Week 16

mechanical design

This week, we designed the machine. We built the mechanical parts of the machine and operated manually. We worked collaboratively in whole process but here I write my main individual contribution.

Assignment

group project: Design a machine (mechanism + actuation + automation), including the end effector, build the passive parts and operate it manually.

Learning outcomes:

Work and communicate effectively in a team and independently
Design, plan and build a system
Analyse and solve technical problems
Recognise opportunities for improvements in the design

Have you:

Explained your individual contribution to this project on your own website

On the group page (linked on your Lab page), has your group:

Shown how your team planned and executed the project
Described problems and how the team solved them
Listed future development opportunities for this project
Included your design files, 1 min video (1920x1080 HTML5 MP4) + slide (1920x1080 PNG)

Making the auto peeler

I worked with Marta Cortes Orduna, Peetu Virkkala, Behnaz Norouzi and Heidi Hartikainen. For all the process of machine designing and building, see our group website.

Project overview

Idea came from the suggestion of building a mini lathe from one of the FabLab staff. We thought it is too complicated to position the bit according to 3D design. So we simplified the mechanics using the same principle of movement. The machine we make is auto peeler which removes skin of fruits or vegetables. For instance an apple will be attached to the rotating pole and moves one direction. When the blade touches the apple the skin will be removed.

screenshot

Own contribution

3D designing of the joint part

I designed the joint part to connect the stepper motor and the rotating pole together. First we measured the diameter of the axle of the stepper motor and the pole using the calliper.

I used Fusion 360 for designing. I drew hexagon in sketch mode. Hexagon will be easier to grab and attach the axles. Following the advice of the FabLab staff, I drew a hole which diameter is 0.1mm smaller than the axle of stepper motor. I stopped the sketch and moved to model mode. I extruded the hexagon and made the hole up to the half of the height. I selected the other surface which does not have hole and drew another hole for the rotating pole.

Working on the blade

We decided to use thin metal plate as a blade. I watched a couple of videos of the peeler to find out the good angle toward the object. We tested and decided to attached the blade on the piece of MDF which has some flexibility so that the blade will remove the skin when it touches the surface of the apple.

screenshot
We calculated the distance and the height of the blade. I drew the simple holder in Inkscape to keep the blade on the certain position. We cut the holder with laser cutter. It worked okay.

3D designing of the peeler

Bas suggested to design a 3D model of the machine to see the whole image. I used Fusion 360 to design the model. Since we decided to recycle materials which were used in previous year, we already had most of the parts ready. I measured the parts and made the 3D model.

Here is the video of this week's outcome.

Reflection

In this week, we worked together on designing a machine. It was good experience to collaborate to work on a project. We had very good discussion during brainstorming and while figuring out mechanics and how each part functions. I got new insight and ideas from group members. As my own contribution, my main role was 3D modeling and working on the blade and blade holder. The position of the blade may be modified after we will make the motor work in next week.

Files

The following zip files contain files for 3D model of the machine, 3D model of the joint part and 2D model of the blade holder.