Design Requirements:
*Requirements as specified in EGR 3380: Engineering Design 1 spring semester 2008 Request for Proposal for the Design of a Part Stacking Machine.
Each design team was required to design a spool stacking machine that meets or exceeds all of the criteria below.
a. Spools: The spools shall be: Lara's Crafts 3/4" x 1" or equivalent
b. Function: The Part Stacking Machine shall stack spools onto four stacking rods. Each stacking rod shall be 1/8" in diameter and between 5 1/4" to 5 1/2" in length. Each stacking rod shall hold five spools for a total of twenty spools. The twenty spools shall start in a standing position within a circular area 6" in diameter. The surface fo the circular area must be solid. At the start of the device operation, nothing other than the spools may be in the volume defined by the perimeter of the circle extended upward two inches. At completion of device operation, the four rods shall be mounted vertically within a 3" x 6" rectangular area that is pleaced a minimum of 6" from the center of the circle. Prior to device operation, the cicular area shall be at a vertical level equal to or below that of the rectangular area where the spools are stacked.
c. Control: The Part Stacking Machine shall use the client-specified microcontroller. In addition, operation may proceed with user input of electrical signals through buttons, switches, or other input devices that convey user instructions electrically. Users cannot apply inputs that manuslly convey mecahnical forces for user to moving parts.
d. Time and Scoring: the stacking operation shall occur within a maximum time of five minutes. the number of spools correctly stacked at the five minute mark from the start of operation will be used to calculate the device performance figure of merit. If all twenty spools are coreectly stacked in less tahn five minutes, the amount of time under five minutes will contribute to the fugure of merit. If the device ceases to function prior to the five minute mark, but without all spools stacked properly, a default time of five minutes will be assigned to the device. The figure of merit will be calculated according to the following formula
Figure of Merit: Fm=N^2 + (300-Tc)
where N is the number of correctly stacked spools (0<N<20) and Tc is the completion time of teh device in seconds (Tc<300). Tc=300 for N!=20.
e. Power: The Part Stacking Machine shall be powered by a voltage source of less tahn or equal to 24 VDC. The voltage may be achieved either through the use of dry cell batteries or via a transformer that converts 110 VAC.
f. Size and Weight: when set up for operation, the Part Stacking Machine shall fit within a volume defined by a 20" x 20" base x 24" height (excluding power cords and/or hand-held controller). The PSM weight shall not exceed 20-lbs.
g. Setup: The PSM shall be capable of setup and operation on any typical classroom desk/table top with no requirement other than acess to a 110VAC wall outlet, if required. A five minute setup time is allowed for compliance testing.
h. Reset: after completion of a stacking operation, the PSM shall be capable of being reset and performing another stacking operation within 1 minute.
Baylor University
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Spring 2008