Summary

Design Scenario:

<aside> 📝 In project three, our team was tasked with designing a system for sorting and recycling containers of varying materials. Our system had to incorporate the use of a Q-Arm, Q-Bot, and a pre-designed hopper. There were two sub-teams for this project: the computing sub-team and the modelling sub-team. The computing sub-team was responsible for writing the code to operate both the Q-Arm and the Q-Bot. The modelling team, which I was a part of, was responsible for designing a mechanism that would assist in depositing a container. Our mechanism had to either use a linear actuator, or a rotary actuator.

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Project Tasks:

Problem framing and initial conceptualization.
Preliminary mechanism sketches.
Refining mechanism designs.
Fabricating mechanism designs.
Mechanism assembly.
Present the program to an instructional assistant intern during a project interview.
Summarize the project in a final design report.
Write a research summary on ethical practices regarding our scaled up design.

Problem Framing and Initial Conceptualization

For this objective we created a refined problem statement and initial concept sketches of our mechanism. One sketch utilizing a linear actuator, and the other utilizing a rotary actuator.

Problem Statement: Design a system for sorting and recycling containers, including a mechanism to drop off the items and a program to transfer the items, to reduce garbage in landfills.

Concept Sketch Using Linear Actuator

Concept Sketch Using Rotary Actuator

Preliminary Mechanism Sketches

For this objective we used a weighted decision matrix to determine which concept we will pursue. We decided to pursue the linear actuator design based on its superior performance in the decision matrix. After, we created a refined sketch of the concept we will be fabricating.

Weighted Decision Matrix

Mechanism Sketch in the Transfer Position

Mechanism Sketch in the Deposit Position

Refining Mechanism Designs

For this objective we modelled the parts of our mechanism on Autodesk Inventor. We then combined all our parts by constraining it into one assembly. Furthermore, we created engineering drawings for each part we designed.

https://youtu.be/Fq4-FqkI4ds

CAD Models of Our Parts

Engineering Drawings of Our Parts

Fabricating Mechanism Designs

For this objective, we printed out each part of our mechanism using a 3D printer. We also obtained all the screws and fasteners required to assemble the parts together.

3D Printed Parts

Mechanism Assembly

For this objective we assembled our final mechanism using our 3D printed parts, fasteners, and the hopper.

Mechanism in the Physical Environment

Summary

Skills