HOUSEHOLD WASTE
SHREDDER
2
IDENTIFICATION AND EXPLORATION OF
THE NEED
On average, an Australian family produces
enough waste each year to fill a
3-bedroom house (2.25kg per day). As part
of becoming more environmentally aware,
the Lane Cove Council, as well as various
other city councils, have reduced the
regulation size of rubbish bins in an effort
to reduce the amount of household waste
produced. As of 1 July 2018, the sizes of
available bins in Lane Cove had changed.
Each household is given two garbage bins
by the council - one for general waste
and one for recycling. If a bin needs to be
replaced or an additional bin is required,
residents must purchase an 80L general
waste bin, 40L smaller than what was
previously available. Whilst both paper and
recycling bins remain at 120L, they are
now only collected once every 2 weeks on
alternating weeks. With our bins already
being completely full, purchasing an array
of smaller bins to hold all of our rubbish is
not an effective solution.
Whilst this new system is a clear example
of the Council’s environmentally informed
perspective, it does not take in to account
the number of residents in the household.
My family, as well as many other families
in our neighbourhood, face the issue of
managing to store all of our rubbish each
week in the bins provided. As a family of
4, we have resorted to storing spare waste
underneath the house and having it taken
away as part of a triannual free rubbish
clean-up service which the council provides.
Whilst this strategy currently works, it is a
disgusting job dragging old rubbish bags full
of food scraps and mouldy cardboard from
under the house and leaving them on our
front lawn to be collected a day later.
3
Despite the Councils efforts to reduce
wastage and household consumption, there
have been no alternate solutions provided,
other than telling residents to waste less
food. Whilst the Council’s efforts have
convinced us as a family to attempt to
create less waste, the packaging on our
products continues to overflow from our bins.
Whilst not heavy or particularly large in
size, oddly shaped plastic containers occupy
large amounts of space in our bins due to
the air which they hold within them. Excess
packaging such as plastic fruit containers or
disposable food trays occupy the majority of
our precious bin space, with no easy way to
reduce their size other than attempting to
break them with a sharp pair of scissors.
There is a commercial solution to this
problem, as large businesses with large
amounts of packaging utilise waste shredders
to effectively compact their rubbish. The
shredder consists of blunt claws and uses
high amounts of torque to easily rip plastics
and even metals into shreds.
The 2018 national waste report stated
that over the past 10 years, recycling per
capita has increased by 40%. A 2015 study
conducted by the Bureau of Statistics listed
those in NSW least likely to recycle rubbish
in the country, mainly due to a lack of
available resources.
THE
SITUATION
Whilst highly effective, these machines can
be extremely dangerous as they consist of
an open top with rotating solid steel claws.
For businesses to allow employees to use
these, they require basic training and the use
of PPE in order to remain safe.
I intend to innovate upon this technology
to make it safe for the common household
to use, through creating a system which
contains both a conventional waste shredder,
as well as a safety system which allows
users to safely operate the machine. It would
also be beneficial if the process was user
friendly and did not require large amounts of
effort to use the product.
4
DESIGN BRIEF
DESIGN AND CREATE A
PROTOTYPE OF AN AFFORDABLE
HOUSEHOLD WASTE SHREDDER
WHICH CAN SAFELY BE USED IN
THE HOME.
PROJECT MOTIVATION
My motivation for this project is to use both
my CAD and physical skills in assisting me
to create my product. I believe this solution
would genuinely help myself and many other
families who have the same experiences as
me. As I am confronted with this issue on a
weekly basis, I believe my product could be
extremely successful and would be effectively
used by households around the world.
PROJECT PURPOSE
The purpose of this project is to design a
waste shredder system that is able to be
safely used in a household to reduce the
size of rubbish and recycling. Using a waste
shredder mechanism, I will attempt to create
an effective design solution that reduces the
size of bulky household waste, effectively
minimising the space occupied by rubbish.
This will make it much easier for residents
to manage their bins, as they will not need
as much storage space. If utilised throughout
an entire community, it would also streamline
local rubbish collection services, as trucks
and local dumps would fill up at slower
rates, reducing overall costs.
JUSTIFICATION OF
FINAL SELECTION
I have chosen this idea as my MDP as it is
an issue that impacts my family, and those
in my community. I believe I will be able to
passionately commit to this project as I have
a personal investment to the problem and
the solution would genuinely impact me.
