cutting edge proposal
DESCRIPTION
Farms seek to reduce operating expenses by optimizing mechanized operations, such as traversing fields. Fields are traversed when plowing, planting, harvesting, and mowing. While some of these need to be completed once per season, mowing needs to be performed many times during the season. We sought to quantify costs by modeling mowing through a graphical simulation of the process. We studied how different movement patterns affect efficiency and costs. Mowing is the model, but the results apply to all field operations. Two results from our work that will be presented: a parametrized, functional model for mowing a rectangular field and a graphical computer simulation. We found that a spiral pattern is more efficient than a rectangular method. The spiral is more efficient primarily due to the decreased number of unproductive turns. The simulation is designed to be made available to farmers to design more efficient traversal patterns for their fields.TRANSCRIPT
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
The Cutting Edge:Modeling Mowing
Jason NovingerMentor: Dr. Jon Beck
June 13, 2006
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
Acknowledgement
Also the LATEXsystem for providing such a simpleand powerful way to typeset my proposal and this
presentation.
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
Outline of Presentation
• Why should we study mowing patterns?
• What in the world are we researching?
• Who else is researching this?
• How will we conduct the research?
• When and where will we report our results?
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
Outline of Presentation
• Why should we study mowing patterns?
• What in the world are we researching?
• Who else is researching this?
• How will we conduct the research?
• When and where will we report our results?
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
Outline of Presentation
• Why should we study mowing patterns?
• What in the world are we researching?
• Who else is researching this?
• How will we conduct the research?
• When and where will we report our results?
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
Outline of Presentation
• Why should we study mowing patterns?
• What in the world are we researching?
• Who else is researching this?
• How will we conduct the research?
• When and where will we report our results?
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
Outline of Presentation
• Why should we study mowing patterns?
• What in the world are we researching?
• Who else is researching this?
• How will we conduct the research?
• When and where will we report our results?
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
Outline of Presentation
• Why should we study mowing patterns?
• What in the world are we researching?
• Who else is researching this?
• How will we conduct the research?
• When and where will we report our results?
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
Why should we study mowing?Mowing is important because:
• Mowing is a common activity on farms andlarge parcels of land
• Mowing has costs that need to be minimized(time, labor, equipment, etc.)
• Mowing represents other activities on farms like
• Planting• Fertilizing• Harvesting
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
Why should we study mowing?Mowing is important because:
• Mowing is a common activity on farms andlarge parcels of land
• Mowing has costs that need to be minimized(time, labor, equipment, etc.)
• Mowing represents other activities on farms like
• Planting• Fertilizing• Harvesting
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
Why should we study mowing?Mowing is important because:
• Mowing is a common activity on farms andlarge parcels of land
• Mowing has costs that need to be minimized(time, labor, equipment, etc.)
• Mowing represents other activities on farms like
• Planting• Fertilizing• Harvesting
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
Why should we study mowing?Mowing is important because:
• Mowing is a common activity on farms andlarge parcels of land
• Mowing has costs that need to be minimized(time, labor, equipment, etc.)
• Mowing represents other activities on farms like
• Planting• Fertilizing• Harvesting
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
Why should we study mowing?Mowing is important because:
• Mowing is a common activity on farms andlarge parcels of land
• Mowing has costs that need to be minimized(time, labor, equipment, etc.)
• Mowing represents other activities on farms like
• Planting• Fertilizing• Harvesting
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
Why else should we study mowing?Mowing represents a common problem—an areaneeds to be covered or swept while optimizing somevariable. Other applications are:
• Computer-assisted search and rescue operations
• CNC machines used to fabricate custom parts
• Coating a product with paint
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
What mowing pattern are we analyzing?
• Comparing square or rectilinear mowingpatterns with spiral patterns
• Looking at an inside-out spiral. Start at centerand work our way out
• Which method is optimal in terms of money ortime?
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
What mowing pattern are we analyzing?• Comparing square or rectilinear mowing
patterns with spiral patterns
• Looking at an inside-out spiral. Start at centerand work our way out
• Which method is optimal in terms of money ortime?
