9. Mechanical Design, Machine Design¶
Assignments
Group Assignment
- design a machine that includes mechanism+actuation+automation
- build the mechanical parts and operate it, manually
- document the group project and your individual contribution
1. Group work¶
Group work is done by me, Antti and Mona. The report is here.
2. Individual assignment¶
Automation machine idea¶
We had a brain storming session to produce an idea for this group work. The first idea is mastered for sausage (makkara in Finnish, very traditional). But it was too simple actuation, then we first agreed that something automation with rotation,,,, then local Finnish Antti’s idea was mayonnaise for Pizza. In this Oulu local, put mayonnaise is common and even unique in Finland. Also the mayonnaise shape is rotation and it’s called “Känkky” (stump, the remains of a tree), okay, very Finnish! :).
Syringe pushing machanics¶
My part was for syringe mechatronics which push mayonnaise for Pizza. The syringe is consisted with,
- Holding a syringe
- Pushing a syringe by stepper motor actuation
Decided the syringe holder is made by 3D printer and NEMA17 stepper motor used for actuation.
3D design and 3D print¶
Here is the components for pushing the syringe.
The first proto for pushing syringe.
3D print of the first proto.
There are several problems,
- The direction is only one way to push.
- Syringe cannot be exchanged unless disassembed everything, cannot put mayonnaise more and more.
- No place to push the sensor which detects the over actuation at down side limit.
Based on these problem, second iteration made below improvements,
The basement which holds NEMA17 stepper motor, syringe cylinder, sliding bars.
This is the bar pushing the syringe. The separation is due to syringe exchange purpose.
The stopper holds syringe both ends to make syringe both directions of pushing up and down.
This is the holder for sensor to detect the limit of moving end.
Final version, two direction of push and pull with syringe stoppers.
Syringe sliding machanics¶
To make the syinge slide, need to set the slide bar and also holds the NEMA17 stepper motor. Holder part is made by 3D print.
And assembled the holder with slide bars like this.
With syringe actuator.
With case.
Reflections¶
This 2 weeks project was really intensive week for creation as a project and many things to do. Especially I could learned 3D design and 3D printer with real practices. Lesson & learnt is, first, 3D print takes time. It’s very basic but need to think carefully for time management. Most small object takes 30min to 1 hour, usually takes a couple of hours and over night. But over night printing is also one tip for effeciency work, working small, quick object in day time working hours and when we leave office, put the large time consuming object for over night job. And in case of support material in use (most of case), production time is not only printing, the bath (removing support) also takes several hours, this also needs to consider.
Used files¶
Files are at group work page.