All in One Home Waste Disposal System

Designed a manual compacting waste disposal system which has optimized space and segregation capability of a household recycling bin with aesthetic compatibility. Utilized analytical product development tools like touchpoint model, QFD, down selection matrix to arrive at product design, Kansei methodology to convert the qualitative aesthetic input through consumer surveys into quantitative attribute selection, LIDS methodology for material and manufacturing process selection and cost model with break-even analysis assuming .The proof of concept was validated using conjoint analysis.

 Abstract:

The current waste disposal process in United States households is inefficient in terms of indoor space taken up by trash and recyclables, and time spent emptying the indoor bins. Survey of homeowners indicates frustration with these two steps of the recycling process as well as lack of knowledge on waste separation. The goal of this project is to design a home waste disposal system that can optimize indoor space and decrease the number of times needed to empty the indoor bins. The All-in-one Home Waste Disposal System is a three compartment bin for recyclables (plastic and paper), trash and returnable items. The three compartments are well labelled in order to inform the user on how to properly segregate waste. The bin has compacting capabilities in the trash and recycling sections. This is achieved by using a manual compacter with an increased mechanical leverage system. The user provides the compression force using a handle bar lever that attaches to the sides of the bin. This lever slides down in front of the bin and has two plungers attached to it, which compresses the recycle and trash compartments of the bin. The design was developed and tested using Solid Works and FEM to check stresses in the handle bar and plungers. A clean professional aesthetic look was applied to the All-in-one Home Waste Disposal System in order to blend it with modern household appliances. User tests will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of our product in comparison to the current household bin system. This product is expected to be competitive with normal indoor trash bins with increased volume optimization and segregation capability.

Highlights:

Market Research and downselection:

Combination Table of different ideas

Downselection Matrix

Ergonomic study and product design:

OSHA Max standards for pushing and pulling

Autodesk Forceeffect for force analysis in linkages

Trash compacting mechanism (Left) and Recyclables compacting mechanism(right)

SolidWorks stress and displacement analysis for critical components

Features of All in One Compacter

 Material selection and Mass Manufacturing:

LIDS circle for electric compacter mass manufacturing

MET Matrix for material selection 

Cycle Time Calculation for mass manufacturing

Capital Equipment layout for mass manufacturing

 Financial Forecast:

Profit Model

Proof of Concept at Design Expo 2016 at University of Michigan

Validation of design using conjoint analysis

Attribute comparison chart using customer feedback

Assembly Modeling for Design and Manufacturing of a ‘clamp on’ mini bench vise

This ‘clamp on’ bench vise is different from the conventional ‘on’ table bench vise as it can be used for making ‘Do It Yourself’ (DIY) jewellery, soldering, assembling, or painting. It is portable and easy to maneuver. This report provides a detailed description of this bench vise, its key functions, product assembly, geometric key characteristics (K.C.), and the assembly liaison diagram.

Datum Flow Chain:

To analyze the datum flow chain, it is important to look at which assembly features are responsible for each mate and contact and how they constrain the degrees of freedom in the DFC. For this purpose, we need to define a global reference frame for defining the coordinate directions. Global reference frame is chosen as shown below. We analyze the two states of our product, which are before the screw (3) being fully tightened while the sliding jaw is on the start of the sliding track and after the screw (3) being fully tightened with sliding jaw when the sliding jaw reaches the end of the sliding track/when an object is fully clamped.

Need of Fixture:

Assembly sequence:

Improved Design:

1. To improve the ease of assembly for the second sequence, it may be helpful to have a threaded hole in the fixed jaw and a through hole in the sliding jaw. This aids in separate assembly of the Sliding Jaw (1) with the sub assembly 1. The ease of assembly is increased in this case because the circlip can also be fastened in the subassembly without any hinderance.
2. The location of the “military specification external retaining ring” is in a way that leaves 5 mm gap between it and the fixed body resulting in slack and it can only be assembled before the sliding jaw is inserted, hence, reducing the wobbling function of the screw. One bush of 5 mm can be added before the side-mount external retaining ring (E-style) thereby acting as shims as shown in Fig. 17. This improvement does not constrain the wobbling function during assembly as the screw (3) → bush → sliding jaw (1) → snap ring. After the snap ring is assembled in this case, the screw (3) does not have slack in ‘y’ direction thereby constraining the wobbling function (θx, θz) which is not needed by the customer.

