A METHODOLOGY FOR THE DESIGN OF

MECHATRONIC PRODUCTS APPLIED TO THE

DEVELOPMENT OF AN INSTRUMENT FOR
MEASUREMENT OF SOIL COMPACTION.
Mauricio Merino Prez
Universidade de Braslia.
merinoperez.mauricio@gmail.com

Andra Cristina dos Santos

Universidade de Braslia
andreasantos@unb.br

Checking the compression state is a fundamental part in the development and growth of
productivity in the planting. The most practical method to achieve the goal, is the
determination of resistance to penetration by means of using an impact penetrometer. The
impact penetrometer is a measuring instrument that is dynamic operating principle of
penetrating a rod through a strength that comes from the impact of a weight that makes up
the equipment and falls from a fixed height. The measure held becomes indirectly, because
the data obtained in the measurement are taken to an equation, in order to determine the
degree of compression, this can cause uncertainty, inaccuracy in the data obtained.
The most significant advances are bibliographic referents are contribution to future
research, and which highlight the developments made do not reach full form the needs
present in the penetrometer. Despite the great diversity of goals and methodologies
employed, a necessity and common motivation in these studies, it is the determination of
the degree of compaction, and help from these information to decision-making. Thus, the
measurement of soil compaction becomes a long process.
The final estimate of compactness means predicting the final State of the soil, from initial
conditions which provides the soil. The final soil condition reflects the State of degradation
and the compression level. In this way, we can affirm that we must develop a compression
measuring instrument based on the principle of penetrometer, conducting a series of
activities that allow the generation of the technical specifications of a Mechatronic Product.
The activities necessary to give rise to the specifications of the project are: to identify
customer needs, analyse the needs relating to the new product; identification of product
quality metrics; analyze manufacture and competing products; define product
specifications. The QFD "House of quality" is suggested to assist in this last activity.
In this context, it is concluded that there are criteria and to be adopted in decision making.
But the dependence of the success of the project is reflected in the technical specifications.
With this article we seek to fill gaps of knowledge that only experience at the time of
developing a mechatronic product design. The article aims at clarifying and detailing the
specifications of the project that are the source of information that allows you to make a
success in the development of a new instrument for measuring the compression phase of
design.

Key words: soil compaction, Mechatronics product development design, conceptual design,
design specifications, pentrmetro.