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@article{207304,
        author = {Shaikh Kasifsohel Mahebubsab and Sachin Mallikarjun Nagure and Aatmling Narayanpure},
        title = {DESIGN AND FINITE ELEMENT BASED STRUCTURAL OPTIMIZATION OF AN ONION HARVESTER CHASSIS USING SOLIDWORKS CAD–FEA INTEGRATION},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {13},
        number = {3},
        pages = {553-557},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=207304},
        abstract = {The chassis is the primary load-carrying structure of a self-propelled onion harvester and must safely support the engine, gearbox, harvesting mechanism, hydraulic system, operator platform and axle assembly under field operating conditions. This paper presents a CAD–FEA integrated design and structural optimization study of an onion harvester chassis carried out using SOLIDWORKS Weldments and SOLIDWORKS Simulation. A parametric 3D model of the welded tubular chassis was developed and a static structural analysis was performed under a total operating load of approximately 5.0 kN, derived from the dead and live loads of the mounted components and amplified by a dynamic factor of 1.25 to represent field operating conditions. 
Fixed geometry boundary conditions were applied at the front axle and rear wheel mounting faces, and a beam-based mixed mesh was used to capture axial, bending, shear and torsional effects in the tubular members. Seven successive design iterations were analyzed, progressively introducing cross-members, truss reinforcement and improved load paths. The maximum equivalent (von Mises) stress reduced from 193.00 MPa in the initial design to 168.24 MPa in the optimized design, while the maximum resultant deformation reduced from 7.49 mm to 3.63 mm, both remaining within the elastic limit of the IS 2062 structural steel used (yield strength 250 MPa). The results demonstrate that iterative CAD–FEA based optimization is an effective, low-cost approach for validating and improving agricultural machinery chassis structures prior to fabrication.},
        keywords = {Onion Harvester Chassis; Finite Element Analysis; SOLIDWORKS Simulation; Structural Optimization; Von Mises Stress; Factor of Safety},
        month = {August},
        }