Reimagining Heavy Equipment Design - Etteplan uses Altair® Inspire™ for Tree Harvester Component

Etteplan Oyj is a global technology service company specializing in software, embedded systems, engineering solutions, and technical communication, with deep expertise in additive manufacturing (AM) and virtual design validation. Tasked by one of its clients, a renowned manufacturer of agricultural plants and equipment looking to enhance its products and improve the harvesting process, Etteplan revisited the design of a cast steel extension boom-end of a tree harvester. This large, heavy part is designed to resist both static and dynamic forces throughout its arduous working environment. Working with its customer, Etteplan specialists chose Altair’s simulation-driven design for manufacturing (DfM) tools to initially demonstrate the design-development, manufacturing, and physical testing of the optimized AM part’s durability. Then, the company re-examined the design so it could be manufactured via casting – a more affordable mass production process.