📃 Summary

This design project was to design and automate a waste sorting solution to a growing and alarming issue in Canada. Cities are needing a large-scale method to reduce waste in landfills. The objective of this project is to develop an efficient system to automate the process of identifying and sorting containers for further recycling processes. For this project, I became apart of the modelling sub-team.

🧑🏻‍💼 Responsibilities

For this design project, I was tasked to be the manager of my team. As the manager, I…

• Ensured all work was complete.
• Created a initial schedule in the form of a Gantt Chart to plan our submissions.
• Led design studio meetings and discussions amongst team and staff.

Our preliminary (initial) schedule developed in Gantt Chart format.

📝Design Process

1. Concept Sketching:
   1. On the modelling sub-team, each of us were tasked to generate concept sketches of a mechanism that will deposit containers into a recycling station bin.
2. Virtual Modelling:
   1. The members of the modelling sub-team used Inventor to turn our refined sketch of the mechanism into a fully-constrained model. Our chosen design uses a gear system in which one is attached to an actuator and the other has a built-in rod. This rod is connected to a slider which lifts the bin upon the rotation of the gears. This was switched from a initially planned linear actuator design.
3. Physical Modelling:
   1. After 3D printing and laser-cutting our components, we assembled the model. It was a success! All the components came together perfectly and fit in place. We were able to lift and empty the bin as we pleased.
4. Post-Project:
   1. This project taught me valuable lessons and fortified my skills in Inventor as we designed a mechanism to deposit containers into recycling systems. I learned:
      1. How to constrain items in Inventor!
      2. How to use constructive feedback for improvement!
      3. To keep stay positive and keep persevering as the going gets tough.

A refined concept sketch of our proposed mechanism.

🪞Reflection

Over the course of this project, I acquired many valuable skills and learned valuable lessons which included:

• Learning how to navigate Inventor gaining a better feel for the application.
  • Obtained through the struggles that I overcame to complete the fully constrained model of our mechanism.
• Gaining insights on the importance of teamwork.
  • Obtained through striving off communication, as issues arose, we were quick to come together and think of a solution regardless of the issue’s severity. Everyone was open-minded and willing to work together.
• The Importance of Feedback.
  • Obtained through design meetings. Many challenges and issues were mentioned to our team by staff regarding our mechanism. Rather than taking this feedback negatively, we consistently used it to improve our design.

An engineering drawing of the mounts used on our mechanism.

🛠️ Software / Hardware

• AutoDesk Inventor
• Microsoft Office
• PrusaSlicer
• 3D Printing
• Laser Cutting

🌟 Skills

• Creativity
• Organization
• Communication
• Problem-Solving
• Time Management

A 3D model of our finalized mechanism concept.

👁️ Looking To The Future

• Improving prudence.
  • This would have allowed for more time to explore the design space.
• Expect the unexpected.
  • Rather than working off good assumptions, the design could have been improved if it were to have been built based on bad assumptions regarding the components provided to the team.
• Ensuring thorough communication.
  • We should ensure that every member of the team is in accord and possesses complete understanding of the deadlines and tasks at hand to ensure optimal efficiency during the design process.