ABE Farm Door Automation
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Since 1905, the Department of Agricultural Engineering, now the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE), has been a leader in providing engineering solutions to agricultural problems in the United States and the world. The department’s original mission was to mechanize agriculture. That mission has evolved to encompass a global view of the entire food production system–the wise management of natural resources in the production, processing, storage, handling, and use of food fiber and other biological products.
History
In 1905 Agricultural Engineering was recognized as a subdivision of the Department of Agronomy, and in 1907 it was recognized as a unique department. It was renamed the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering in 1990. The department merged with the Department of Industrial Education and Technology in 2004.
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1905–present
Historical Names
- Department of Agricultural Engineering (1907–1990)
Related Units
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (parent college)
- College of Engineering (parent college)
- Department of Industrial Education and Technology, (merged, 2004)
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Abstract
The Hydroswing door for large equipment access to the south end of the Harvest Storage and Transportation building requires manual operation through the entirety of the open/close cycle. The operation of the door has risks concerning the safety of people and equipment. The door must have a safety device in place to make sure there is no equipment or personal in the way while closing.
o The client is an entity of Iowa State University located on the ISU BioCentury Research Farm.
o Manually operating the door creates wasted time because it requires a person to stand by the button for about five minutes while the door is in operation.
o Automating the door would allow the client to open the door by simply pressing a button, allowing the operator of the door to be able to carry out another task, examples would be preparing or moving equipment, while the door is running.
o There is a safety concern with the door being hydraulic; it will cause damage to anything in the path of the door while in operation.
o This problem is common among Hydroswing doors. They are common with aircraft hangers and other commercial buildings that need a large door for moving equipment in and out of the building.
o The solution can be implemented to other doors that are similar in design.