Date of Award

2022

Degree Type

Capstone Project

First Advisor

Dr. Bahram Nassersharif

Abstract

Team 6, the ChemArt Crew, was tasked by ChemArt to design and build a machine that could assist in the manufacturing process of one of the company’s main exports: Christmas ornaments. Namely, one specific ornament that was hand-painted due to being a unique material that could not be colored with ChemArt’s usual machinery. Additionally, the ornament in question has a 2.5D surface as opposed to the flat metal ChemArt usually works with, further rendering it ineligible for ChemArt’s usual coloring methods.

The objective of the project was to design and build a machine capable of drawing highly-specific details on a 2.5D surface. Team 6 did extensive research into what machines already existed that could be applied to this situation, as well as machines that could be adapted to fulfill their objective. They explored options such as inkjet printers, 3D color printers, and robotic arms holding a pen. They decided to build and modify a CNC machine with stepper motors, 3D printed parts, and a pen holder in which different pens could be switched in and out.

There were many additional concerns for the CNC machine, such as cost, size, speed, safety, ease of maintenance, the accuracy and repeatability of its drawings, and whether or not it could perform autonomously. A QFD analysis was performed in order to establish design specifications and limitations, and to be used for engineering analysis further along in the design and manufacturing process.

Once the base CNC machine was assembled, the stepper motors and limit switches were wired and attached to the machine. They were controlled through a CNC xPRO V5. The program chosen to control the movements and orientation of the CNC machine was Candle GRBL Sender, allowing the user to adjust the CNC machine in infinitesimal increments.

After the final pen holder design was implemented, the CNC machine performed all tests within acceptable tolerances. Therefore, the project was a success.

Comments

Team Name: Team 6, ChemArt Crew

Sponsor: ChemArt

Document Reference: URI-MCE-402-006-2022

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