Model Based Systems Engineering of Rooftop Windmill

 Designed a windmill with Systems Approach using XLDyn. This involved satisfying key stakeholders with requirements and verifying using constraints and models. The requirements, sub-requirements were classified as functional and physical. They were mapped and had their parameters defined.

 Below mentioned requirements were verified.

1. RPM of Generator
2. Windspeed
3. AverageRainFall
4. AverageSnowFall
5. Lowest Temperature
6. Highest Temperature
7. XLconstraint1
8. Blade Distance Measurement
9. windvelocity
10. Stop Time Simulation
11. NoiseValue
12. Load carrying capacity
13. Operator

Assumptions for various requirements

1.Reliability Model:

The windmill runs for 24 hours in 365 days.(Maximum limit scenario)

Whereas actual downtime for the cumulative effect of all the MTBF’s of the sub system components, considering the given parameters of temperature, wind speed, rainfall and snowfall, will be lesser because the number of working days per year would be lesser than 365.

2.Control - Operator Output:

It is assumed that there is a sensor which detects the output power of the generator.When the output power is less than 10 Watts an alarm system starts beeping.This alert system advises the operator to regulate the generator speed in order to bring the power output above 10W.

3.Load Carrying Capacity:

It is assumed from the pugh matrix above that the structure is made up of,

Ground Support - Concrete

Vertical Support - Steel Pole

Rotational Support - Turntable

Hence the load carrying capacity is verified using CAE analysis using loading condition of above 150 kg for this requirement.

4. Wind Velocity:

Wind velocity is measured with a wind speed sensor that shows direction and wind velocity, since it is not a good approach to calculate wind velocity from other parameters.

5. Weather conditions:

Weather conditions like rainfall, snowfall, wind speed and temperature will be observed or measured using CAT/CAE.

6. Noise : Acceptable Decibel level for the Windmill Noise is less than 50 dB

Reference:http://apps2.eere.energy.gov/wind/windexchange/pdfs/workshops/mwwg_turbine_noise.pdf

7. Transmission Efficiency : Standard Transmission Efficiency is 90% as per the below graph

Windmill Requirements:

A        Generate Energy – Windmill shall be capable of supplying the specified net power under the defined operating conditions

A.1  Output Capability(100<gen_RPM_range<950) – It shall have an output capability to drive a 10 Watt DC continuous load but an operator shall be able to adjust that output to drive any load less than 10 Watts.

B        Store Energy – Windmill shall be able to store energy output for future use. Storage mechanism can be application dependent

C        QRD – Windmill must be able to withstand environmental and operating loads and meet customer quality and reliability requirements.

C.1   Yearly Average Wind speed(yearlyavgwindspeed=7) – It shall withstand Yearly Average Wind speed of 7mph.

C.2   Yearly Average Rainfall(yearlyavgrainfall=36) – It shall withstand the yearly average rainfall of 2 inch.

C.3   Yearly Average Snowfall(yearlyavgsnowfall=45) – It shall withstand the Yearly Average Snowfall of 45 inch given the Maximum Daily Snowfall of 18 inch.

C.4   Lowest Temp(lowesttemp>-22) – It shall withstand Lowest Temp less than or equal to 22 F.

C.5   Highest Temp(highesttemp<102) – It shall withstand the temperature up to 102 F.

C.6   System Reliability(Downtime<10) – Downtime for the windmill should be less than 10 Days per year.

