Abstract Sugarcane harvesting can be especially difficult for small and marginal farmers who lack access to affordable mechanization and face growing labor shortages. Manual cutting with sickles is slow and physically stressful, while large mechanized harvesters remain too costly and impractical for small farm plots. The main aim of this project was to design and fabricate a low-cost, user-friendly sugarcane harvester specifically for small-scale use. The solution features a manual push-frame with four wheels, integrated with a motor-driven rotary cutting blade and easy blade height adjustment to suit different crops and field conditions. All components were selected for local availability and easy maintenance, ensuring that the system remains accessible and practical in rural areas. The methods for developing the harvester involved conceptual modeling, mechanical design and step-wise fabrication using mild steel for strength and local adaptability. Careful assembly was followed by fie...
Introduction Composite 3D printing is rapidly emerging as an advanced manufacturing method for producing lightweight, high-strength, and geometrically complex components. However, achieving consistent quality in composite additive manufacturing remains challenging due to variations in fibre distribution, temperature, bonding, porosity, and deposition conditions. Intelligent Composite 3D Printing addresses these challenges by integrating Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and In-Situ Monitoring directly into the printing process. This combination enables the manufacturing system to monitor component quality in real time, detect defects, and automatically adjust printing parameters. What is Intelligent Composite 3D Printing? Intelligent composite 3D printing is an advanced additive manufacturing approach in which composite materials are printed using a digitally controlled process supported by sensors and AI-based decision systems. Composite feedstocks may include: Carbon-...