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
What mowing pattern are we analyzing?• Comparing square or rectilinear mowing
patterns with spiral patterns• Looking at an inside-out spiral. Start at center
and work our way out
• Which method is optimal in terms of money ortime?
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
What mowing pattern are we analyzing?• Comparing square or rectilinear mowing
patterns with spiral patterns• Looking at an inside-out spiral. Start at center
and work our way out
• Which method is optimal in terms of money ortime?
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
Previous Research
• Previous work at Truman State University
• 2005 - Gordon laid foundations for this summer’swork
• Identified basic questions and goals• Dr. Beck’s Spring 2006 CS 370 class• Provided code to model mowing process
• Classic observations study of mowing efficiency
• 1987 - Pandey and Devani detail efficiencies oftwo- and four-sided mowing patterns.
• Found that use of both methods was most efficient• Introduced idea that turns were wasted time
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
Previous Research• Previous work at Truman State University
• 2005 - Gordon laid foundations for this summer’swork
• Identified basic questions and goals• Dr. Beck’s Spring 2006 CS 370 class• Provided code to model mowing process
• Classic observations study of mowing efficiency
• 1987 - Pandey and Devani detail efficiencies oftwo- and four-sided mowing patterns.
• Found that use of both methods was most efficient• Introduced idea that turns were wasted time
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
Previous Research• Previous work at Truman State University
• 2005 - Gordon laid foundations for this summer’swork
• Identified basic questions and goals• Dr. Beck’s Spring 2006 CS 370 class• Provided code to model mowing process
• Classic observations study of mowing efficiency
• 1987 - Pandey and Devani detail efficiencies oftwo- and four-sided mowing patterns.
• Found that use of both methods was most efficient• Introduced idea that turns were wasted time
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
Previous Research• Previous work at Truman State University
• 2005 - Gordon laid foundations for this summer’swork
• Identified basic questions and goals
• Dr. Beck’s Spring 2006 CS 370 class• Provided code to model mowing process
• Classic observations study of mowing efficiency
• 1987 - Pandey and Devani detail efficiencies oftwo- and four-sided mowing patterns.
• Found that use of both methods was most efficient• Introduced idea that turns were wasted time
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
Previous Research• Previous work at Truman State University
• 2005 - Gordon laid foundations for this summer’swork
• Identified basic questions and goals• Dr. Beck’s Spring 2006 CS 370 class
• Provided code to model mowing process
• Classic observations study of mowing efficiency
• 1987 - Pandey and Devani detail efficiencies oftwo- and four-sided mowing patterns.
• Found that use of both methods was most efficient• Introduced idea that turns were wasted time
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
Previous Research• Previous work at Truman State University
• 2005 - Gordon laid foundations for this summer’swork
• Identified basic questions and goals• Dr. Beck’s Spring 2006 CS 370 class• Provided code to model mowing process
• Classic observations study of mowing efficiency
• 1987 - Pandey and Devani detail efficiencies oftwo- and four-sided mowing patterns.
• Found that use of both methods was most efficient• Introduced idea that turns were wasted time
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
Previous Research• Previous work at Truman State University
• 2005 - Gordon laid foundations for this summer’swork
• Identified basic questions and goals• Dr. Beck’s Spring 2006 CS 370 class• Provided code to model mowing process
• Classic observations study of mowing efficiency
• 1987 - Pandey and Devani detail efficiencies oftwo- and four-sided mowing patterns.
• Found that use of both methods was most efficient• Introduced idea that turns were wasted time
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
Previous Research• Previous work at Truman State University
• 2005 - Gordon laid foundations for this summer’swork
• Identified basic questions and goals• Dr. Beck’s Spring 2006 CS 370 class• Provided code to model mowing process
• Classic observations study of mowing efficiency• 1987 - Pandey and Devani detail efficiencies of
two- and four-sided mowing patterns.
