CLIENT: OREGON TOOL, INC. (formerly BLOUNT INTERNATIONAL)
Matching funding provided by: The Oregon Metals Initiative (OMI)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
- Motivation / Goals: The transition from handheld logging to mechanized timber harvesting has greatly increased operational efficiency while shifting the types of workplace hazards in the forest. Mechanized harvester chains operate at significantly higher moving speeds, and examples exist of broken segments of saw chain penetrating the operator enclosure. System and component-level understanding of the circumstances that lead to these events can yield improved harvester-cab barriers and controls, creating a safer working environment for machine operators and other forestry workers.
- Approach: Blount sponsored a PDL project to create a test apparatus to produce chain shot events in a controlled environment in order to measure and develop a scientific understanding of how a chain shot projectile is produced and its resultant properties as it interacts with machine guarding panels.
STAFFING
- PDL graduate students Mark McGuire and Eric Shannon and a number of PDL undergraduate students.
RESULTS
- A two-year project resulted in fully-functioning test apparatus being delivered to Blount’s Oregon facility. The apparatus was built inside a shipping container lined with steel plate and HDPE panels to ensure safe projectile capture. The apparatus is currently being used by Blount Inc.
