*156B Week 1
Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.
Project is still in design phase
More tests are being conducted in order to further refine design solutions
This week's focus will be finalize designs and begin ordering materials
Accomplishments from Previous Week
Obtained feedback from sponsor on presentation material and results and further divided work
Goals for Next Week (list names after each item). Use specific and measurable objectives.
Design
Finalize prototype design, general structure, and material choices (all members)
Solid Dispenser (Michael)
Liquid Dispenser (Edwin)
Lid (Michael)
Temp Sensor Placement (Pablo)
Temp Sensor Circuitry (Pablo)
Research
Obtain lab space, work on individual component analysis (All)
Buy coffee maker and carafe (to learn inner workings) (Michael, Pablo)
Induction and magnetic stirrer (Howard)
Food grade materials (Howard, Edwin, Michael)
Electrical power distribution for components (Pablo)
Fabrication
Purchase induction cooktop (Howard)
IR Temp Sensor (Pablo)
Purchase Stirrer Parts (Howard)
Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
Sponsor Main Comments (all made on 3-13-15 in person)
Please generate list of risks and plan of attack for each risk
Please generate a project network diagram that identifies all tasks that need to be completed and their order/relevance to one another
Actions:
Both of these were generated and presented at the meeting yesterday
Sponsor Comments (made 3-30-15 in person)
Please obtain hard data/datasheet for induction cooktop and use for justification of induction cooktop purchase
(Regarding in class questions post-presentation) Remember that user will be able to adjust taste on machine by way of adjusting ingredient portions
Approve of induction cooktop to be purchased from amazon, need more research on vessel stainless steel type
Research:
Plastics to be used in place of stainless steel
Induction adapter so that glass container can still be used
Remember cleaning will be a big point of challenge/emphasis
Keep in mind Intertek Standards when designing
Actions: Comments just made--research is commencing
Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
Instructor Comments (in person 3/12/15)
Buy off the shelf products as much as possible
Present physics of frothing in risk reduction presentation
Generate proof of concept prototype
In fabrication, consider priorities as follows: off the shelf, 3D print, machine
Decide on a deadline for "ugly" proof of concept
Instructor Comments (via email 3/25/15)
Correct slides for presentation
Actions
Off shelf components are now being considered strongly
Physics of frothing presented
Proof of concept coming together, will be complete this week
Fabrication not begun, will be kept in consideratino
Deadline for Ugly proof of concept: April 24
Slides corrected
Comments from Other Students in the Class (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
All comments in Person:
Concerns about flavor
Recommended using premade coffee maker as foundation
Concern over how temperature control is actually affecting boiling since water only boils at 100C
Risks and Areas of Concern
Frothing
Overflow - controlled by temperature sensing, will not allow milk to boil for extended periods of time
Skin left behind - solved by strainer, will have to clean strainer
Coordinate temperature and stirring - use Arduino
Steam
Causing rust/degradation of components - research and invest in stainless components and ideally prevent steam from reaching components altogether
Adding humidity to ingredients - either lid or change geometry of the dispensing structure to prevent steam from reaching dry ingredients
Proper evacuation from boiling chamber - proper hole placements to allow for steam to exit away from the machine
Stirring (Magnetic)
Forceful boiling knocking stirrer out of place - if stirrer is fabricated, can use a stronger magnet, or can fabricate stirrer that is attached to pot
Customer has to deal with stirrer - prevent pouring stirrer out by either geometry of carafe or use of built in strainer
Temperature Sensing
Accuracy of temperature sensor- run tests to determine accuracy of temperature sensor, and if needed include second temperature sensor which can be used to calibrate tea temp sensor
Steam causing temperature to be skewed - depends on type of sensor and sensor placement
Cleaning
Fouling of milk - fluid dispensing chambers can be denoted with measurement lines which indicate how much milk to put for each serving-size option; try to find a material that is hydrophobic inside so not much residue remains to allow easy rinse cleaning; flush system with water after tea is made
Residue left in tubes - same as above, but for tubes
solid dispensing containers accumulating too much powder residue - making chambers removable for cleaning, as well as integrating components which continuously sweeps residue out as turntable spins
Carafe cleanability/resistance to stains/burns - determine most suitable material (glass, stainless steel, etc)
Variability of ingredients - can be dealt with in later phase of project
Different types of milk frothing different amounts
Chai varying in strength/boldness
Masala and sugar to taste
Resources or Information Required but not Available
Information on combining multiple electrical circuits -- to be obtained from Steve Roberts
Information on magnetic stirrer inner workings -- can either look more online or disassemble current one
Schedule
Upcoming milestone is to have all designs finalized by the first day of next week. This means deciding on liquid and solid dispensers and creating designs and CAD. For arduino and sensing, finalize circuit and thermometer placement
Gantt chart updated
Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)
Spent: $27
Remaining: $973
Progress on Report and Webpage
Webpage has been updated