Date of Award

5-4-2026

Degree Type

Capstone Project

First Advisor

Professor Bahram Nassersharif

Abstract

This report presents the complete engineering design, development, testing, and evaluation of an Adjustable Mechanical Liquor Pourer. The objective of this project was to design a low-cost, purely mechanical device capable of delivering accurate, repeatable, and adjustable liquid volumes for both commercial and consumer applications. The design process followed a structured engineering methodology beginning with problem identification and research into existing dispensing methods, followed by patent analysis, competitive evaluation, and concept generation.

Initial design concepts relied on pressure-based fluid control systems intended to regulate flow through controlled air intake and vacuum formation; however, testing revealed that these systems were highly sensitive to leakage and manufacturing tolerances, resulting in failure to meet performance requirements. As a result, the design underwent a fundamental redesign, transitioning to a geometry-based volumetric chamber system that defines the dispensed volume through physical dimensions rather than pressure.

The final design incorporates an adjustable sliding chamber with discrete detent positions and a passive floating ball valve system. Prototypes were fabricated using both Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing methods and evaluated through structured testing, with results indicating that performance limitations were primarily due to manufacturing precision and surface finish rather than fundamental flaws in the design concept.

A Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA) analysis confirmed the economic feasibility of the final design, with an estimated production cost of approximately $0.63 per unit. While full validation of performance specifications was not achieved at the prototype level, the final design demonstrates strong potential for scalability, manufacturability, and commercialization, providing a foundation for future refinement and development.

Comments

Team Name: Team 20

Sponsor: Professor Bahram Nassersharif

Document Reference: URI-MCE-2026-FDR-020

Download

Share

COinS