D        Safety – Windmill shall provide safe operation for operators, bystanders, and nearby residents

D.1  Windmill blade distance(minbladedist>4) – Windmill blades shall maintain minimum distance of 4 m from other structures and the ground during operation

D.2  Power down maximum wind velocity(PwDwnMaxWindVel<40) – Windmill shall automatically power down if wind velocity exceeds 40 MPH

D.3  Locking System – It shall provide mechanical lock out to prevent operation of the Windmill during maintenance and extreme environmental conditions.

D.4  Windmill shutdown(stoptime<3) – Windmill shall go from operational velocity to complete stop in 3 sec.

E         HMI – Windmill system shall provide for operator monitoring and control of the system

E.1   Monitoring System – It Shall have a monitoring system to record and display rotational speed, power output, wind velocity, and wind direction.

F         System Installation Dimensions - Dimensions and weight must be within limits that are compatible with the defined installation environment

F.1   Weight(weight<250) – Total Windmill weight shall not exceed 250 kg

F.2    Height(height<6) – Maximum Windmill height shall be less than 6 m

F.3    Base footprint(base<1.5) – Maximum Windmill footprint shall be less than 1.5 m2..

F.4   Fin Boom(finboom<1.2) – Maximum fin boom length for worst case scenario of Blade length 1 m corresponding to a shaft height of 5 m.

G    Blade System – Blade system must convert wind kinetic energy to torque

H        Transmission System – Transmission transmits the rotational energy of the blades to the generator.  It shall provide optimum speed matching between the blade system and the generator.  It shall provide a brake to stop the system.

H.1  Speed Change System – System to match blade rotation to generator speed

H.2  Brake System – Brake system stops all blade rotation

H.3  Noise System – System to control Noise levels for transmission

H.3.1         Noise(dB<50) – The Noise level of the transmission system shall not exceed 50 dB.

H.4  Efficiency System – System to control efficiency of transmission system

H.4.1         Efficiency(eff>90) – Efficiency of Transmission system shall be more that 90%.

I          Generator – The generator will provide the required electrical energy

J          Structure – The structure holds the blades, transmission, generator and necessary controls in position while undergoing environmental and operating loads.  It also provides for rotation of turbine with changing wind direction

J.1    Load carrying capacity(Load<150) – The load carrying capacity of a structure shall not go beyond 150 Kgs.

K        Controls – Control System shall maintain safe operation, control distribution of power, monitor status of system, and display system status

K.1   Operator Output(POW<10) Operator shall be able to adjust that output to drive any load less than 10 Watts

Engineering Student Government - 2016

Platform 

Motto - To contribute tiny cumulative positive improvements on campus with increased attention to student's voices on campus simultaneously ensuring a speedy and efficient change for the issue.(Efficiency of our work will be graded by feedback from students).

Five keywords to reflect my character :

• Passion
• Courage
• Honesty
• Trust
• Growth

 

Academics – 

• Bringing learning to life by integrating ‘Augmented Reality’ (AR) in every aspect on campus education like make ‘math’ come alive through videos of students solving math problems--perhaps students can trigger an AR by pointing their smartphone at a particular equation. 

Increase the frequency of socializing events and setup an interdisciplinary network of engineers.Like a Piazza dicussion from ESG every week for all different engineers on campus.This will give a different perspective on how to solve a problem.

Transparency – Increase effectiveness and maximize impact by honesty and communication through social media. Example: Organize many ‘Facebook Live’ events to ensure the students know not only the activities, accomplishments but also the administration struggles which ESG is going through.Ensure every engineering graduate student's voice is heard through social media.

Sustainability on campus - Encourage innovation and student competitions concentrating on 

‘Engineering a sustainable future’ by making UMICH a role model for other public universities around the globe. To encourage participation rates the patent filing (monetary part) process can be sponsored by directing appropriate ESG funds.