• Found that use of both methods was most efficient• Introduced idea that turns were wasted time
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
Previous Research• Previous work at Truman State University
• 2005 - Gordon laid foundations for this summer’swork
• Identified basic questions and goals• Dr. Beck’s Spring 2006 CS 370 class• Provided code to model mowing process
• Classic observations study of mowing efficiency• 1987 - Pandey and Devani detail efficiencies of
two- and four-sided mowing patterns.• Found that use of both methods was most efficient
• Introduced idea that turns were wasted time
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
Previous Research• Previous work at Truman State University
• 2005 - Gordon laid foundations for this summer’swork
• Identified basic questions and goals• Dr. Beck’s Spring 2006 CS 370 class• Provided code to model mowing process
• Classic observations study of mowing efficiency• 1987 - Pandey and Devani detail efficiencies of
two- and four-sided mowing patterns.• Found that use of both methods was most efficient• Introduced idea that turns were wasted time
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
Previous Research
• Newer theoretical and simulation studies
• 2000 - Huang suggests breaking fields into tosmaller units to minimize number of turns
• 2000 - Arkin, et al. model field sweepingmathematically and provide approximationalgorithms
• Study of wider applications, particularly impacton wildlife
• 1998 - Tyler, et al. find link between mowingpatterns and wildlife survival rate of Crex crexchicks
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
Previous Research• Newer theoretical and simulation studies
• 2000 - Huang suggests breaking fields into tosmaller units to minimize number of turns
• 2000 - Arkin, et al. model field sweepingmathematically and provide approximationalgorithms
• Study of wider applications, particularly impacton wildlife
• 1998 - Tyler, et al. find link between mowingpatterns and wildlife survival rate of Crex crexchicks
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
Previous Research• Newer theoretical and simulation studies
• 2000 - Huang suggests breaking fields into tosmaller units to minimize number of turns
• 2000 - Arkin, et al. model field sweepingmathematically and provide approximationalgorithms
• Study of wider applications, particularly impacton wildlife
• 1998 - Tyler, et al. find link between mowingpatterns and wildlife survival rate of Crex crexchicks
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
Previous Research• Newer theoretical and simulation studies
• 2000 - Huang suggests breaking fields into tosmaller units to minimize number of turns
• 2000 - Arkin, et al. model field sweepingmathematically and provide approximationalgorithms
• Study of wider applications, particularly impacton wildlife
• 1998 - Tyler, et al. find link between mowingpatterns and wildlife survival rate of Crex crexchicks
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
Previous Research• Newer theoretical and simulation studies
• 2000 - Huang suggests breaking fields into tosmaller units to minimize number of turns
• 2000 - Arkin, et al. model field sweepingmathematically and provide approximationalgorithms
• Study of wider applications, particularly impacton wildlife
• 1998 - Tyler, et al. find link between mowingpatterns and wildlife survival rate of Crex crexchicks
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
Previous Research• Newer theoretical and simulation studies
• 2000 - Huang suggests breaking fields into tosmaller units to minimize number of turns
• 2000 - Arkin, et al. model field sweepingmathematically and provide approximationalgorithms
• Study of wider applications, particularly impacton wildlife
• 1998 - Tyler, et al. find link between mowingpatterns and wildlife survival rate of Crex crexchicks
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
How will we conduct the research?Three step process
• Make physical observations about mowingequipment and patterns
• Equipment speed, turning radius, mowing width• Time needed to make turns, adjustments
• Mathematically model the process of mowing afield. Find equations to:
• Plot the path of the mowing equipment• Compute time needed to complete work• Determine area covered
• Build a graphical computer simulation of themowing process. To include:
• A representation of field being mowed• Optimized path given field shape
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
How will we conduct the research?Three step process
• Make physical observations about mowingequipment and patterns
• Equipment speed, turning radius, mowing width• Time needed to make turns, adjustments
• Mathematically model the process of mowing afield. Find equations to:
• Plot the path of the mowing equipment• Compute time needed to complete work• Determine area covered
• Build a graphical computer simulation of themowing process. To include:
• A representation of field being mowed• Optimized path given field shape
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
How will we conduct the research?Three step process
• Make physical observations about mowingequipment and patterns
• Equipment speed, turning radius, mowing width
• Time needed to make turns, adjustments
• Mathematically model the process of mowing afield. Find equations to:
