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Close-up of injection knives.

Design Process:

• Specification development
• Engineering evaluation & design
• Prototype fabrication & testing
• Click here for description

Machine Details:

• Independently suspended rollers held down with air springs follow contours of the terrain and allow a small turning radius for maneuverability.
• Stainless steel knives inject polymer to a 3 inch depth
• 5-65 hp tractor can tow the machine and provide power for hydraulic, PTO, and electrical systems .
• 7 mph max speed can cover up to 2-3 acres per hour with a 54 inch operating width.
  

The machine was designed for American Soil Technologies, Inc. (AST), a California based company specializing in products that will decrease water use in arid regions for agricultural, horticultural, and turf-related applications.  AST was in need of a machine to apply their product into existing turf, but did not have the technical resources to develop an implement.  Experienced engineers at Diedrichs developed machine concepts, completed a detailed design, and built this prototype machine.  Their experience also helps them to recognize potential technical problems and provide support for such issues.

Link for further information about polymers...

:: American Soil Technologies, Inc.

Graphic Animation

These graphic animations show three different views of the polymer injection machine traveling over variable terrain.  The terrain was created by piecing together computer generated strips having different elevations.  Note that shading is used to distinguish the varying elevation strips as the machine travels across the surface.  The individual machine parts were first modeled in Pro/ENGINEER®, then assembled and animated using Virtual Lab.  In the videos, notice the independent up and down movement of the rollers and roller supported arms as they move over the contour of the land.

Angled View (.5 MB)  Rear View (.5 MB) Side View (.5 MB)

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