February Minutes

2/4/11

• updated wiki with more research on filtration membranes, injection molding, ultrasonic welding, etc.
• preparations for video: introduce ourselves in context of the project, “have fun”, introduce project (what it is, why we need to do it)
• met with Professor Lima discussing…
  • reformatting canine assembly to STL files for 3D printing
  • 3D printing prototype for human assembly
  • Nalgene Labware filtration systems
  • conduct SolidWorks tutorial on how to make a mold

2/6/11

• Met as a group to film and upload our introductory video.
• Researched the stepper motor, its applications, and created a function tree for a floppy disk drive, one of the devices that uses a stepper motor.

2/13/11

• Met with group to compromise on and create a QFD (quality function diagram) for our project.
• Researched information on liquid handling and filtering systems and uploaded it to the Wiki.

2/14/11

• Met with Professor Lima to discuss current progress: filter systems, liquid/fluid handling techniques, SolidWorks tutorial, canine molding.
• Need to research more on fluid handling systems. Find the best example and back it up by providing good explanations.
• Will try to find out if it will be useful to “stack” the filters, and if it will be more efficient to do the process by hand or by an automated system. A sterile room may also be a viable option.
• Also need to find out the best ways of getting the liquid in and out of the chamber.
• Will also get mesh bags.
• May also work on creating a mold for our project on SolidWorks if time.

2/16/11

• Looked up mesh bags and found…
  • eid103_mesh_bags.doc
  • Conclusion: We will not use a mesh bag.

2/17/11

• Met to discuss the best liquid handling techniques.
• Will try to base our system off of a design that already exists, such as chemical or food processing plant.
• Will try to search for a mechanical/electrical device for an automated solution after discovering that operating the system by hand would simply not be efficient enough.
• Research and conclusions to come soon…

2/23/11

• Met with Professor Lima to discuss current progress.
• Decided that since a mesh bag would not be used, a sponge could serve as a replacement possibility. Will have to be investigated.
• If we are using mesh bags we will have to find out about how much they cost.
• We need to decide if we are having an output filter.
• The real issue we currently have is in the automation of the pump. We need to decide how to connect and disconnect and manage the flow of the fluid transfer. One solution may be a pump controller which detects a certain amount of liquid that has passed through and shuts off when that amount goes through.
• Our current assignment for now is to come up with a filter solution of our own and design it on Solid Works. Information, updates, and hopefully pictures on that will come as soon as the design is finished.

2/24/11

• Met as a group to design our own filter solution on SolidWorks, and sent it to Professor Lima for feedback.