Miscellaneous - 

• Facility for sleeping pods to take power naps in Duderstadt Library.
• Immediately implement hot water facility in drinking water outlets in the Duderstadt for winter 2017.
• Ensure all the engineering department buildings have appropriate maps and directions
• Identify issues in Duderstadt Library and make it the perfect place for late night study on campus. (Like availability of food / coffee through stalls).

My Qualifications for the Senate:

 In Short

• Financial accountability
• Leadership
• Socially motivated

·         Student Caller at Michigan Tele fund - Working as a Student Caller to help raise funds for the University of Michigan. Called on behalf of different schools within the University, such as the College of Engineering, Ross School of Business as well as the University of Michigan Flint and Dearborn campuses. Helping alumni and friends of the University understand the value that giving can have to help current and future students succeed.I have understood the value of money and how it needs to be directed to ensure overall development.

·         Vice-Captain of Formula SAE Team – Coordinated and scheduled the various activities of the team and was the official spokesperson.

·         Treasurer of SAE BAJA Team (India) – In charge of budget allocation for the team while maintaining cash inflows and expenditures.

·         Business team lead for FSAE and BAJA (India) – Presented Business plans presented a Manufacturing plan to roll out 4000 vehicles over a period of five years and the investment required. A Break even Analysis showing the break-even point and return of investment.

·         Elected as the School President for two terms – With proper management of activities and maintaining a transparent communication between the student community and management community solved problems like the Lunch Menu. Initiated many student campaigns on raising awareness about health and education in a village in India. Praiseworthy leadership skills and served as an inspiration to all my schoolmates.

·         Class Representative in undergrad – Responsible to communicate issues faced by students of Mechanical Engineering to the Class Committee Chairman and find out a feasible solution by striking the perfect chord.
       
      Social Campaigns:  

•        During floods in Chennai,India  -  http://agarshnamurari.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2015-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2016-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=7
•        Massive Cleanup Campaign, Chennai,India -http://agarshnamurari.blogspot.com/2015/02/clean-up-campaign-in-west-mambalam.html
•        Kabadiwalla Connect project, Chennai,India - http://agarshnamurari.blogspot.com/2014/02/a-mobile-app-to-help-find-your-nearest.html   

·         Honors and Awards –

1.      Best performing Mechanical Engineering Student (2015)

2.      Roll of Honor – The little Kingdom School, TN , India (2012)

SAE SUPRA 2016 - Budhh International Circuit

SUPRA 2k16!

We Team Traxion from SVCE,Chennai took part in SUPRA 2016 conducted by SAEINDIA at the Budhh International Circuit,Greater Noida.

The Blunicorn

The rear view!

   With FSAE level of judging by the German and Russian scrutinizers the mission to clear the Technical Inspection was tougher than expected.We never gave up and approached the event with optimism.Out of 172 teams which took part in the event only 54 teams cleared the Technical Inspection,Tilt Test and Noise Test.Team Traxion made it!!

With the TI sticker! :)

As the vice captain of our team I was responsible for compiling the Design report of our open wheeled race car and doing a Sales Presentation for our car.I along with Sanju(Team member) presented our vehicles business plan.The judges were impressed with our break even analysis and our unique selling points.The results are yet to be announced!
   

With the German Judges Christian and Christopher who
appreciated our design and build quality!

During the Sales Presentation event!

The journey is more important than the destination!

Race to SUPRA 2016!

As the Vice Captain for Team Traxion for SUPRA SAE INDIA 2016, we are currently in the manufacturing phase of our open wheeled race car for the All India competition on July 4,2016 held at Buddh international circuit, Noida.

First Team Meet!

 Our design focuses on the drivability, ergonomics, endurance and good overall performance for the vehicle simultaneously strictly adhering with all the rules thereby giving the necessary advantage in the competition. Our components have been carefully chosen according to our vehicle’s needs and the competition’s nature and we intend to give our best.

During Manufacturing!

Stay Tuned for more updates...........