Summary Page for Individual Report
| Date: November 27, 2006 |
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Table of Contents |
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| Author: Justin Prince | Team: Team EFI |
(format taken from Shane Peterson of Team Hexaball ‘05)
(All sketches, models, and drawings created by Justin Prince)
Problem Statement:
The design of the Titan-40w test cell requires a mechanism that will secure the module and provide contact with the wires of the module for testing. This mechanism will require some type of wire preparation so that consistant contact can be made during testing this surge supression device.
As part of wire preparation, a wire shearing device was conceptualized. This wire shearing device would cut the wires of a module leaving the finely cut ends prepared for contact with wire probes. In doing this, it was important to consider safety, durability, and manufacturing difficulty of the wire shear device. Another requirement for this device was that it be integrated into the automation of the overall test cell.
Summary of Approach:
The approach I took was to look at existing wire cutting devices and investigate how those devices might be modified to work in an automated environment cutting several seperate wires at once. Additional ideas were conceptualized and explored. Each was evaluated to determine which would be investigated further for use in the design of the test cell.
Summary of Results:
Several ideas were considered during concept generation and selection. The concept chosen for further investigation was a multi-blade guillotine style cutting device that uses an actuator to supply the cutting motion. This concept may also provide a method by which contact is made with the wires of the Titan-40w module for testing.
Lessons Learned:
The process of concept generation and selection works. Several ideas were transformed into concepts. Concepts were refined and downselected using a QFD approach. The two best concepts were modeled and a best design was selected and further refined.
Another lesson learned involves material selection. Materials for the selected design will must be selected. Because of the electrical hazards associated with testing the Titan-40w, material selection becomes more complicated than simply selecting a material that is strong enough. The design works, but it’s overall functionality will depend on the selection of materials to ensure safe, durable, and affordable operation.