The goal of this project is to optimize and develop the construction of a log splitter. In this project, the strength of materials, statics, and Hydraulic components are chosen and calculated to achieve the desired results. Besides, the final structure is evaluated with FEM -analysis; CAD modeling software Creo Parametric is applied in the 3D model design phase, and SFS standards are used throughout the designing phase as guidance.

This is a three-member team project. My role in this project is to research different types of log splitting machines in the industrial market then analyze and come up with most optimized and potential log splitter design idea. I take care of the essential report documents, theoretical calculations and consult the 3D CAD designing phase.

Generally speaking, the project includes of three main factors: Frame and hydraulic system model design, parametric calculation for each and every components, FEM analysis

We started with choosing the essential hydraulic components to build the log splitter: cylinder, motor, pump, valve and make theoretical calculations.

Valve 4/3 is chosen for the design

Inter fluid commercial hydraulic double acting cylinder bore 80mm, rod 40mm, stroke 300mm, maximum pressure 210 bars.

  Cylinder material: ST52.3 DOM & CDS tube DIN 2393 ISO H8 & H9

  Rod material: EN & DIN UNI CK45, hared chrome plated, min 25 micron

  Honda GX200 engine

  Pump bracket

  EZ – 1092 13.6GPM pump

  5-gallon reservoir

After that, the frame's component are designed and assembled according to the hydraulic system parameters. The materials are chosen as SFS standard guidance. Below shown the manufacturing 2D sketch and the 3D rendered model.

FEM analysis are used to ensure the machine functionality. Equivalent stress, total deformation and buckling analysis is applied onto the model using Creo Simulation

Total deformation: When the load is maximum (the log is stuck, cylinder fully extended), there is high possibility that bottom plate would be severe deformed. However, the beam is not being deformed at all. The maximum deformation is 15.949mm.

Equivalent stress: The stress distribution is mainly found at the bottom base at the weld between the beam body and the axle brackets. According to the result, it is likely more support for the base is needed. The bottom plate shall be modified to handle the stresses from logs' loads and from the splitting force. Maximum equivalent stress is 2873 MPa.

Buckling: Five buckling possibilities are found, as shown in the diagrams. In one case the beam is bended; while in the remaining four cases, the bottom plate is deformed in different ways. The bottom plate needed to be modified for better functionality. 

Conclusion: Overally, we have designed an industrial log splitter that fulfilled the requirement of SFS-EN-609:1 standard about log splitting machine. However, modifications of the machine's base are needed for better performance.