax/glass fibre mats were also measured. Three types of composite boards, including flax, glass and flax-glass sandwich were developed and characterized.