Side Winder Excavation Drum

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The Side Winder Excavation Drum design concept draws inspiration from Archimedes' screw, revolutionizing vertical excavation forces by combining them with axial forces similar to those exerted by a screw. This optimized low gravity excavation device minimizes the need for gravity. Construction/Assembly: Material: High-strength titanium alloys Manufacturing Method: Advanced 3D printing technology Assembly: None required, printed as end product Specifications: Width: 359mm (14 inches) Diameter: 450mm (18 inches) Maximum Scoop Engagement: 146mm (5.7 inches) Theoretical Fill Volume: 44 liters Actual Predicted Fill Volume: 25-30 liters Mass: 4.7kg (10.3 lbs) Working Principles: As the bucket rotates, each helical tapered scoop fills with material, reaching maximum capacity at the top of rotation. The material is then dropped into the drum, while the opening in the end of each scoop prevents stored material from escaping before it reaches the excavation surface. Unloading occurs by reversing the drum's rotation, allowing material to escape through the same mechanism used for excavation. Advantages: Unlike other designs relying on vertical forces alone, this concept utilizes multiple scoops that combine both vertical and horizontal forces. Scoops are arranged for equal engagement at any time, reducing loads on the machine while minimizing fatigue stresses. By arranging two drums in opposing directions, horizontal excavation forces cancel each other out, ensuring maximum redundancy. Next Steps: Further analysis is required to determine the optimal length of helical scoops, striking a balance between material escape prevention and cyclical loading reduction. Additional features such as fillets will be added to reduce stress concentrations, while structural analysis will verify wall thickness sufficiency.