Design and Structural Analysis of the Shaft in an Oil Palm Plantation Fertilizer Spreader Machine Using SolidWorks Simulation

Abstract

The oil palm plantation sector requires efficient fertilizer management to increase productivity. One of the most important components in a fertilizer spreader machine is the shaft, which functions to transmit power from the motor to the fertilizer-spreading mechanism. This study aims to design and analyze the strength of the shaft of a fertilizer spreader machine so that it can operate stably and safely with optimal power-transmission capability without experiencing structural failure. The research methodology involved theoretical calculations and simulation analysis using SolidWorks 2020 software. The material used for the shaft was AISI 1045 Steel Cold Drawn. The analysis was carried out by evaluating the von Mises stress, displacement, and safety factor values based on the load applied to the system. The results show that the shaft receives a maximum von Mises stress of 1.33 MPa from the theoretical calculation and 8.1 MPa from the simulation, both of which remain far below the yield strength of AISI 1045 Steel Cold Drawn. The maximum displacement obtained is very small, at 0.005 mm theoretically and 0.033 mm from the simulation, indicating excellent shaft stiffness. Based on the calculation results, the safety factor obtained is 398.5 theoretically and 65.6 from the simulation, so the shaft design is declared safe against the risk of structural failure. In conclusion, this shaft design is feasible for use in a fertilizer spreader machine because it has high mechanical resistance and is able to support a stable power-transmission system.