Background:
Design Overview:
The cart prototype uses a multi-tiered design, with each tier consisting of a circular basket where components are to be arranged in a circular fashion. Components are secured in each basket with cable vertically for them to sit between. The circular baskets are to rotate on a bearing when inside the conveyor washer, allowing for even water exposure for a thorough clean. Baskets are held in between 4 support poles for technicians to hold onto during cart transportation. These poles also serve to hold crossbars that support the baskets from below. Baskets all feature a grid pattern to allow water exposure from the floor sprayers and for water to drain after wash. The design also features 2 centripetal brakes to prevent the cart from spinning too quickly, which would lower the exposure time of water hitting the components.
CAD of Buffalo Prototype
Design Functionality:
Prototype testing was completed at the facility gather data on optimal component orientation and basic cleaning functionality. Components were secured using twine, a substitute for the cable during early testing phases.
Prototype with Components loaded
After testing different parameters, such as spin speed and orientation of components, we determined that lid components would clean regardless of spin and orientation, but wire bars were much trickier to clean. Our optimal cleaning set-up is a slowed spin with any orientation for the wire bars.
Performance Results of Final Prototype:
The final prototype was sent through the conveyor washer for analysis of cleaning and rotation speed. An accelerometer was placed on the prototype during the wash to gather rotation data.
Accelerometer tupperware set-up Buffalo prototype entering conveyor wash
The prototype is capable of loading a total of 100 components (20 components per layer). The components tested with riboflavin all showed satisfactory cleaning results. The accelerometer measured a rotation speed of 36 RPM inside the wash.
Washing functionality aside, the cart is heavier and a little more awkward to transport than the current mule carts in use. However, these carts do not require technicians to load and unload components before and after transportation from vivariums. Unlike the mules, the buffalo can be used in the conveyor washers, increasing the overall output of cleaned components for CAEP. 2 buffalo carts can also be loaded in the rack washer at a time.
Executive Summary:
See: https://docs.google.com/a/ucsd.edu/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZW5nLnVjc2QuZWR1fDE1NmItMjAxOS13aW50ZXItdGVhbTA3fGd4OjZjMDJjYWU5NDlhOTQ3ZDg