VIRTUAL REALITY TECHNIQUE FOR MARKETING AND DISPLAY OF

AGRO MACHINES
(A project work undertaken at Mahaveer Electomechanical Works Pvt. Ltd,
M.I.D.C. Akola)
Authors: Prof. S.K. Patil
Lecturer, college Of Engineering & Technology, Akola (M.S.)
Prof. D.S. Ingole
Asst professor, college Of Engineering, Badnera (Rly), Dist: Amravati (M.S.)
Prof. D.V. Shirbhate
Lecturer, college Of Engineering & Technology, Akola (M.S.)

INTRODUCTION:
This paper explains how the VRML (Virtual reality modeling language)
capability is used for the display and marketing of various agro machines fabricated at
Mahaveer Electomechanical Works Pvt. Ltd, M.I.D.C. Akola. The assembly of the
machines is quite complex and size is considerable, therefore the marketing people were
finding it difficult to give live demonstration of the actual machines to their customer.
The problem was referred by Prof. S.K. Patil to Prof. Dipak shirbhate who is doing his
M.E. in production Technology and management and his guide Prof. D.S. Ingole. The
problem was taken as a topic for project work titled “ Modeling and simulation of various
products of Mahavir Electromechanical Works, Akola”

The Brief Description Of The Machines Taken for Project:

Mahavir electromechanical works Pvt ltd. is engaged in manufacturing of agro

machines supplied all over India. The brief description of the machines taken for the
project is as follows.

MAHAVIR D-Series Destoner

MEPL Destoner assures unbeatable reliability and performance. Most effective solution
for separation of stones, mud balls and dust from seeds/grains.

APPLICATION:
For continuous separation of stones from a stream of granular material. Simple and
dependable separation on the basis of the difference in terminal velocity of the material
and of the heavy impurities such as stone, metals, glass etc.

WORKING PRINCIPLE:
A feeder spreads the gravity-fed grain across the entire width of the machine. On
separation screen, the stream of material is stratified according to its specific gravity by
the oscillating motion of the screen and the air flowing through the material from bottom
to top. The light particles collect at the top and the heavy ones including the stones at the
bottom. The lower layers of stones flow upward and are separated out. The stone free
stream of materials float on cushion of air, flowing slowly towards the material outlets.
The inclination of the screens, the air volume and final separation can be individually
adjusted to achieve the optimum degree of separation.
Dust Collection System:
Some products are contaminated with dust chaff and other light impurities, which
are to be separated. The provision of special fan for removing the said impurities
can be given as an optional arrangement.
Adjustment: All the adjustment provided in the machine is simple and user friendly.
Machine Capacity:
Due to the wide variation in separation requirements, MFPL cannot guarantee these
specific capacities; however, estimates in the table are conservative and have been
equaled or exceeded when the destoner and other associated equipment have been
installed and operated properly. The destoner requires a firm foundation, an
adequate clean air source and uniform feed rate.
: Technical Specification:

Model Capacity Power in HP Dimensions

2 HP Length - 1300 mm
Width - 960 mm
D-2
2 TPH Height - 2000 mm
D-1.5
3 HP Deck size
(With dust collection) 870 x 740 mm

MAHAVIR G-Series Gravity separator

Mahavir Gravity Separator is used to separate any of dry particles similar in size &
shape, but having different in specific weight. Gives best result in gradation of seed
as well as grains.

WORKING PRINCIPLE:
It works on principle of Gravity' (weight) difference in the particles. For efficient
density separation on different variety of seed or grain. Proper adjustment of deck
inclination (longitudinal & transverse). Deck oscillation speed & setting of air of
multi fan is necessary. The above adjustment can be done very easily while machine
is in running condition.
DUST CONTROL:
Certain seed/ grains contain dust; chaff & other light impurities make pollution in
atmosphere. To control this air pollution as per system can provide with optional
arrangement based on customer required.

FEATURES:
 Blower of aerodynamic design gives very high efficiency and avoids noise.
 Sturdy & compact design.
 Easy airflow adjustment.
 Filters provided to avoid entry of dust in blowers.
 Rectangular deck ensures excellent separation.
 Multi fan arrangement ensures exact ensures air flow requirement in
different deck areas.
 : Technical Specification:

No. of Dimension in
Model Capacity Power
Fan mm
MG-1 3 Fans 1 TPH 5.0 HP
2200 x 1150 x
MG-2 5 Fans 2 TPH 7.5 HP
650
MG-4 7 Fans 4 TPH 10.0 HP

