Different models of rainfall simulators have been developed over time, and the use of electronics has allowed achieving higher levels of production and control. On this subject, the aim is to present the development of a technical system for automated generation of simulated rain. The study was divided into two stages. In the first stage, the development of the automated system for generating simulated rain was carried out. In the second stage, tests were conducted to verify the functioning of the proposed system. The result are: (i) concept of the system developed is compound by a sensor of flow rate, pressure and temperature, digital display, interface cable of computer and four buttons that allows the setup of the simulated rain (the plot of land, time and volume of water to produce the simulated rain). It can be programmed up to 240 parcel, maximum time each experiment of 240 minutes and the volume of rain according to the pump used. (ii) to check the functioning of the electronic system, a test in the laboratory was done. During the automated operation, the system measured pressure (kPa), water flow (L min -1 ), temperature (ºC), and time (minute). The operation was evaluated and it was concluded that it enable the automated generation of simulated rain and that under the experimental conditions studied (without the influence of wind, natural rain or sun), the 17 repetitions totaled 510 minutes of experiments, in which time the prototype showed neither failures in programming or measurement errors of the sensors.Keywords: automation, electronics, simulated rainfall, hydrology, water and soil. RESUMODiferentes modelos de simuladores de chuva foram desenvolvidos ao longo do tempo, e a utilização de sistemas eletrônicos permitiu alcançar maiores níveis de produção e controle.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ RESUMOEste artigo tem como objetivo demonstrar um método de identificação e análise de anterioridade de patentes para avaliação comparativa de tecnologias baseadas em requisitos de clientes, exemplificando o caso de pulverizadores costais utilizados na aplicação de agrotóxicos para a cultura do tabaco. A primeira fase do método compreendeu a identificação das patentes por meio de um processo de seis etapas executadas na Plataforma Orbit Intelligence. A segunda fase do método abrangeu a análise dos registros das patentes por meio de um processo de quatro etapas. Os resultados obtidos na primeira fase foram classificados em três grupos de pulverizadores, totalizando 59 registros de patentes: tipo costal, 27 registros; tipo carro de mão, 13 registros; e tipo montados em um trator e/ou autopropelido, 19 registros. Na segunda fase da análise da revisão bibliográfica e dos registros de patentes foram definidos e valorados, por meio Diagrama de Mudge, cinco requisitos de clientes principais: ser de fácil operação; permitir operação em plano inclinado; permitir operação ergonômica; permitir operação segura; possuir baixo número de componentes. Esses requisitos foram utilizados na avaliação das tecnologias patenteadas sob a abordagem SMART da matriz multicritério, resultando na indicação da tecnologia que melhor atende ao conjunto dos requisitos considerados para o pulverizador costal. Conclui-se que o método de identificação e análise de anterioridade de patentes apresentado, exemplificado por meio de um estudo de caso de pulverizadores costais, evidenciou as tecnologias que melhor atendem aos requisitos de clientes, permitindo revelar o estado da arte dos registros de patentes nas bases mundiais, principal objetivo da busca de anterioridade de patentes.

Since the 1930s several conceptions of rainfall simulators were developed to perform runoff experiments, soil water infiltration, water erosion, persistence of phytosanitary products, etc. The uniformity of the rainfall generated is a parameter used to validate a rainfall simulator conception design. On this subject, this work aimed at identifying the wetted area uniformity of the rainfall generated by different sprinkler nozzles. The study was divided in two stages: experimental data collection; and, calculation of wetted area uniformity. In the first stage it was used an experimental bench to generate rainfall. The experiment was carried out under completely randomized, factorial 3 x 3 x 3 experimental design, with 27 treatments and six replications (162 experimental units). The treatments were a combination of three sprinkler nozzles (P1, P2 and P3), three sprinkler heights from the ground (1.1 m, 2.1 m and 3.1 m), and three water pressures (50 kPa, 100 kPa and 150 kPa). A mesh of 289 plastic collectors was used for stored the water volume of the rainfall generated from the experimental units. In the second stage, it was calculated the water distribution uniformity using the Christiansen Uniformity Coefficient (CUC) for the areas of 2.56 m², 1.44 m², 0.64 m² and 0.16 m². As a result, the higher the water pressure and sprinkler nozzle height and smaller the land plot, the greater the tendency to get CUC values classified as good or excellent. The sprinkler nozzle P1 showed the best results, so the conclusion is the wetted area uniformity is an important parameter to consider in the selection of sprinkler nozzles in the rainfall simulators design.

Due to technological advances, trade politicies and society's consumption patterns, competitiveness among companies has increased considerably, requiring practices that provide a constant improvement in production indicators and product quality. In this context, the use of Toyota Production System tools, also known as Lean Manufacturing, have a fundamental role in the elimination of waste and continuous improvement of industrial production levels. Thus, this work aims to implement a standardized work routine among employees working in a market of parts in an Agricultural Machinery industry, which lacks production methods. To represent this situation, real data were used, which correspond to the needs of the assembly line, and which served as the basis for the analysis and implementation of a new work routine. The results obtained enabled the creation of a standardized work routine, which was obtained by balancing activities between operators and eliminating activities that did not add value to the product.

The kinetic energy of simulated rainfall is one of the parameters used to study the effect produced on the soil or a given crop. About this theme, we aim to determine the applicability of three commercial sprinkler heads for use in rainfall simulators by verifying the kinetic energy of the generated rainfall. Using an experimental workbench, the sprinkler heads were positioned at heights of 1.1, 2.1, and 3.1 m under pressures of 50, 100, and 150 kPa, which, when combined, generated 27 treatments with six repetitions. Using a disdrometer, the values for intensity (mm h-1) and kinetic energy (J.m-2.h-1) were collected. Three equations from the literature were employed to calculate the kinetic energy from the precipitation intensity provided by the disdrometer, allowing their comparison with the kinetic energy values measured by the disdrometer. The kinetic energy results measured by the disdrometer differed from the values calculated using the equations. The sprinkler heads P1, P2, and P3 did not generate rain droplets with kinetic energy similar to that of natural rainfall for the same intensity, thus not being qualified for use in rainfall simulators.

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A união de materiais por meio do processo de soldagem GMAW é amplamente utilizada na indústria de máquinas agrícolas devido às suas características, que permitem bom nível de produtividade e de desempenho do processo. Porém, sua utilização resulta na geração de poluentes nocivos à saúde humana, também conhecidos como fumos metálicos ou gases tóxicos. A inalação dessas partículas pode causar problemas de saúde, como a diminuição das funções pulmonares, além de contribuir para o surgimento de diversas doenças. Desta forma, é necessário utilizar um sistema de captação e transporte dessas partículas para evitar o contato direto entre os gases tóxicos e os operadores envolvidos no processo. Neste contexto, este trabalho tem como objetivo determinar uma metodologia que permita realizar o dimensionamento de um sistema de captação e movimentação dessas partículas, desde a escolha do captor até a definição do tipo de ventilador a ser utilizado, assim como suas respectivas características. De acordo com o memorial de cálculo abordado neste trabalho, foi possível determinar o ventilador ideal para esta situação, levando em consideração as singularidades utilizadas nos dutos, o tipo de contaminante e a perda de carga resultante da coleta e transporte dos gases tóxicos originados pelo processo de soldagem.

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