The solution will also involve a range of
technologies that I am not familiar with,
proving to be a challenging experience where
I will have to learn how to use a number
of new technologies. Whilst I have used
3D printing before, this project will greatly
extend my knowledge, as there are a number
of factors effecting the design that must
be considered. There are also a number
of mechanical elements involved, which is
something that greatly interests me; however,
I have never been able to experiment
with this. This will hopefully increase my
knowledge in areas of interest as well as my
overall knowledge of the design process. I
intend to create a number of 3D drawings
on online programs, as I really enjoy this as
a creative process.. The size and complexity
of the product will also allow me to easily
work on it both at home and at school.
The version of the product I will be making
will be a working prototype. Whilst the
designed solution will be safe enough to use
as a final product, producing and testing
with the steel blades could be too dangerous
during the production process. For that
reason, I plan to substitute these heavyduty materials with lighter materials that can
effectively represent how the steel grinders
would work.
My MDP is an innovation on a previously
existing shredder. Whilst I can replicate the
shredder, to design a brand-new shredding
system would be very difficult. My innovation
allows me to make any productive changes
to the already existing shredder, whilst also
implementing a safety system that allows it
to be safely used within households.
5
TARGET MARKET
The target market for this project would
be any residents who need to reduce the
size of their household rubbish. As it will be
designed to be safely used by anybody, it
would be marketed towards all individuals
who need to compact their rubbish. The
product will not require any training to
operate and therefore must be safely
operable by anybody. The product must also
be affordable, making it available to most
households.
PROJECT SCOPE
My product is being initially designed for
residential use. This allows me to focus on
the factors affecting design that specifically
relate to this target market. Through this I
can ensure that I develop the most effective
solution for household use.
However, this mechanism and design can
be further innovated on, allowing it to reach
larger markets such as schools, businesses
and hospitals. Whilst a product designed for
these industries would have slightly different
design factors, the principal mechanism of the
product would remain the same, allowing my
design to be altered to also suit the needs
of these target markets. For example, whilst
functional factors would still be of the utmost
importance, factors such as weight and cost
would be less important for hospitals, whilst
safety and operability would be imperative
within schools. Therefore, the concept of my
MDP has the potential to reach a much larger
scope and full-fill the needs of numerous
larger target markets.
6
LIMITING PARAMETERS
For my MDP, there are a number of restrictions
and limitations that I am required to conform
with. To be considered successful, my design
must adhere to the following guidelines;
RESTRICTIONS
Time
The time restriction is very important. I must
effectively organise and manage my time to
finish this project on schedule.
Budget
The budget restriction on this project is
very strict as I cannot run out of money to
complete the project. I must ensure I conduct
proper experimentation to ensure that I do not
waste money. If I were to run out of money it
would be very hard to continue, therefore the
budget restriction is very important.
Safety
Safety is of the utmost importance with this
product. Not only must I create a safe to use
product, but I must also remain safe whilst
doing so. If my MDP is not safe to use or
operate than I cannot continue. It is imperative
that the product is safe to use for both myself
and the customer.
LIMITATIONS
Weight
Whilst not a restriction, I must ensure the
product does not weigh too much. If the
shredder is too bulky and heavy, it will
be very difficult to use and manoeuvre.
Therefore, I have created a limitation for the
bin to not be too heavy to easily move.
Noise
The bin must also not be too loud. As
its function involves shredding plastics
and thin metals, it could be very loud
and consequently disruptive to the home.
Therefore, I have created a limitation to
ensure that my design does not disrupt the
household.
7
NEEDS ANALYSIS/
PRELIMINARY RESEARCH
Preliminary research was conducted to gain a better understanding regarding the needs and
desires of the target market. Through the collection of primary data from a survey of my target
market, I will be able to get a better identify the aspects that ensure my product’s success. I
will use this initial research to guide the direction of my project.
IS RECYCLING MANAGEMENT A
PROBLEM IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD?
30
DO YOU HAVE A POWER OUTLET
NEAR YOUR BIN?
4
0
26
YES
Yes
NO
WOULD THIS PRODUCT BE
USEFUL IN YOUR KITCHEN?
