A Review of Local Manufacturing of Borehole Windmill Gear Trains Using Reverse Engineering and Integrated Braking Systems

• Jafaru A. MOHAMMED

  Author

• Thomas N. GUMA

  Author

• Malachy SUMAILA

  Author

• Mahdi MAKWAYO

  Author

Many local windmill water pumping systems can suffer maintenance and repairs due to a lack of readily available indigenous spare parts and a dearth of appropriate repair tools and equipment, thereby degrading system performance, efficiency   and longevity and sustainability. This suggests the development of localizable solutions. This review aims to evaluate the application of reverse engineering technology in facilitating the manufacturing of wind-mill gear trains designed for local environmental conditions and to identify gaps in knowledge in the literature in the application of reverse engineering for local manufacturing of windmill gear trains. A systematic literature review was conducted, which encompassed several related fields such as reverse engineering, wind energy systems, windmill gearbox systems, gear mechanisms, braking systems, modern manufacturing techniques, and computer-based tools such as CAM, CAD, CAE, CAM and simulation software. These individual areas are combined to offer a complete view of their use in the development of wind mill gear trains. This study concludes that the application of modern manufacturing techniques with the use of reverse engineering concepts can offer an efficient method of replica and further improve the windmill gear mechanisms for remote location use. Furthermore, the literature has identified the gaps and potential of reverse applications for application with specific local conditions. The systematic review and analysis contribute by proposing an application strategy of reverse engineering for local manufacturing of wind-mill gear pumping or water pumping applications, which can significantly improve their performance, reliability and longevity, and provide locally viable solutions. Hence a method for the indigenous production of windmill gear trains for water pumping systems, to improve performance, reliability and maintainability of windmill systems is proposed, for more efficient and sustainable utilization. It is also hoped to increase the system life by using cost-effective and sustainable local solutions, which will improve rural water supply development.

• FJET_21_75_75

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