LifeTrac
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| Home | Research & Development | Bill of Materials | Manufacturing Instructions | User's Manual | User Reviews | 
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Overview
LifeTrac is a low-cost, multipurpose open source tractor. It serves as a workhorse backbone for many of GVCS technologies.
Featuring a modular design and detachable PowerCube units, it has the ability to rapidly switch between a variety of GVCS machines via the QA Plate. The machine is overbuilt with a focus on lifetime design and ease of repair.
Four hydraulic motors provide skid steer power to the wheels, and a unique chain tread system enables navigation of fairly extreme terrain.
Preparation
Safety
- Hearing Protection
- Eye Protection
- Steel Toe Boots
- Welding
- Gloves
- Hood
- Apron/Jacket
Workspace
This section describes the various workspace areas that we have found to be useful in fabricating the LifeTrac. It is provided as a suggestion for preparing your work area.
- Storage: For raw steel and parts
- Cutting Area: For use with cutting torch - Made from non-flammable materials
- Welding Table: Usually steel, suitable for use with arc welder (MIG, TIG, stick, etc)
- Ventilation for cutting / welding areas
Tools
- Welder
- Angle Grinder
- Hand Tools
- Crescent wrench
- Socket set
- Hammer
- Metal Cutting Tools
- Bandsaw
- Chopsaw
- Torch
- Paint Tools
- Gravity Fed Paint Sprayer
- Air compressor
Cut Sheet
- This list contains instructions for cutting the raw steel into pieces for assembly. Most will require further cuts before being ready for assembly.
1/2” Thick, 4" x 6" Angle
- 4 @ 6"
1/4” Thick, 2 3/8" Dia Steel Tube
- 1 @ 4 1/2"
5/16” Thick, 2 1/2" Dia Steel Tube
- 4 @ 5"
3/8” x 3" x 6" Steel Tube=
- 1 @ 45"
- 2 @ 100"
¼” x 4" x 4" Steel Tube
- 3 @ 44"
- 2 @ 52"
- 2 @ 55"
- 2 @ 59"
- 3 @ 60"
- 2 @ 68"
- 4 @ 76"
- Totals: 18 Pieces, 90' 4" (round up 10% =~ 100')
Parts Fabrication
- The purpose of this section is to prepare the components for final assembly. This includes cutting steel into required lengths and shapes, drilling, welding and shaping as required for final assembly.
- These step includes drilling and cutting steel up to 1” thick.
¼” x 4" x 4" Steel Tube
- Cut the following lengths:
- Drill 13/16" holes in the following tubes and locations:
- Use cutting torch to cut a 2 3/4" hole as follows:
Assembly
Lower Frame
- Cut the following lengths:
- ¼” x 8” x 12” Plate
- ¼” x 8” x 9” Plate
Vertical Tubes
Upper Frame
Lower Frame
Product Ecology
| From | Uses | Creates | Enables |
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Components |
Status
Currently the Lifetrac is on its second prototype with half a dozen units at Factor e Farm. The machines are currently being prepared for field testing as a part of the Factor e Farm Infrastructure Buildout 2011.
The next prototype aims to integrate as aspects of Digital Fabrication for automated production. Rebar construction is also under consideration.
See also