• Plot the path of the mowing equipment• Compute time needed to complete work• Determine area covered
• Build a graphical computer simulation of themowing process. To include:
• A representation of field being mowed• Optimized path given field shape
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
How will we conduct the research?Three step process
• Make physical observations about mowingequipment and patterns
• Equipment speed, turning radius, mowing width• Time needed to make turns, adjustments
• Mathematically model the process of mowing afield. Find equations to:
• Plot the path of the mowing equipment• Compute time needed to complete work• Determine area covered
• Build a graphical computer simulation of themowing process. To include:
• A representation of field being mowed• Optimized path given field shape
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
How will we conduct the research?Three step process
• Make physical observations about mowingequipment and patterns
• Equipment speed, turning radius, mowing width• Time needed to make turns, adjustments
• Mathematically model the process of mowing afield. Find equations to:
• Plot the path of the mowing equipment• Compute time needed to complete work• Determine area covered
• Build a graphical computer simulation of themowing process. To include:
• A representation of field being mowed• Optimized path given field shape
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
How will we conduct the research?Three step process
• Make physical observations about mowingequipment and patterns
• Equipment speed, turning radius, mowing width• Time needed to make turns, adjustments
• Mathematically model the process of mowing afield. Find equations to:
• Plot the path of the mowing equipment
• Compute time needed to complete work• Determine area covered
• Build a graphical computer simulation of themowing process. To include:
• A representation of field being mowed• Optimized path given field shape
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
How will we conduct the research?Three step process
• Make physical observations about mowingequipment and patterns
• Equipment speed, turning radius, mowing width• Time needed to make turns, adjustments
• Mathematically model the process of mowing afield. Find equations to:
• Plot the path of the mowing equipment• Compute time needed to complete work
• Determine area covered
• Build a graphical computer simulation of themowing process. To include:
• A representation of field being mowed• Optimized path given field shape
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
How will we conduct the research?Three step process
• Make physical observations about mowingequipment and patterns
• Equipment speed, turning radius, mowing width• Time needed to make turns, adjustments
• Mathematically model the process of mowing afield. Find equations to:
• Plot the path of the mowing equipment• Compute time needed to complete work• Determine area covered
• Build a graphical computer simulation of themowing process. To include:
• A representation of field being mowed• Optimized path given field shape
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
How will we conduct the research?Three step process
• Make physical observations about mowingequipment and patterns
• Equipment speed, turning radius, mowing width• Time needed to make turns, adjustments
• Mathematically model the process of mowing afield. Find equations to:
• Plot the path of the mowing equipment• Compute time needed to complete work• Determine area covered
• Build a graphical computer simulation of themowing process. To include:
• A representation of field being mowed• Optimized path given field shape
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
How will we conduct the research?Three step process
• Make physical observations about mowingequipment and patterns
• Equipment speed, turning radius, mowing width• Time needed to make turns, adjustments
• Mathematically model the process of mowing afield. Find equations to:
• Plot the path of the mowing equipment• Compute time needed to complete work• Determine area covered
• Build a graphical computer simulation of themowing process. To include:
• A representation of field being mowed
• Optimized path given field shape
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
How will we conduct the research?Three step process
• Make physical observations about mowingequipment and patterns
• Equipment speed, turning radius, mowing width• Time needed to make turns, adjustments
• Mathematically model the process of mowing afield. Find equations to:
• Plot the path of the mowing equipment• Compute time needed to complete work• Determine area covered
• Build a graphical computer simulation of themowing process. To include:
• A representation of field being mowed• Optimized path given field shape
Introduction Existing Research Methodologies Dissemination
When and where will we share our results?Our results will be presented at:
• The 2006 STEP Summer UndergraduateResearch Symposium, August 2-3, 2006
• The 20th Annual Truman State UniversityStudent Research Conference, April 2007
• This research may also be presented atadditional research conferences and submittedfor publication as opportunities allow
• This research will also provide a foundation foradditional research into efficient fieldoperations at Truman State University