LifeTrac Construction Set

Overview of Need

Affordable, user-centered equipment that can be manufactured wherever stock steel and parts can be obtained as stand

Technology Concept

Transition building of LifeTrac and related machines to fabrication with CNC Torch Table to allow for 1-day builds of each machine. Utilize primarily 1/2" steel and 4"x4" steel tubing for building out modular components. Allows for similarity in buildout of tractor and variants, microtractor, bulldozer, truck, backhoe, power unit, hammermill, sawmill, ironworker machine, microcombine modules, backhoe 360 deg rotation, pelletizer, car, trencher, universal rotor, universal seeder (with plow/disc/cultuvator modules/rotary cutter (hay cutter), hay rake), well drilling rig, and CNC torch table/large Gantry mill.

The rollout sequencing for the second quarter of 2013 looks like this:

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For the above, the Module Based Design strategy looks like this:

Resource Allocation

Machine Rollout and Budget rationale is such:

Strategic Partnerships

• iF Foundation - tractor pilot in Haiti
• College Catts Pressoir - tractor pilot in Haiti
• Guatemala Log - tractor pilot
• Berea College - tractor pilot for 500 acre farm
• Cornell University - agriculture equipment pilot; leader in agriculture on the East Coast, USA
• Olin College - engineering development; radical engineering school
• Global TIES - U.C. San Diego - on machine development
• Adabio - Universal Implement Mount, tractor drawn implements

Implementation Priorities

• Establish Communication Channels - IRC, email, stack overflow, Twitter handle, Facebook group, wiki team page, CiviCRM contact base, True Fans Network? Invite LifeTrac Construction Set moderator.
• Establish Technical Review Team

OSE intends to do Joe's 150hp PowerCube with the most efficient Honda engine - but that engine is $8k with radiator. However, we need it for larger power machines like bulldozer, or simply for more power on the tractor.

Tehnical Strategies

I have been thinking about 4x4 tubing as the industry standard for OSE, in 3/16-1/2" wall thickness. This allows us to do everything from microtractor to tractor to bulldozer frames, backhoes + truck bodies + CNC Torch Table frame + Power Cube frames. For the latter, the power cube itself become highly structural and you can use the Power Cube itself as part of the vehicle frame. To do this, I am considering welded nuts inside the frame member so one could impact wrench the corners quickly and easily, or we can do metal connectors.

Links

• GVCS Rollout Sequencing - 2012-2013 concept
• Prototyping Plan 2013
• 3_Month_Prototyping_Plan_2013