The purpose of this report is to analyze the advantages of using programme software to monitor masshauling instead of using the conventional method. A comparsion between different programs will also be conducted in an attempt to determine the most affordable. This report is written for NCC Construction AB to help them choose a software most fitting for future projects.The report is based upon literature such as information taken from the developers website, existing reports with similar context, interviews with sellers of the software and interviews with people working in the building sector.The result of this report shows that there are several advantages with investing in a software that helps the management of a project and that it is something that should be taken under consideration instead of the existing method. Topcon is a clear favorite following the inquiries comparisons as done, when they deliver a complete system and not only a supplement to the current approach. Scanlaser are just in the beginning of its development, and is so far only out with an early version of the software, while Topcon has been brought further in development and therefore has more features in the program. To utilize Topcon we fully recommend that the device HT-30 is used.

Mining and construction industry is due to its specialization an environment that provides opportunities for application of innovative approaches and solutions. Thanks to the increase of human needs, this sector meets the increasing demands. This thesis responds to the development of industry and solves the design of specialized field tilting vehicle for soil transport. It also has set an appropriate form to familiarize the public with the problems and demands, which this type of vehicle meet in practice.

This report represents the bachelor thesis examination by Julia Kastehelmi Rintamäki. The examination has been performed during spring semester 2013 at Volvo Construction Equipment in Eskilstuna. This report, Development of parking brake component, describes the product development process of the parking brake component for articulated hauler, wheel loader and grader. Volvo CE has problems with the parking brake switch that exist today on articulated hauler, wheel loader and grader. The purpose of this project is to develop one common solution for the parking brake component for articulated hauler, wheel loader and grader. The secondary purpose is to find final concept proposal for each machine. Employees at the Volvo CE were interviewed; they were contacted via e-mail, phone calls and via meetings to get the information about the machines and the information around the parking brake component. Volvo CE databases were also used for gathering information about standards and pictures. Lots of different ideas were sketched and concept proposals were created with the aid of material from marketing analysis, competitor analysis, target group analysis, requirement specification, function analysis, standards and ergonomics. Eight concept proposals were chosen to be evaluated with QFD, Pugh’s matrix and FMEA. Two concepts were most suitable and developed further to three dimensional models with the aid of Solid Works. The different aspects were taken into account when designing and dimensioning the final concepts. Two models were created with the aid of plasticine for figuring out the ergonomics and dimensions of the product. DFM, DFA, DFE, D4S were used for taking into account costs, assembly, dimensions and environmental impacts of this product. One of the concepts could replace the existing parking brake switch and suit in different cabins because of its size and design. This concept can be located on vertical or on horizontal plane. The other final concept solution functions better for the  articulated hauler on account of the double function with exhausting brake system activating before parking brake system. Suggestion for next steps for the project could be to make prototypes of the two concepts and test these components in real machines. Also interviewing users for further development of the final concepts and redesign if needed.

This is a project performed by me, Richard Præsto, student at Luleå University ofTechnology, with the intentions to suggest an improvement for the maintenancesystem of Volvo Construction Equipment’s articulated haulers. Today, themaintenance process consists of several different maintenance points and isperformed by maintenance technicians all over the world – but since the machinesneed to be taken out of production in order to receive maintenance, the processneeds to be quick. By researching documents, performing field studies and testingnew ideas, several different solutions were found and evaluated, to eventually befiltered down to one final concept. The final concept, which suggested animprovement of the engine oil and engine filter exchange processes, lived up to theexpectations by fulfilling the project goals and objectives. It was concluded that thesolution was a clear improvement and that it was also applicable to the whole rangeof the VCE machines.

In today’s complex landscape of embedded software systems, the robust integration testing need is more critical than ever. This bachelor’s thesis project delves into the integration testing of an articulated hauler dumping system for Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE). The study focuses on the architecture, functional and safety requirements and overall performance of the system. The complexity of modern construction machinery, driven by sophisticated Electronic Control Units (ECUs), demands precise coordination and flawless operation. Inaccuracies or failures in integrated ECUs can result in operational inefficiencies, safety risks, and substantial downtime costs. This paper offers valuable insights into a systematic approach designed to tackle these challenges head-on within the domain of articulated hauler dumping systems. Our exploration comprehensiveness employed diverse testing methodologies, encompassing scenario-based, boundary and stress testing, integration testing, and user interaction testing. This multifaceted approach enabled a thorough understanding of the system’s behavior, reliability, and responsiveness. The research aims to clarify the importance of comprehensive integration testing and its role in ensuring optimal performance, safety, and complex embedded systems efficiency. This study is a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, and professionals navigating the complexities of embedded systems integration, offering actionable insights and strategies for achieving robustness and reliability in intricate machinery operations.

