WOODCHIPPER

Team 4

Nabil Noor – ZRGKYL

Rajmund Deak – IJHZHX
Dimitrije Drakulic – AHOGUJ
Fifi Thompson – HJ56B9

BSc Students
Széchenyi University
Győr, Hungary

December 5th, 2024

 Abstract

This technical report highlights the essential components of the woodchipper project,
including its design, engineering, and calculations. The project's goal was to develop a
highly efficient woodchipping machine capable of handling a variety of wood materials.
Through a thorough design process and meticulous engineering, the woodchipper was
crafted to align with industry standards for safety, performance, and environmental
sustainability.

1.Introduction
The woodchipper project was undertaken to address the increasing need for efficient wood
processing solutions in the forestry and landscaping industries. The primary goal was to
design and fabricate a cost-effective, home-built woodchipper that delivers high processing
capacity, complies with safety standards, and ensures ease of maintenance. To achieve this,
we used theoretical knowledge of machine elements, further enhanced by insights from a
thorough literature review.

2.Calculations
- P → power - β → contact angle
- vp → velocity of the disk - nm → rpm of the motor
- nd → rpm of the disk - Pn → nominal power per belt
- i → gear ratio - c3→ length factor
- dd1 → small pulley diameter - z → number of belts
- dd2 → big pulley diameter - T → static belt tension
- a → pulley center distance - E → deflection per 100 mm span length
- Ldth → calculated belt length - L → actual drive span length
- Ldst → standard belt length - Ea→ belt deflection
- anom→ actual center distance - vm → velocity of engine
- vmax → velocity of the belt - P → power of engine
- fb → flex rate of the belt - Pallowed → allowed stress in the latches
- c1 → correction factor - Ds → diameter of the shaft

Vm=20 m/s P=8 kW

Table 1. Given engine parameters

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 n 1 dd 1 3500
Gear (pulley) ratio: i= = i= =2.3333
n 2 dd 2 1500

Shaft

Material : S275 metal

b=12 mm h=8 mm t1=5 mm M’=40 Nm l=6 mm Ds=40 mm

Table 2. Shaft parameters

'
2∗M ∗1000 2∗40∗1000
τ= = =27.77778 Mpa
Ds∗l∗b 40∗6∗12

V-belt drive:

Load factor: c2=1.6

Design power: Pb=P∗c 2=8∗1.6=12.8

Selected belt :
SPZ V belt

Pulley diameters:
d d 1=112mm d d 2=250 mm

Datum length of V-belt:

Ldth =2∗a+1.57∗¿

We need next closest length of standard SPZ belt so : Ldst =1487

Centre distance:
Ldth −Ldst
a nom ≈ a− =491.958 mm
2

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Speed and flex rate of belt

d d 1∗nd
V= =19.63 m/s
19100

2∗1000∗V −1
f b= =26.406 s
L dst

Arc of contact and connection factor:

d d 2−d d 1 250−112
= =0.304
a 491.958

o
β=162 c1=0.99 c3=0.98

P∗c2 8∗1.6
Number of belts : = =1.412 this means we need more than 1.4
P n∗c 1∗c3 8.79∗0.99∗0.98
belts, which is 2.

Minimum static tension per belt :

d d 2∗( 2.04−c 1 )∗Pb 2 250∗( 2.04−0.99 )∗12.8 2
T= +0.07∗V = +0.07∗19.63 =113.4155 N
c 1∗2∗V 0.99∗2∗19.63

Initial installation: T = 113.4155 * 1.6 = 181.4649 N

Minimum static shaft load :

β 162
Sa =2T∗sin ∗2=2∗181.4649∗sin ∗2=112.1515 N
2 2
Sa =112.1515∗1.6=179.4423

Belt deflection:
1.6∗L 162
E a= L=anom∗sin =448.353 mm
100 2

1.6∗448.353
E a= =7.176 mm
100

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 3.Design

3.1 Specifications

Our woodchipper, designed by our team, specifically designed for all kinds of wood stands at
height of 100cm, has a length of 130 cm and width of 77cm. While designing we had to take
into consideration optimizing its size with performance. It weighs around 80 kg, but it has
wheels which make for easy transportation around the yard.

Figure 1. Top-Left View

Figure 2. Left view

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3.1 Main parts
Woodchipper is comprised of a lot of different parts each doing its own part in synchronous
work of this machine, but we can separate 3 main ones which are: Mobile Platform, Engine
and Housing.

1. Mobile Platform

The chassis on which the rest of woodchipper is secured to and thing allowing its easy
mobility is comprised of 3 1m long metal tubes which are welded together to give stability
and support to rest of woodchipper. On top of that, 2 smaller pieces of tube are welded on to
chasis to give stability during chipping wood.

2. Engine

For our engine we decided on 3-phase, 8 kW power electric motor found from Hungarian
manufacturer for easier acquiring. (Figure 3.) It is housed in aluminum casing and secured to
chassis with 8 M14x20 bolts to hold it tightly in place which is important for general security
during usage.
Power from the engine to cutting disc is transported by 2 SPZ-V belts, making whole thing
highly power efficient. We also added belt tensioner to account for a bit of loose belt needed
for easier mounting on pulleys. (Figure 4.)

Figure 3. Belt tensioning system

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 3. Housing

The last but not least of the main parts is housing. More specifically it is housing for cutting
disc and belts assuring maximum efficiency and safety for the user. Housing for cutting disc
is made of metal sheets 3.3 mm in thickness making sure that woodchips and blades of cutter
don’t fly out in case of failure. Housing for belts is made of lighter material, aluminum sheets
as it won’t be enduring any hard beating. It is mainly there to ensure that one’s hand can’t get
stuck in the system and pulled in. Woodchipper also have 2 tubes, one intake, bigger for
easier feeding of wood into system and smaller, output one for shooting out chips. On intake
tube is also located safety kill switch (Figure 5.) in case of accident so it can be easily
reached. It also has a hole at the bottom of the cutting rotor casing, closed by a sliding metal
plate. This provides an opportunity to easily clean the casing for any leftover woodchips.

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 Fig4: Emergency kill switch

Figure 5. Cutter casing opening with sliding plate

3.3 CAD design

CAD design was made using our previously acquired knowledge and skills in 3D designing
using Fusion 360. It helped give our thoughts a picture so we can share it with the rest of our
classmates.

4.Literature review
One of main parts when starting a project is literature review on which we spent substantial
amount of time ensuring that we are closely familiar with our task and demand on todays
market. Most of technical literature related to design and calculation was provided by our
professor on SZE learning page (link 1), and rest we found on different websites such as “K-
max power” (link 2) and “SCRIBD” (link 3).

Link 1 - https://szelearning.sze.hu/course/view.php?id=12612
Link 2 - https://www.k-maxpower.com/The-Working-Principles-and-Necessity-of-Wood-
Chippers-id69202817.html

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Link 3 - https://www.scribd.com/document/619283667/Document-Design-and-Construction-
of-a-Wood-Chipper-NH

5.Conclusion

At the end, project was successful, it met our expectations and given parameters. Collective

effort of whole team, carefully and evenly distributed tasks and teamwork allowed us to build

this power-efficient, eco-friendly, high-quality and low-cost woodchipper for everyday use.

Calculations, thoroughly done and detailed in calculations section, ensured woodchippers

efficiency and safety. In summary, the woodchipper project exemplifies effective teamwork,

innovative engineering, and meticulous implementation. The seamless integration of its

components, along with the timely achievement of project goals, establishes the woodchipper

as a valuable tool in the field of home wood processing equipment.

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