Projects
3rd Year
Individual Project
Oct 2017 - May 2018
For my final year individual project, I undertook a research project set up by Loughborough University's Sports Technology Institute. The project brief was to design and analysis a novel wheelchair design to enhance the performance of elite wheelchair tennis athletes.
In the sport of wheelchair tennis, important factors to consider include the manoeuvrability performance of the wheelchair, the ease of propulsion, the athlete's stability, due to human body support and the frame of the wheelchair.
I identified the torso function of the wheelchair athlete as the potential issue that may hinder the performance of most athletes. I addressed this issue by reducing the weight of the frame with a concept that automatically fuses a few typical components of a sports wheelchair, including the castor wheels and added hand grips, into one integrated frame. In effect, this reduced the amount of material required for a tennis wheelchair. Furthermore, this design helps enhance the wheelchair’s manoeuvrability performance and is more ergonomic than the current tennis wheelchair design.
I ran three iterations of finite element analysis tests on the existing wheelchair design using Siemens NX 11.0 and FEMAP for NX NASTRAN. This allowed me to alter my design according to a required factor of safety. Despite having to increase the diameter of the integrated frame and a few other components, I still managed to maintain the concept of reducing the amount of material and weight of a typical tennis wheelchair. The outcome of this was a final novel wheelchair design which was evaluated by experts.
Sustainable Manufacturing
Nov 2017 - Dec 2017
The task was to dismantle a Vonshef electric whisk and evaluate, in detail, some eco-design factors involved in the product. The four areas of eco-design consideration that were included in this project were:
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Design for Disassembly
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Recycling of Metallic Contents
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Recycling of Non-Metallic Contents
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Energy Conservation
The outcome of this project was a group report.
2nd Year
Container Project
Oct 2016-Jan 2017
I developed an aesthetically unorthodox container for display, to my own strict deadlines. I had to carry out research in sustainable materials, fixing methods, colour and texture. I conceptualized my ideas with hand drawings and selected the best idea based on my findings. These ideas were communicated in a visual A3 portfolio, with a small proportion of written communication.
The final product was a mock-up container that was aesthetically unorthodox due to its functionality. I produced the prototype in the lab, with the technicians, using manufacturing processes such as 3D printing and Computer Numerical Control machining processes. These skills cover a wide range of phases in the product development lifecycle.
Plane Project
Nov 2016 - Jan 2017
I was in a group of four for a plane project, where the group had to design a plane model for the most fuel-efficient flight. We all equally contributed to the mathematical model, which was produced using Microsoft Excel. I also took the initiative of researching facts and statistics on plane technology. Also, I suggested to the rest of the group what methods we should use to determine variables such as the altitude of the plane, the time of flight, mass of fuel used, fuel consumption etc.
Mechatronics Project
Feb 2017 - Apr 2017
The group had to design a mini-vehicle system that involved the application of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and computer science. This was done through the programming of an open loop control system known as dead reckoning. The project involved producing and adjusting the code required, on a piece of desktop software called the Bricx Command Centre, which was used to conform to the PID control requirements. The outcome was a road and traffic light system, which was built for a Lego robot to travel around, to carry coloured balls into a machine that separated the balls by colour.
1st Year
Design and Make Project
Oct 2015 – Jan 2016
We had to design, manufacture and test a structure to support a load. The structure had to span a minimum of 0.395m, support a minimum load of 200N and include a 100mm x 100mm back plate. Furthermore, it had to be designed and manufactured to weigh as less as possible, withstand as much load, above 200N, as possible and have a low manufacturing cost (my responsibility in the team). The material restrictions were steel and/or aluminum alloys. The only processes that could not be used were welding and gluing.
Air Engine Project
Feb 2016 – Mar 2016
This project required us to plan and manufacture an engine powered by compressed air. Therefore, this was a project that developed my manufacturing skills and knowledge. This engine contained 14 different components. I was allocated to the crank and connecting rod in this project. I planned out what manufacturing processes were to be used and what sequence they would go in for two of these components. Then, I manufactured the crank and connecting rod in the workshop. Next, I helped the team assemble the engine and undergo a draft test to determine whether the engine was functioning in an appropriate manner. Finally, an official test of the engine took place as it ran on a standard air supply and its power output was measured. This was an assessment of the manufacturing accuracy and quality of each engine component.
Mini Project: Engine Analysis
Feb 2016 – Mar 2016
The aim was to produce a technical report, analysing a 'K' Series car engine focusing upon materials and manufacturing processes of specific components, such as the crankshaft, piston, cylinder block, connecting rods and cylinder liners.
Dismantle and Discover Mini-Project
Mar 2016 – Apr 2016
This project required us to dismantle and investigate the key design aspects of a Tesco value toaster. As a group, we collectively gained more knowledge about the materials and manufacturing processes by considering what would have been the key constraints set by the product design specification to manufacture the toaster, and also, the sustainability factors that influenced the design of the toaster and improvements that could be made.
