Design Challenge

Gary Major

The Cicada WLS machine concept takes its name from the cicada killer wasp – a large, aggressive insect that excavates its own nest. The machine’s power source is a diesel-powered fuel cell (the most widely available fuel, which, because of its low volatility, can be stored without special containment), generating power to drive the linear and rotary actuators that operate the machine’s extendable mono-boom.

As an alternative to the current technology of hydraulic rams, low-maintenance linear/rotary motors can provide accurately measurable extension/articulation for high-precision work, cleanly, quietly and at much lower operating temperatures than in ubiquitous hydraulic mechanisms.

Drive to the wheels is via hub-mounted electric motors, replacing conventional mechanical or hydrostatic drivelines. This method of propulsion is very advantageous as it provides instantaneous torque and energy-saving regenerative braking. Capable of working individually or in unison to replicate differential locks, these drive motors give the vehicle maximum tractive effort in all conditions.

The reclaimed braking energy is stored within onboard capacitors and is used to power the ultrasonic cutting edge of the carbon-composite bucket – which aids tearout, as well as the on-demand LED (maintenance-free) floodlights and rear warning strobes. These capacitors are additionally fed by photovoltaic capture cells built into the cab roof glazing – another free power source.
An onboard ECU constantly monitors the machine’s ‘nervous system’ and automatically derates power if the machine is being operated badly. This intelligent self-preservation capability also acts as a diagnostic tell-tale, continually uploading information back to the service base. During downtime, this system goes into learning mode by downloading new software directly from the factory as part of the service contract.

These near-silent operational/motive systems negate the effect of noise pollution, while the use of low-weight/high-strength composite structures cut down on the parasitic losses associated in lifting dead weight. This in turn reduces the machine’s power consumption and carbon footprint.

BIOGRAPHY

Gary Major is an Industrial Designer with 24 years of professional design experience.

After obtaining a degree in automotive design from Coventry University, he started his career in the design studios of Nederlandse Spoorwegen (Dutch Railways) in Utrecht, NL.

Following a brief period as a self employed designer back in the UK, Gary arrived at JCB as a contracted junior designer in 1988.

Returning to the rail industry for 5 years, he left to take up the senior design role at the newly built JCB Compact Products in 1995, where he worked directly with the founder of the company – Joseph Cyril Bamford.

A year spent working for an Italian design consultancy in 1998 eventually led to a return to JCB’s Staffordshire headquarters, becoming Head of Industrial Design in 2004.

Now working directly with Sir Anthony Bamford, Gary remains a hands-on designer leading JCB’s in-house team and has overseen the introduction of a unique form language to the product line-up which is now filtering down through the product portfolio as part of the normal machine refresh schedule. He was also a team member involved in JCB’s successful Diesel Land Speed record attempt in August 2006.