The process of making something from a semi-finished or raw materials state to a complete product can be time-consuming therefore it is important to create a step by step process and requirement to streamline the production. The use of ready-made components as major components can also be instrumental in efficiently speeding up the manufacturing process. To realize the design and bring it to life, key components must be fabricated using the tools and machines available at the UNT manufacturing facilities. An understanding of the manufacturing requirements is mandatory to create a process that can be replicated at any given time.

The process of making something from a semi-finished or raw materials state to a complete product can be time-consuming therefore it is important to create a step by step process and requirement to streamline the production. The use of ready-made components as major components can also be instrumental in efficiently speeding up the manufacturing process. To realize the design and bring it to life, key components must be fabricated using the tools and machines available at the UNT manufacturing facilities. An understanding of the manufacturing requirements is mandatory to create a process that can be replicated at any given time .

The different kinds of stages are as follows:

The project was designed to be able to go through its processes during the first half of a lab class. The dimensions of the tanks (air and water) were specifically chosen with the students’ attention span in mind. It was also supposed to be fitted with a cart attachment, but the COVID-19 virus paused production indefinitely. Instead, the team created a portable alternative that can be carried by the average person. This version is compact and visually pleasing, and the students can watch the components operate along with LabVIEW. This stage is the most important part of the project. The team wanted the system to be efficient, portable, and appealing to the eye.

At this stage the machine processes discussed above was implemented with the manufacturing requirement in mind. the water tank components were turned down to the right diameter using the lathe machine. The polycarbonate sheets were cut to the right dimension to make the air tank box which was assembled and bonded together with acrylic plastic cement. Each component bracket and heating plate was made on the CNC based on their generated G-code. The housing box for the electrical component and the baseboard was cut off sheet of ABS plastic to the right dimension on the vertical bandsaw. Every holes and groves were made using the Bridgeport milling machines based on the design dimension. The housing frames was also cut to the right length using a blade saw. With the parts laid out and completed the next stage can begin.

In this stage the electric circuits was first tested on a breadboard to determine the best and power efficient way to activate our system. Relays switch were used as a last line defense against electrical shortages. voltage regulators were used to maintain a fixed output voltage for the 5v volt relays. A fuse was also integrated with the power inlet to protect the system in the event of excessive current. The wires and connections were made permanent by soldering joints together of unto the circuit board. All electrical components, including the power supply were assembled and put into the watertight box with the consideration of space and safety in mind.

The parts were assembled in a way to have almost all components visible because Engineering Technology students tend to retain more information when they have something visual, they work with. To achieve this, we decided to go with an open frame enclosure for most of the components. The hidden components were those that the students should never handle because they are the most hazardous part of the assembly. These parts include the power supply and wiring harness. For the assembly of the modules, the team broke it up into 3 separate sections, the frame, the upper level and the air tank.