No
WHAT WOULD BE A SUITABLE
PRICE FOR THIS PRODUCT?
10
15
0%
1
4
100%
Yes
No
$50-100
$200-300
$300-500
WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT?
Aesthetics
10%
5
25
WOULD YOU FEEL SAFE USING A
SHREDDER IN YOUR KITCHEN?
$100-200
YES
EVALUATION
Function
90%
NO
Through gaining this valuable data about my target market, it has given me a great
frame of reference regarding the requirements and expectations of my audience. I know
that this is a valuable product that would have a meaningful impact, and my suggested
design solution would be mostly acceptable. I also have been provided with a valuable
range for the production cost for my product to be marketable. This newfound data now
gives me the ability to make further decisions affecting my design based on the desires
of my market.
8
AREAS OF
HOW
I will investigate current
available solutions
of compacting waste
and recycling to gain
inspiration from other
existing designs, as well
as gather a greater
understanding of my
target market and
their interests. This will
ensure that a unique
and effective product is
developed.
I will study existing designs
through conducting internet
and book research. I can
conduct surveys within
the target market on the
need, as well as conducting
research on previous
successful MDP through
discussion with my teacher
allowing me to make an
informed decision on my
project.
FUNCTION
WHAT
The function of the product
can be researched through:
The function is the
• Prototyping
purpose of the product;
• Models
to minimise the size
• Sketches
occupied by household
• Studying existing designs
rubbish. As this is it’s
• Talking to professionals
sole function, it would be
experimentation
obsolete and rendered
I will also conduct surveys
useless if it could not
to determine the desired
complete its purpose.
function from the target
market.
EXPERIMENTATION
CURRENT AVAILABLE
SOLUTIONS
INVESTIGATION
To determine the best
I will conduct my own
product, I must experiment
experimentation to determine
with different solutions
what methods and designs
to determine the most
work best. I can also
effective and safe
research the experimentation
solution. To ensure that
of other online and in books,
the product is safe to
as well as listen to the past
use it must be thoroughly
experiences of my teachers.
tested to prevent any
injuries to the consumer.
SUCCESS/FAILURE
TO MDP
Studying existing designs
will greatly increase
my designs chance for
success, as I can learn
what has worked well in
past designs. They allow
me to draw inspiration
and make a more
informed decision, whilst
also making sure my
idea is original.
If I can determine
how the product can
work properly through
research, my final
product will be much
more likely to function
as specified. If the
function of the product
is not achieved then the
MDP will be considered
a failure.
Experimentation is
the best method to
determine which designs
are the best as I can
gather first-hand data.
Without experimentation,
there is no design
process as the final
product would also be
the first test, most likely
resulting in it not being
the best solution.
PROCESSES
I will investigate the processes
involved in creating both the
prototype model as well as the
final design. The processes and
the tools involved must be safe
and available to me, allowing me
to accurately create a physical
model of my design.
AESTHETICS
Whilst the aesthetics are not
as important, the product must
still be pleasant to look at.
Researching aesthetics will allow
me to make deliberate choices
as to how the design will sit in
the environment. The project must
maintain a streamlined design with
a professional finish.
MATERIALS
9
As the product that I am creating
will be a prototype of the final
design, I must research short-term
materials that will function as a
prototype, as well as possible
materials that could be used within
a final fabricated design. The
materials will define many traits
of the product, including strength,
durability and weight. Materials
must be tested in order to
determine which are most suitable.
I will test tools
and experiment
with available
processes. I can
also research
tools that
are available
externally, where
I could outsource
those more
difficult elements
of the project.
Aesthetics can
be investigated
through studying
existing designs,
experimenting
with mood boards
and researching
current market
trends.
I can gather
information on
materials through
physical testing
as well as online
research and
discussing with
my teachers
and other
professionals.
The process of production is very
important as I must determine
how my product will be created
and if it is possible. The chosen
processes must allow for both a
functional and aesthetic design
to be produced. For this to be
achieved, the correct tools and
processes must be chosen to
achieve a high-quality finish.
The aesthetics of the product
will influence consumer reactions,
inviting customers to purchase it.
Whilst it could function perfectly,
I must also consider elements
of aesthetics for the product for
it to be considered successful.
The design should look like a
professional functional product.
