AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS IN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH UNIT: Agricultural Tractor R6 equipped with electronic systems & ISOBus • Three-point hitch dynamometer to measure draft requirement of mounted implements • Soil tillage laboratory equipment (Soil bin and carriage unit for tines and blades • Tractive performance of a model crawler tractor) • Soil moisture sensors • Remote telemetric units for environmental monitoring (ADCON TELEMETRY) • Data acquisition systems, Temperature & relative humidity sensors • Solar radiation sensors • Camera • Handled GPS Receiver • Load cells • Hydraulic Systems components • Electronic Lab Equipment (Multimeter, Oscilloscope, Temperature controlled soldering station, etc.)
DEVELOPMENT & DESIGN OF AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY RESEARCH UNIT: Center for Design & Computation equipped with 3 PCs and 3 laptops • Plotter (max A0) • Software packages AUTOCAD, INVERTOR, ANSYS, FORM Z, & small Machine Shop.
VIBRATION ANALYSIS & NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING OF MACHINES RESEARCH UNIT: One axis & Three axis Accelerometers • Vibration Calibrator • Tachometer probe • PULSE analyzer platform (hardware & software) (Bruel & Kjaer) • Hand-held Vibration Analyzer (VibroTest 60/ Bruel & Kjaer) • Scanning Laser Vibrometer (Polytec/PSV-400) • MATLAB R2008a • Mobile filtration unit with fluid control for permanent monitoring of the oil purity level (HYDAC OF5 with FCU)
SOLIDS & LIQUIDS BIOFUEL TECHNOLOGIES RESERCH UNIT: Bomb Calorimeter (C5000/IKA WERKE) • Automated Dilute Solution Viscometer (ViscoSystems AVS 370/Schott Instruments) • Flash Point Tester (FG-K16909-KW) • Coulometric Karl Fischer titrator (TitroLine KF/SI Analytics) • Drying-sterilize oven (Slecta) • Muffle furnace for ashing (1100⁰C/8L) • Biomass stalk cutter • Oilseed screw press (FARMET) • Transesterification reactor • Internal Combustion Engines • Emission Analyzer (BEA350/Bosh) suitable for emission testing on petrol and diesel engines • Opacimeter • Electrical Dynamometer (FROMENT XT200) • Hydraulic Dynamometer • Diesel fuel pump test bench (Bosch)
HEALTH & SAFETY AT WORK IN AGRICULTURE RESERCH UNIT: Tractor stability test bench, Human Vibration Analyzer Type 4447(Bruel & Kjaer) • Sound Level Meter Type 2270 (Bruel & Kjaer) • Aerotrak handled particle counter 9306 (TSI) • Hazardous gas detector (GFG Microtector II G460 SET (CH4, O2, CO2, H2S)) • Heat stress monitor (RSS-214)
Since 2006 EMEST LAB operates at the Department of Biosystems Engineering at the Technological Educational Institute of Thessaly (Greece). The laboratory conducts applied research in the area of Agricultural Engineering Technology. With excellent infrastructure and solid organization, it undertakes the implementation of research projects and the development of innovative products and applications independently or in cooperation with other Research Centers and Universities. EMEST LAB consists of a group of multidisciplinary specialists with long-time research and professional expertise. The research activities of the laboratory cover the following key areas: (a) Sensors, Automation & Robotics in Agriculture, (b) Development and Design of Agricultural Machinery, (c) Vibration Analysis & Non-destructive testing of rotating machines, (d) Biofuel Technologies & Engines, and (e) Health & Safety at Work in Agriculture.
Larissa, Greece