Construção e instrumentação de pórtico rolante para movimentação de transformadores no Instituto de Redes Inteligentes (INRI)

Abstract

Currently, the Intelligent Networks Institute (INRI) linked to the Technology Center (CT) of the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM) does not have any system for moving transformers in the truck body. To solve this problem, Seixas (2020) developed the design of a gantry crane using a product design methodology that attended the macro-phases of planning and design to the detailed design phase in a partial way. Thus, this work aims to continue the macro-phase of design and detailed design phase of the gantry crane. Within this phase, the construction and assembly of the gantry crane was fulfill, as well as instrumentation and initial field tests. For this, a review of the fundamental concepts and phases of product design methodology was develped. The manufacture of the gantry crane was executed at the Nucleus of Automation and Manufacturing Processes (NAFA) and the assembly was carried out at INRI. Instrumentation and initial testing were also compass at INRI using a data acquisition system composed of an embedded controller with a data acquisition module, cables and strain gauges to measure the deformation of the structure. The test consisted of applying different loads to the structure with the aid of an electric hoist and standard masses, using a data acquisition system to collect the deformation of the structure. As a result of the fabrication and assembly, a 10-ton capacity crane was obtained that meets INRI's needs in the loading and unloading processes of transformers in commercial trucks. The instrumentation and test results show an unexpected behavior in strain acquisition with strain gauges, generating unsatisfactory results, not being recommended for use by other authors. Such behavior may have been caused by an inadequate gluing process of the strain gauges or by failures in the test procedure. New tests on the gantry structure are necessary to validate the structure and, consequently, allow advancing to the macro-phase of implementing the product design methodology.