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Let's dive into how the number of scrapers affects our production efficiency when paired with a pusher. Can anyone tell me what happens when we use fewer scrapers than the ideal number?
The scrapers can become the bottleneck for production, right?
Exactly! When we have fewer scrapers, they control the production speed because the pusher might end up waiting for them to load. Let's use the acronym 'SCRAPE' to remember this concept: S - Scrapers, C - Control, R - Reduced, A - About, P - Production, E - Efficiency. Can anyone remember our calculations with five scrapers?
It was around 636 bank cubic meters per hour!
Correct! How about if we increase to six scrapers?
Then the production is controlled by the pusher!
Right! The production output is now higher, at 723 bank cubic meters per hour. Great job summarizing!
Now let's look at unit production costs. Why do you think calculating these costs is important in construction decision-making?
To determine the most cost-effective method for achieving higher productivity!
Exactly! We need to balance production efficiency with cost. Can someone explain how we calculate the unit cost from the given data?
We add the hourly cost of scrapers and pushers and then divide by the output volume!
Spot on. So, if we had five scrapers and the unit cost was 44.12 rupees per bank cubic meter, why might we prefer this combination?
Because it's cheaper than using six scrapers!
Exactly! Always aim for the most economical yet productive solution.
Let's shift our focus to rimpull and its significance. What does rimpull mean in our context?
It refers to the usable force produced by the scraper at the wheel-ground contact!
Precisely! Now, how does rimpull relate to horsepower and traction?
It determines how effectively the engine's power can be converted into useful work depending on the traction.
Correct! A higher coefficient of traction means more power can be translated into work. Remember, we can calculate the maximum rimpull by the formula: Maximum Usable Rimpull = Coefficient of Traction x Weight on Powered Wheels. Can someone summarize this with an example?
If the coefficient of traction is 0.7 and the weight on powered wheels is 38,000 kg, that's about 26,600 kg of rimpull!
Perfect example!
We've covered rimpull extensively. Now, let’s assess how altitude affects our equipment's performance. What happens to power at higher altitudes?
The performance decreases due to lower air density and fuel-to-air ratio!
Exactly! Remember the guideline of deducting 3% rimpull for every additional 300 meters above 300 meters? Can anyone provide the calculations for our machine at 600 meters?
We deduct 3% for the second 300 meters, which amounts to 547 kg from our earlier rimpull!
Fantastic! This shows how crucial understanding site conditions is for effective machine operation.
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The section details how the number of scrapers impacts production efficiency and cost, analyzing scenarios with five and six scrapers. It also touches on rimpull calculations to determine if the machine can adequately perform required tasks, especially under varying conditions such as altitude and material resistance.
This section discusses the economics of using scrapers in construction machinery, with a particular focus on the number of scrapers to be used in conjunction with a pusher. It begins by analyzing scenarios where fewer or more scrapers than the optimal number are used, affecting productivity. For instance, with five scrapers, production is controlled by the availability of scrapers, resulting in a calculated output of 636.89 bank cubic meters per hour. Conversely, with six scrapers present, the production shifts to being pusher-controlled, yielding a higher rate of 723.36 bank cubic meters per hour.
The section emphasizes that operational efficiency must be assessed alongside production costs. It outlines the necessary calculations to derive unit production costs, ultimately guiding the decision to favor the combination of equipment that minimizes this cost while maximizing output. Also examined are the factors contributing to rimpull and how it correlates with horsepower, evaluating rimpull levels required to overcome rolling and grade resistance under specific site conditions, including altitude corrections.
Through these analyses, an understanding of how different gears and scrapers affect productivity and cost is reinforced, leading to operational decisions in scraper applications.
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Now, let us consider the economics of going for 5 scrapers. So, 5 in the sense you are going to use lesser than what is needed, you are assuming 5 that means you are going to use the number of scrapers lesser than what is needed. So, when the number of scrapers are lesser than the balanced number so obviously scrapers are more critical, but a pusher will have the ideal time. Your pusher will wait for the scraper.
In this section, we first need to understand the impact of using an inadequate number of scrapers, which is less than what is considered optimal (or the balanced number). When you have fewer scrapers, these machines become critical in the workflow—they control production because they directly dictate how quickly material can be moved. In contrast, the pusher, which supports the scraper, will often be idle because it cannot operate without the scraper being ready to do its job. This imbalance can lead to inefficiencies, as the pusher waits for the scraper to catch up.
Imagine a relay race where one runner consistently trips or is slower than the others. The baton (or load) waits for this slower runner, causing delays for the whole team. Similarly, in this scenario, the pusher (like the other athletes) can’t keep moving efficiently because the scraper is not ready with the load.
