Development of a test device for evaluation of thrown object hazards.
High-speed chains or rotating disks are commonly used to cut and process trees during forest harvesting operations. Mechanical failure or fatigue of these tools can lead to a potentially hazardous situation where fragments of chain or sawteeth are thrown through the operator enclosures on forest machines. Therefore, a test device is needed to evaluate the ability of a forest machine cab to resist puncture by thrown objects. This articles details the development of a high-pressure pneumatic launch system that propels sawteeth and chain fragments at velocities in excess of 150 m/s. This article also discusses the performance of the device following the first series of projectile launches.
Veal
M W
MW
Department of Biosystems Engineering, Auburn University, 200 Tom Corley Building, Auburn, AL 36849, USA. vealmat@eng.auburn.edu
Taylor
S E
SE
Rummer
R B
RB
Baier
J W
JW
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D016468:Forestry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008328:Man-Machine Systems; D008875:Middle Aged; D011482:Protective Devices / Q000592:standards*; D017751:Safety Management / Q000379:methods*