The current thesis work is based on fatigue testing of welded structures which is completed in collaboration with Volvo CE. Improvement of the technology and customers demands for higher quality products with lower price makes the VCE to invest on the product development projects. One of the projects in VCE focuses on the weight and production cost optimization of the bogie beam on the hauler. The present project is a completion of the previous project with the objective of the fatigue testing of the bogie beam of the hauler under oscillating loads for verification of the expected fatigue life assessed with FEM. In the process of this work, an existing test rig is modified. The strains over the beam are measured through strain gauges mounted on the beam. The simulated model, the stresses and strains are investigated. The fatigue life is evaluated with different fatigue assessment methods. Finally, the outcomes of all the methods for fatigue investigation of the beam are compared and verified. / Detta examensarbete, som utförts för Volvo CE, behandlar utmattningsprov av svetsade konstruktioner. Teknikutveckling och förändrade kundkrav på högre kvalitet till en lägre kostnad är drivkrafter för Volvo CE att investera i produkt- och metodutvecklingsprojekt, som exempelvis det aktuella projektet att optimera vikt och tillverkningskostnad för boggi-balkar till dumprar. Detta projekt är en fortsättning av ett tidigare arbete som hade som mål att verifiera utmattningslivslängden för en boggibalk till en dumper predikterad med FEM, genom att utmattningsprova balken för oscillerande last. Som en del av projektet modifieras en existerande provningsrigg. Töjningar på balken mats med ett antal töjningsgivare monterade på balken. Spännings och töjningfrån den simulerade modellen analyseras och utmattningslivslängden jämförs för olika metoder för att prediktera utmattning. Slutligen jämförs och veriferas dessa metoder.

During the past years an increased focus on the development of autonomous solutions has resulted in driverless vehicles being used in numerous industries. Volvo Construction Equipment is currently developing the TA15, an autonomous hauler part of a larger transport solution. The transition to autonomous haulers have further increased the need for improved system condition monitoring in the strive for increased operational time. A method aiming to identify and isolate faults in the hydraulic steering system on the TA15 was therefore investigated in this thesis. Using fault tree analysis, five faults considered to be of importance regarding steering performance were selected. Two different methods for detecting the faults were compared to each other, data-driven and model based. Out of the two, data-driven was selected as the method of choice due to high modularity and relative simplicity regarding implementation. The data-driven approach consisted of Feed-Forward and Long Short Term Memory networks where the suitable inputs were decided to be a combination of pressure and position signals. Utilizing a simulation model of the steering system validated against the TA15, the selected faults were induced in the simulated system with various severity. Training the networks to classify and estimate fault severity in the simulated model resulted in satisfactory results using both networks. It was however concluded that in contrary to the Feed-Forward network, the LSTM network could achieve good performance using less amount of sensors. Although the diagnostic method showed promising result on a simulation model, test on the real TA15 needs to be performed in order to properly evaluate the method. The advantage of using a data-driven approach was specially noticeable when comparisons were made to the model based approach. The data-driven approach relies on labeling data rather than complete system knowledge. Meaning that the method developed therefore could be applied on practically any hydraulic system in construction equipment by changing the training data.

