timothykamp
ArboristSite Member
** I’m posting in this forum because I’m always seeing posts on “building the ultimate ___”, and I see an opportunity to combine the ideas of a lot of smart people who might not have all the resources to develop something. I can’t speak for my team yet, but I’m interested in the open source movement and would be interested in perhaps making some our project/prototype/etc available.**
First, a quick bit of background on an unusual request. I'm a senior in Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University. Senior design started this week, and we're picking/ deciding on projects. Unless I propose a good enough project, I'm stuck doing something with the title of personal cooling, and I'm far more interested in lots more interesting things. By Tuesday, I need to write 2-3 project proposals - a half page summary about an idea, what it entails, why it's needed and why it's a new approach or a better solution to the current one, if appropriate.
Here's what we have at our disposal:
I'm a member of a 7-man team with around $1000 at our disposal, more if we have sponsors, etc. We've been taught 2-3 CAD systems, computational fluid dynamics, lots about dynamics/materials science and quite a lot about thermodynamics, heat/mass transfer, machine design, and mechanical and electrical controls.
We have access to a full machine shop, prototyping areas, many different software tools, research labs, access to all the faculty, and contacts to some of the best engineers in industry.
WHAT WE NEED:
Between now and May 1, we are tasked with designing, prototyping, testing and presenting a design project. It must be sufficiently complex (we can’t make a new paper towel holder) and still remain feasible (no new kinetic hybrid cars, only go-karts). Safety is a big concern, and so we can’t be blowing things up. Controlled combustion is OK.
Examples of previous projects
-Automatic robotic beverage dispenser for airlines
-Autonomous robotic snowblower
-Automatic egg cooker
-hydroelectric power for underdeveloped countries
-Solar desalinator
-Low cost underwater robot from PVC pipe
I'm especially looking for ideas that involve any or all of the following - control systems, programmable logic controllers, hydraulic systems, wind power, heating systems, alternative energy, etc.
Personally, I cut and sell a lot of firewood each year, and considered building a multi-fuel boiler system. It would automatically switch between different fuels (corn, pellets, logs, waste oil, etc) as heat demand increased/output decreased and would perhaps have add-ons that tie directly into a radiant floor heat system, a home hot water heater, a swimming pool, or other things. I’m interested in this, but any other equipment also appeals to me. Before I came to college I built a log splitter, biodiesel reactor, and a hovercraft in my garage, so you can see I’m open to just about anything.
Lastly and most importantly, thanks for your help!
First, a quick bit of background on an unusual request. I'm a senior in Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University. Senior design started this week, and we're picking/ deciding on projects. Unless I propose a good enough project, I'm stuck doing something with the title of personal cooling, and I'm far more interested in lots more interesting things. By Tuesday, I need to write 2-3 project proposals - a half page summary about an idea, what it entails, why it's needed and why it's a new approach or a better solution to the current one, if appropriate.
Here's what we have at our disposal:
I'm a member of a 7-man team with around $1000 at our disposal, more if we have sponsors, etc. We've been taught 2-3 CAD systems, computational fluid dynamics, lots about dynamics/materials science and quite a lot about thermodynamics, heat/mass transfer, machine design, and mechanical and electrical controls.
We have access to a full machine shop, prototyping areas, many different software tools, research labs, access to all the faculty, and contacts to some of the best engineers in industry.
WHAT WE NEED:
Between now and May 1, we are tasked with designing, prototyping, testing and presenting a design project. It must be sufficiently complex (we can’t make a new paper towel holder) and still remain feasible (no new kinetic hybrid cars, only go-karts). Safety is a big concern, and so we can’t be blowing things up. Controlled combustion is OK.
Examples of previous projects
-Automatic robotic beverage dispenser for airlines
-Autonomous robotic snowblower
-Automatic egg cooker
-hydroelectric power for underdeveloped countries
-Solar desalinator
-Low cost underwater robot from PVC pipe
I'm especially looking for ideas that involve any or all of the following - control systems, programmable logic controllers, hydraulic systems, wind power, heating systems, alternative energy, etc.
Personally, I cut and sell a lot of firewood each year, and considered building a multi-fuel boiler system. It would automatically switch between different fuels (corn, pellets, logs, waste oil, etc) as heat demand increased/output decreased and would perhaps have add-ons that tie directly into a radiant floor heat system, a home hot water heater, a swimming pool, or other things. I’m interested in this, but any other equipment also appeals to me. Before I came to college I built a log splitter, biodiesel reactor, and a hovercraft in my garage, so you can see I’m open to just about anything.
Lastly and most importantly, thanks for your help!