MAHAVIR A-Series Air Classifier

This machine is the effective solution for separating light seed / grain, dust, impurities
from good quality grain/ seed.
Working Principle: The seed/grain are initially fed to feeding hopper. Through feeding
hopper grains are pneumatically conveyed to top classifying feed chamber. The grains are
conveyed through rectangular conveying duct. Stones, chaff dust are separated out from
grains & are collected in top feed chamber. From top feed chamber, grains are fed to
classifying duct where high velocity air stream separates light grains, light impurities
from good quality grain. Separate chute is provided for collecting good quality grain,
light grains dust & chaff.
Special Features:
• Grading of grain is done by high velocity air stream.
• Removes dust, light impurities, trash from grain.
• Low quality immature grain and broken grains are separated from good quality
grain.
• Self-pneumatic feeding, hence no need of bucket elevator.
• Glass panel is provided to observe process of separation and for accurate
adjustment.
• No screen, deck or any moving part, hence maintenance free.
: Technical Specification:

Model Electrical Power Capacity

MEPL 4 7.5 HP 4 TPH
MEPL 2 5.0 HP 2 TPH
MEPL 1 3.0 HP 1 TPH
MAHAVIR
W - SERIES WEIGHER
Special Features:
• Electronic Setting Facility.
• Load Cell based
• Accuracy 0.1%
• Range 20-100 Kgs.
• Capacity - 60 Bags of 100 Kgs. per hour.
• Facility of Conveyor.
 • Facility of stitching of gunny bag.
• Structure - Powder coating, hence long life.
• Easy clamping & decamping of Gunny bag.
• Storage bin capacity - 750 Kgs.
• Only one Operator requires operating the machine.
• Pneumatically operated feed gate system.

: Technical Specification:

Dimension
Model Capacity Power Reqd.
(Mtr.)
WS
20-100 Kgs. 2 HP (Conveyor) 3 x 1 x 2.5
-100

Problems reported by marketing people:

Marketing people reported following problems.
1) Considering the complexity and size of machine, the transportation of the
machines is costly to give demonstration at customer site.
2) Considerable amount of grain is needed for demonstration (trial run).
3) Three-phase power supply is needed to run such heavy machines.
4) Firm foundation is required for trail run.
5) All the technicians associated with the machines are required to remain present at
the time of trail run.
6) All the accessories and spares should be available for demonstration. As the
machines are manufactured on job order basis, there is less possibility that all the
spares get available.

Virtual 3d models of the machines (solution to above problem)

By carefully analyzing the problems reported by marketing people, it was felt
that virtual 3d working models would be very useful to tackle the above problem.
Following are the benefits of 3d working models.
1. 3d working models are as real as actual machines. They give the same feeling as
that of actual machine.
2. They are very informative in case of explaining complex mechanisms and
processes as in our case.
3. The virtual models created were interactive. Customer can see the working
machine models interactively ie. They can walk around the machine, go inside the
machine, and view it through various angels. The phenomenon is very similar to
playing games on computer.
Methodology of the project:
Keeping in view all the aspects of problem, it was decided that the 3d models of
the machines must be made. Pro/e was chosen as modeling software for this purpose. All
the parts of machines ware modeled in part mode of pro/e and then they were assembled
in assembly mode of pro/e. choosing pro/e, as modeling software was beneficial in
following respect.
1. As the design department keeps on modifying the Agro machines as per customer
requirements frequent modifications are allowed by pro/e being a parametric
modeling package.
2. Due to bi-directional associative nature of pro/e, parts modified in part mode get
automatically updated in assembly mode. This process is quiet easy as compared
to modifying the parts in assembly created in AutoCAD.

Simulation of mechanisms and process in 3ds max studio: the simulation of

mechanism can be done in pro/e as well but in this case, it was needed to simulate the
grains also to show the simulation of process. All the assemblies were exported in 3ds
max studio format and then they were simulated.

USE OF VRML (virtual reality modeling language) FOR PRESENTATION:

VRML was chosen as presentation software as VRML is shareware

software. Any user can download the plug in from Internet. The VRML format also
enables to upload the models on web when required. In the future, it is proposed that
all the models will be uploaded on web, which will eliminate the need to carry the CD
with marketing person. Any customer having the access to Internet can download the
working models from Internet and view them on his own.

Conclusion
The above project was carried out keeping in view the need and difficulty of
marketing department of the company. As pro/e was chosen as modeling software
there are much more possible uses of 3d assemblies created in Pro/e. Pro/e can be
used to create tool path generation for manufacturing of part. The rapid prototype of
parts as well as assemblies can be created by exporting the assemblies in pro/e to *.stl
format (*.stl format is used in rapid prototype process). The parts created in pro/e can
be optimized as well as analysis can be carried out on them. Automated inspection
devices can be coupled with pro/e to have automatic inspection but this applicable
where mass production is required. Besides marketing, the moving 3d models of
machines are useful in educating the farmers or workers regarding the operation of
machines. The moving 3d virtual models will be also useful to the company to
display their products in trade fairs or exhibitions of agro machines.