Testing and researching different
materials will allow me to make
an informed decision on the most
suitable material, increasing the
overall chance of success for the
end product. The research will
help me decide what materials
are best to create the grinder, as
well as which materials are able
to be put through the machine,
allowing the product to conform
with council regulations.
Maintenance
Council
Regulations
Ergonomics
Recycling
Noise
Usability
Safety
Gear Ratios
Shredder
Function
Torque
Experimentation
Areas of
Investigation
Materials
Metals
Processes
3D Printing
Plastic
Tools
Aesthetics
Durablility
Recyclable
Colour
Shape
Streamlined
Vacuum
Forming
Manufacturing
11
CRITERIA TO EVALUATE
SUCCESS
RANKING SYSTEM
To help define the importance of certain
criteria I have created a ranking system.
CRITICAL - This is an extremely important
element to the design and is crucial for its
proper function. This aspect of the design is of
the utmost importance.
MODERATE - Whilst these criterion are not critical
to the design, the functionality would of the
product would be considerably affected. They
are of medium importance and should be
considered to the best of my ability.
LOW
- These elements are not necessary to
the function of the product are mostly for
aesthetics. The product will still be able to
meet the design brief if these criterion are not
satisfied.
EVALUATION THROUGH PRIMARY TESTING
DURABILITY/QUALITY
The design must be constructed in a manner
where it can withstand constant and effective
use throughout its lifetime. The use of highquality and durable materials is imperative
to the continuous function of the product.
The body and shaft must remain rigid and
solid to maintain optimal rotation patterns.
The electronic components must also be
durable, able to withstand long-term use
without wearing down connections. Similarly,
the design must maintain its water-resistant
capabilities to compartmentalise the electronic
components away from the shredding bay.
The durability of the product will have an
immense v on its function, as poor durability
puts the user at immense risk. This could
possibly include malfunction of the safety
system, electronics or shredding shaft which
would all provide great harm to the user.
12
EVALUATION THROUGH PRIMARY TESTING
EVALUATION THROUGH PRIMARY TESTING
Safety must be considered in both
production and use of the product. It must
be produced to not only be safe to use in
a household, but to also be safe to use
throughout the entire production process.
Construction techniques, tools used, and
manufacturing process must all be managed
in a safe manner to prevent the threat of
harm to myself or any other users. Similarly,
the design of the product must consider the
safety of the user in great depth to ensure
no harm will come to them throughout use
of the product.
The product must be operable without
having a major impact on the surrounding
environment. This includes minimising the
noise produced, as well as the space which it
occupies. The final product must be designed
to minimise how disruptive it is, as the
appliance should be a seamless element of
any kitchen
SAFETY
If the design is not safe to use, it would
be rejected by the target market as nobody
would want to use an unsafe machine
in their home. Similarly, if the electronics
short out the product would be considered
unreliable and may become hazardous.
EVALUATION THROUGH PRIMARY TESTING
USABILITY
The usability of the product must be
considered within its conception to enable
for its effective and seamless operation.
Simple but effective procedures must be
utilised to allow for intuitive operation.
Effective decisions regarding the choice of
components and construction processes must
be made to ensure a positive and intuitive
user experience.
Without proper consideration of usability,
the product would be irritating to operate
and not best suit the needs of the target
market. If the design was uncomfortable or
difficult to use, it would become obsolete as
customers would choose alternate methods
of minimising their waste.
IMPACT ON SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT
If the product were to be a nuisance within
the household, the consumer would create
a negative association with the product,
resulting in its possible rejection due to it
being too loud or big to fit within the kitchen
environment.
EVALUATION THROUGH PRIMARY TESTING
AESTHETICS
The aesthetics of the project should look
visually appealing to increase its commercial
success. The product must be designed to
comply with modern trends and blend in with
a range of kitchen designs. Considerations
must be made to ensure it is visual appealing
to the consumer, whilst also not standing out
too much.
If the product is not aesthetically pleasing,
it is likely to be rejected by the target
market, regardless of how well it functions. As
consumers would not want an ugly looking
product in their kitchen, the design must at
least meet minimum standards to blend in with
its environment.
