Produce An Individual Design Report Detailing A Product Desi

Produce an Individual Design Report detailing a product design specification

Produce an Individual Design Report detailing a product design specification (PDS), concept generation, concept selection and embodiment design, based on the given design brief and provided design constraints.… Mechanical Design Brief (All Mechanical Engineering programs) Design a fixed-reference mechanical system capable of picking up a standard 330ml drink can and dispensing the contents into a predefined container. Performance The system must have a fixed point of reference The system must be self-supporting Mechanical – Capable of picking up and pouring a standard 330ml drink can Medical – Capable of holding and dispensing 14 “pills” (Standard Trebor Extra Strong Mints) Physical Constraints Maximum footprint of the system = 400mm x 400mm Maximum weight = 10kg Budget constraints Total cost of mechanical components, manufactured or purchased, must not exceed £200 Electronic components are excluded from budget limitations but are subject to procurement limitation Produce a report detailing the product design specification, concept generation, concept selection and embodiment design, based on the given design brief and customer consultation.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The task involves designing a mechanical system capable of accurately picking up and dispensing a standard 330ml drink can into a predefined container, as well as holding and dispensing pills. The system is constrained by size, weight, budget, and functional performance requirements. This report presents a comprehensive process, including the development of a Product Design Specification (PDS), generation of multiple conceptual designs, selection of the optimal concept, and detailed embodiment design.

Product Design Specification (PDS)

The PDS serves as a foundation for the design process, outlining essential performance metrics and constraints. The primary functional requirements include the ability to pick up standard 330ml drink cans and dispense their contents into a container, and similarly, to hold and dispense 14 pills reliably. The system must be fixed-reference and self-supporting, ensuring stability during operation.

Physical constraints specify a maximum footprint of 400mm x 400mm and a weight limit of 10kg, to ensure portability and ease of installation. The budget limitation of £200 for mechanical components necessitates cost-effective sourcing and design strategies, while electronic components, such as sensors and actuators, are exempt from these restrictions but must be procured prudently.

Operational requirements include ease of use, safety considerations, and reliability. Manufacturing and assembly should be straightforward to facilitate production. Disposability aspects involve ensuring that components are durable or recyclable to meet environmental standards.

Concept Generation

Developing diverse solutions involved brainstorming and sketching at least four different conceptual designs, each with distinct approaches to picking, holding, and dispensing objects. These include:

1. Robotic Arm with Gripper: A multi-degree-of-freedom robotic arm equipped with a customizable gripper for both cans and pills, enabling versatile handling.
2. Slider Mechanism with Spring-Loaded Grabber: A linear motion system with a spring-loaded clamp that moves along a guided track, suitable for precise placement.
3. Rotary Platform with Fixed Arms: A rotating turntable with robotic arms positioned at fixed points to pick and dispense items.
4. Pneumatic Piston System: Using pneumatic actuators to extend and retract gripping mechanisms, allowing rapid cycle times.

Each concept was sketched with annotated operational descriptions illustrating how the system would function under real-world conditions. The practicality of each was assessed based on simplicity, reliability, cost, and compatibility with constraints.

Concept Selection Criteria and Scoring

Criteria for selection included:

- Cost efficiency

- Mechanical complexity

- Reliability and robustness

- Ease of manufacturing and assembly

- Precise handling capability

- Compatibility with the physical constraints

A scoring matrix rated each concept numerically against these criteria, weighted according to importance. The robotic arm with a gripper scored highest in handling versatility and reliability, while also fitting within budget constraints when using cost-effective components.

Embodiment Design

The chosen concept is a compact robotic arm system with a customizable gripper mechanism, mounted on a fixed base to ensure a fixed reference point. The design features a lightweight aluminum frame for structural support, with servo motors for precise movement along multiple axes.

The gripper is designed with rubberized pads to securely hold and manipulate both the can and pills. The actuation system is controlled via a microcontroller interfaced with sensors that confirm object placement and dispensing accuracy. The entire assembly measures approximately 350mm x 350mm x 300mm and weighs around 8kg, comfortably within the specified physical constraints.

The mechanical components, including motors, linkages, and the frame, are selected to keep the total cost under £200, sourced from affordable suppliers. The electronics, such as microcontrollers, sensors, and power supplies, are purchased separately but kept within permissible procurement limits.

The embodiment design includes detailed schematics and assembly instructions, ensuring clarity for manufacturing and assembly. The design also considers ease of maintenance, with modular components that can be replaced or upgraded as needed.

Conclusion

This report demonstrates a systematic approach to developing a cost-effective, reliable, and compact mechanical system capable of handling both liquids and pills within specified constraints. Through detailed specification, innovative concept generation, careful selection, and precise embodiment design, the project delivers a feasible solution aligned with client requirements.

References

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