Date of Award

2020

Degree Type

Capstone Project

Abstract

The work discussed in this paper is based around the designing, manufacturing and testing of an autonomous pool skimmer composed almost exclusively of 3D printed parts. Most pool owners would agree that cleaning their pool is among the most time-consuming activities associated with owning one. Whether it be bugs, leaves, grass, or any other number of debris, there seems to always be particulates floating along the surface, and eventually sinking to the bottom. However, with advancing technology, innovative solutions are being created to make cleaning the debris off the surface of the pool hassle-free. Team 19 was tasked to investigate such technologies and design and create an autonomous pool skimmer of their own that is capable of cleaning the surface of a fifteen hundred foot (30’ x 50’) pool on one charge. Among several other criteria, the physical components of the skimmer had to be 3D printed using PLA or ABS filament.

This report presents distinct design specifications and requirements for the project, as well as analyses, experimentations, and research performed on the skimmer. Each member of the team generated 30 unique design concepts that could be utilized for the task at hand. The designs were reviewed by different team members and were ranked based on their capability of efficiently cleaning a pool autonomously. The designs were ultimately narrowed down to four or five per team member, where a Pugh chart analysis was used to decide on one final design per group member. Through deliberation and research, one final design was agreed upon, which ended up being a hybrid of each team member’s design. Various analyses such as financial, competitive, and engineering were performed to determine how Team 19’s skimmer compared to skimmers currently on the market. The team developed this skimmer design based upon aforementioned engineering requirements that will allow for easy user control and handling. The design was produced using iterative manufacturing utilizing 3D printers as well as some adhesives, seals, and the various electrical components required. The control system, which allows both autonomous and remote controllable functionality, was designed using the Arduino software platform as well as two Arduino microcontrollers. Various tests and analyses were performed such as determining optimal paddle depth, ensuring adequate buoyancy/stability, control system testing, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis and remote control range of use. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak and malfunctioning of a 3D printer, the team was unable to produce a full working model. However, the team presents the data, testing and analyses that were gathered and performed throughout the year that guarantees a successful autonomous pool skimmer design.

Comments

Sponsor: Dr. Bahram Nassersharif

Download

Share

COinS