MANUFACTURING OF AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY METAL PARTS USING ADDITIVE SHEET LAMINATION TECHNOLOGY

Possibilities and prospects are considered for application of additive sheet lamination technology for direct manufacturing of agricultural machinery metal parts on the example of manufacturing of plow steel beam. Traditional design of plow beam and traditional technology of its manufacturing are analyzed. Modification of the beam design, including formation of multilayer structure and topological optimization with regard to its fabrication has been carried out using additive sheet lamination technology. The experimental sample of the beam of modified design was produced using combined additive and conventional technology and tested as part of the plow. Comparison of the design features and structural scheme of the technological process of the beam manufacturing using the traditional and modified methods is carried out. It is shown that the proposed design and technological developments provide a 17 % and more decrease in the beam weight while maintaining its required functional properties, 1.6 times increase in productivity and 1.4 times decrease in the cost of its manufacture. Thus, the incorporation of additive sheet lamination technology into the traditional technological chain of metal parts manufacturing makes it possible to increase the efficiency of production.