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Week Fifteen : Mechanical Design



Assignment


In this week, we had to

Design a machine that includes mechanism, actuation & automation
Build the mechanical parts and operate it manually
Document the group project and your individual contribution



Braille is a system of raised dots that can be read with the fingers by people who are blind or who have low vision. Teachers, parents, and others who are not visually impaired ordinarily read braille with their eyes. Braille is not a language. Rather, it is a code by which many languages—such as English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and dozens of others—may be written and read. Braille is used by thousands of people all over the world in their native languages, and provides a means of literacy for all


Alphabets corresponding to the Brailles code is shown below


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Standard Spacing and Dimensions of Brailles code is given below


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Components used for Brailles Printer


I did helped in preparing Inventory and to list out the components needed for this project

SOLENOID
NEMA STEPPER MOTORS
ROD with rubber support to roll the paper
THERMOCOL PIECE
PVC FOAM BOARD
LINEAR BEARING
DRIVER PULLEY
DRIVEN PULLEY
PLYWOOD
EPS - EXPANDED POLYSTRENE
SMOOTH RODS
LIMIT SWITCH
SCREWS

Machines used for Brailles Printer


ULTIMAKER - 3D PRINTER
DIMENSION - 3D PRINTER
TROTEC - LASER
SHOPBOT
BAND SAW

I played a major role in using these machines as our group is preparing designs, i got involved in using testing the design works 3D printing, laser cutting, shopbot machining and band saw.


Tools used for Brailles Printer


VERNIER CALIPER
HAND DRILL
DUAL POWER SUPPLY
CUTTER BLADE
SCALE

For testing paper quality to get the impression right first we tested BUTTER PAPER

I also done all the assembly works, cutting the proper dimension of EPS - EXPANDED POLYSTRENE to fit in the gap betwwen BED

For making an impression on paper we needed a push-pull solenoid, which we bought online

For understanding the working of a printer, we dismounted a normal printer and took its rod with rubber so it can be re-used in our printer

We have made many design ideas how the whole assemby should be,and each of us had different ideas and after a great session with our group we finalised a design


Sketch

Arduino Mega

The Arduino MEGA ADK is a microcontroller board based on the ATmega2560. It has a USB host interface to connect with computers.It has 54 digital input/output pins (of which 15 can be used as PWM outputs), 16 analog inputs, 4 UARTs (hardware serial ports), a 16 MHz crystal oscillator, a USB connection, a power jack, an ICSP header, and a reset button

Ramps14

Ramps is short for reprap Arduino mega pololu shield, it is mainly designed for the purpose of using pololu stepper driven board (similar to 4988 driven board). Ramps can only work when connected to its mother board Mega 2560 and 4988/DRV8825


Sketch

Designs

I was assigned with making a braille slate having holes at the standard distance of the braille script. This was done to facilitate the smooth piercing of the holes and to act as a support for the paper around the holes to avoid damaging the paper during the piercing of holes

I have used Fusion360 to design the pad so that the impression would clearly made with the standard distances of the braille script



Sketch


Sketch

I have laser cut the design file to know how it look like


Sketch

I have also 3D printed a design which I downloaded from this link

I have been using the mahines, when others give me the design I have operated the machines and checked the design and tested


Sketch

I have also laser cut a side design in both cardboard and acrylic which was just for holding the rods to test the movement of head


Sketch

Sketch

I Joined with Akila to give feedback from the existing design and also gave the input measurements for the design

Me Helping in assembly - Testing the movement of head


Sketch

Video of Solenoid Testing


I checked the availability of solenoid at the local markets

I have joined with Abhilash in improving the solenoid by testing it with varying current and voltage




I was involved in small hardware purchase


Sketch

I have procured a damaged printer along with ABY and ABHILASH and opened up to get the roller with rubber bushes for the paper feed mechanisms



How it look like


Sketch

For more Details Visit the below link

ClickHere