| A
major supplier of tractors had a problem, they needed a modified
tractor bonnet kit for the European market. The problem was the
range of tractors had a bonnet and side panels which were bolted
to the tractor.
This meant it could
not be removed without first removing the fixing bolts, this took
several minutes to accomplish. The need was to be able to release
and lift the bonnet for quick access in the field, safely. An
original version had been created using field modifications via
the local dealers, a factory quality version was needed urgently
if the market opportunity was to be grasped.
Polydon engineers were called in.
The brief, to create a simple to operate, easily manufactured, universal
kit which was within a budget. Polydon accepted the challenge. Polydon
engineers worked with the manufacturers personnel and their safety
and aesthetic design criteria. Our design engineers created a hinge
assembly and latching mechanism, here our C.A.D. 3 D design programmes
were vital in helping create the components and calculate the critical
dimensions. Once the
working drawings were produced the prototype could be manufactured,
these were fitted to a variety of tractors to test the designs.
Field trials were carried out under the rigours of farm use for
final inst- ructions from the client. Polydon Industries tooled
up to manufacture 2000 units per annum, however the story does
not end there, the resulting product was so successful that within
weeks the forecast and therefore the production had to be increased
10 fold, which Polydon achieved. |