Master of Agribusiness / Department of Agricultural Economics / Arlo Biere / The objective of this thesis is to examine the factors that a producer will want to consider when choosing the milk cooling and storage system for the dairy farm. The two systems studied are the traditional, on-farm, bulk tank system and the more recently developed, direct tanker loading system that uses glycol chilling plates. As a long-term investment, the choice of the refrigeration and storage system will have an impact on at least four dimensions of the dairy business. The capital cost of the milk cooling/storage system can range from 2% to 5% of the total capital investment in the farm. Milk cooling costs can also account for as much as 25% of the farm’s total electric costs. The system selected can also have an impact on the hauling charges and the hauling charges can account for as much as 10% of the dairy’s gross revenue. Lastly, the storage system selected may influence the range of markets available to the producer as not all processors accept milk from farms using direct tanker loading. Using an economic engineering approach, three hypothetical farm sizes were considered: milking 700, milking 1,400, and milking 2,100 cows. Capital and operating cost data were collected from three major dairy equipment manufacturers that service the Upper Midwest. Capital expenses for each size farm were priced for conventional bulk tanks and then also priced for glycol plate chiller systems that load directly into tanker trailers. The comparison of annualized costs of ownership for all three farm sizes shows only minor differences in the two systems. For the 700 cow farm, a direct tanker loading system saved 0.24% over the total capital investment; for the 1,400 cow farm, a direct tanker loading system saved 0.97%; and for the 2,100 cow farm, a direct tanker loading system saved 1.19%. Thus, differences in hauling charges, which will vary with each situation, become critical to the choice. Because the overall cost of the two systems are so close, one can expect that the peripheral and non-economic issues may be much more influential on each producer’s decision. Given the known differences in hauling charges, one can conclude that for the 700 cow farm, conventional tanks would be the preferred choice. For the 1,400 cow farm and the 2,100 cow farm, the determining factors come down to the differences in hauling charges and long-term goals for the farm business.

<p>Too high levels of noise lead to various health problems and cost society billions of SEK peryear. In this thesis we have examined a model of the A40E articulated hauler at VolvoConstruction Equipment in Braås. We have tried to reduce cabin noise in an articulated hauler,while also providing a way on how to proceed with a machine when the cabin does not measureup to the sound requirement. The best way to find leaks were with a reference source of model4205 and its speaker HP 1001 from Brüel & Kjaer in the cab and then walk around and listen towhere the reference source was more prominent. In this way, we found that the edges and theplugs were sensitive areas. We managed to reduce cabin noise 2.77 dB(A) at 1900 rpm, byisolating certain areas with glass wool. We have also looked at how certain areas individually canreduce cabin noise. We concluded that the isolation of the following areas gave the bestresponse: Cabin ceiling, cabin floor, cabin door, window edges around the dashboard, torpedowall.</p>

Volvo Construction Equipment is highly regarded for robust products, but with an increasing competition in their market, development of the product portfolio is more important than ever. One step being carried out is to reduce losses in powertrains and increase the fuel efficiency for solutions such as articulated haulers and wheel loaders. This would eventually lower the fuel costs and emissions for the end customer. With this development, Volvo CE could strengthen their position in the market while also contributing to reducing the construction industry's environmental impact. By investigating the front bogie axle of the recently introduced hauler, Volvo A60H, important information about possible reductions and the distribution of the current losses were found. The investigation focused on a front bogie axle, but some of the results are applicable for other applications such as wheel loaders as well, since a lot of the technology in the axles are similar. A conceptual study was performed where completely new ideas were generated, such as implementing a dry sump system in the axle, as well as ideas for improving the subcomponents currently found in the axle. Two cases were presented for the evaluation of concepts, one with a fully loaded dump body and low speeds, and one with an unloaded dump body and a wider speed interval. The concepts were later evaluated using calculation tools such as MATLAB and a Simulink-model was created for the losses in the axle. When combining concepts that reduces load dependent losses, a potential reduction of 64% of the axle's total losses was achieved for the case with a full dump body. The largest improvement found for the load independent losses was 8% with an unloaded hauler and the highest speed investigated, 50 km/h. A dry sump system improves the axle's efficiency with 45% in optimal working conditions, but was found to lower the efficiency at other conditions. Room for improvement of axle losses currently exists both for load dependent and load independent losses. The evaluation performed pointed towards the load dependent losses being the largest influence on the total losses, even with an unloaded dump body and high speeds. This is an interesting observation since a lot of work at Volvo CE has revolved around reducing the load independent losses since these are easier to affect with different lubrication levels and rotational speeds. A test methodology for load dependent losses should be implemented in order to validate the results of this thesis work, and also to aid further development at Volvo CE.