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So, now, let us see the productivity in this case of n equal to 5 scrapers. How to estimate the production of this scraper? The volume of your bowl volume per load, you know the value of 19.82 bank cubic meter.
Now that we have established the critical nature of the scrapers, we move on to calculating their productivity. For five scrapers, we look at the bowl volume of each scraper, which is given as 19.82 bank cubic meters. This volume is crucial for understanding how much material each scraper can carry per load. To estimate total productivity, we need to factor in the number of scrapers, the volume each can carry, and the cycle time required to complete one loading operation.
Think of a school bus making trips to carry students to a field trip. If the bus can hold 19.82 students per trip and you have five such buses, the total number of students moved in one trip would be 5 x 19.82. Similarly, here every scraper's limit adds to the overall productivity.
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Production (Scraper controlling) min Efficiency, hr = ×no. of scrapers ×vol. per load Cycle time of scraper, min 50 min/hr = ×5 ×19.82 bcm = 636.89 bcm/hr 7.78 min.
Now we apply a formula to derive the hourly production rate of the scrapers. Assume a cycle time of 7.78 minutes for loading. By converting the cycle time to hours, along with considering that in an hour, the scrapers effectively work for 50 minutes due to efficiency losses, we can calculate the production output. Multiplying the number of scrapers (5) with the volume per load (19.82 bank cubic meters), we divide by the total cycle time (converted to hours) to get 636.89 bank cubic meters per hour as the productivity of 5 scrapers.
Just as a factory can produce a specific number of products every hour based on how many machines (or workers) are in operation and how long it takes for each to complete a task, here, we’re calculating how much material can be processed per hour based on the scrapers' capacities and cycle times.
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If n is greater than the balance number that means you are going to use more number of scrapers, then what is indicated by the balance number. In this case, scrapers will have the ideal time. Scrapers are not critical.
Moving forward, when the number of scrapers exceeds the balanced number—meaning we have more than what is optimal—the situation changes. The additional scrapers won't improve productivity as they might experience idle time waiting for the pusher to clear the load. Here, the pusher becomes the critical component. It is this machine that will dictate production flow since it now has to keep up with more scrapers. Therefore, the cycle time of the pusher is vital to maintain efficient operations.
Think of a busy restaurant kitchen. If you have a surplus of chefs but only one oven, the chefs may stand around waiting for their turn to cook rather than being productive. The oven (like the pusher) becomes the bottleneck in the workflow.
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In this case pusher will be controlling the production. Pusher cycle time is critical. So, unless a pusher is available, I cannot complete my job.
This portion emphasizes the role of the pusher when there are excess scrapers. The pusher's cycle time, or the time it takes to do its task, becomes pivotal in determining overall production capacity. If the pusher cannot keep up with the increased number of scrapers, production halts. Thus, if we want to increase productivity further, it is necessary to assess whether we need to adjust not just the number of scrapers, but also ensure that the pusher can handle the workload.
Consider a concert where there are many musicians but only one sound engineer. If the engineer can’t manage all the instruments, the performance will suffer. The engineer, like the pusher, must efficiently manage all the inputs to deliver excellent results.
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Key Concepts
Scraper Control Dynamics: The number of scrapers alters production control dynamics and efficiency.
Unit Production Cost Analysis: A crucial aspect of equipment selection based on productivity and cost.
Rimpull Calculation: Understanding rimpull is pivotal for effective machinery operation, particularly with variable conditions.
See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.
When using five scrapers, the production output is 636.89 bank cubic meters per hour, which reduces to a bottleneck scenario.
With six scrapers, the production rises to 723.36 bank cubic meters per hour, indicating improved efficiency.
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Scrapers five in tow, production slows, but if we add one more, efficiency grows!
Once upon a time, scrapers struggled to keep up with workload, until the wise guide introduced an extra scraper and the productivity soared like a rocket!
Remember 'S.P.E.E.D': Scraper Production Efficiency Effectively Delivers more.
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Review the Definitions for terms.
Term: Rimpull
Definition:
The usable force at the point of contact between the wheel and the ground, crucial for assessing productivity in machinery.
Term: Horsepower
Definition:
A unit of measurement for power, reflecting the strength of the engine in machinery.
Term: Production Efficiency
Definition:
A measure of output produced with respect to resources used, often evaluated in construction contexts.
Term: Unit Production Cost
Definition:
The total cost of production divided by the volume produced, used to determine economic viability.
Term: Cycle Time
Definition:
The total time taken to complete one cycle of loading, transporting, and unloading.