13
EVALUATION THROUGH PRIMARY TESTING
COLOUR
The choice of colour for the bin contributes
greatly to its aesthetics. Pleasing colours that
match the aesthetic of the household will allow
the bin to blend in with other kitchen products,
increasing its chance for acceptance within the
household. The bin must not be a distracting
shade, as it is not intended to be a statement
piece, but rather match the colours of other
surrounding appliances.
If the colours were not chosen to suit the
desired appearance, the product could easily
be rejected on the sole basis of appearance. It
is important that it blends into its environment
to not take away from its functional priority.
EVALUATION THROUGH PRIMARY TESTING
SHAPE
The shape of the product is also extremely
important to its aesthetic appearance. An
appealing and modern shape will increase the
likelihood of the product’s market acceptance.
Not only must the shape of the product be
visually appealing, but the product must also
be designed to sit well within the kitchen
environment. This includes the centre of
gravity, as well as width and height of the bin.
Shape is also important to the function of the
product, as it must be able to house all of
the required components without compromising
function.
A poorly designed shape would not effectively
use its internal space to house components
whilst also not being visually appealing to the
target market.
EVALUATION THROUGH ON TIME COMPLETION
TIME
The project, folio and video should be finished
within the time restrictions. This is critical as
the project cannot be worked on after this
date
If the product is not finished in the allocated
timeframe, it cannot be further worked on and
will therefore be incomplete. This would most
likely mean it cannot function safely and to its
optimal efficiency.
EVALUATION THROUGH ANALYSING COST PLAN
COST
The project should be completed within the
given budget; whilst I will aim to remain within
my provided budget of $1000, it is more
important that the final cost of my finished
product is within an acceptable range for the
target market. Whilst I can exceed my budget
through experimentation and testing, the final
product must be at a marketable price.
If the final product is too expensive for the
target market, my design solution could
be rejected as its function is not worth its
excessive cost.
CONCEPT PHASE RESEARCH PHASE
EXPERIMENTATION AND
PROTOTYPING PHASE
Card
board
3D
Printers
and
Filament
Fusion
360
Stationary
Sketch
Book
Adobe
Suite
Microsoft
Office
Internet
Laptop
ITEM
RESEARCH
Cardboard and 3D printing
were used to visualise my
prototypes and evaluate my
design.
A sketch book and pencils
are used to document my
developing ideas with initial
sketches. Fusion360 also
allows me to experiment
with primitive 3D models and
concepts.
The cost of these
materials is covered
by my school.
My Design and
Technology class
is provided with
pens, pencils and
sketchbooks for
our drawings.
Similarly, Fusion360
is provided free to
students.
The preliminary stages of the My Laptop, access
MDP require research and
to the internet,
ongoing documentation within Microsoft Office and
my folio. Secondary research Adobe Suite are all
was conducted on my laptop provided to me by
and recorded into my folio
my school, resulting
on Microsoft word and Adobe
in no additional
InDesign.
charge for my MDP.
WHY
10
Sheets
1x 3D
printer
//
20
1
//
//
//
1
$30
$2500
$600
$20
$5
$1,200
15
3
//
10
1
//
//
//
$50/
month
$100
1
$2,000
All of these items
are provided to me
by my school free
of charge.
These costs are
covered by my
school fees and
are therefore at no
additional cost for
the duration of my
project.
VARIATION
FINANCE PLAN
All of these
materials were
provided by my
school at no
additional
cost. I
$0
used multiple 3D
printers as there
were 3 available and
printing components
at the same time
would reduce my
production time.
I required more
carboard as I
$0
underestimated how
many sheets my
prototype would
take.
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
$0
EST. # EST. $ # $
14
PRODUCTION PHASE
Soldering
Iron and
Solder
Panel
Saw
Acrylic
Power
Supply
Micro
Switch
Rocker
Switch
Wires
Motor
Bin
The production
phase of my
project involved
me purchasing
and assembling
the components
to produce
my working
prototype.
A soldering kit is required to
assemble my DC circuit.
Acrylic and the Panel saw are
needed to assemble all the
components together and cut
the bin to shape.
A power supply must be
imported from China to handle
the specifications of the motor.
These components were all
purchased from Jay Car to be
used as part of my DC circuit.
I require a very specific
DC motor with the correct
specifications that must be
ordered from China.
The bins were purchased from
Ikea to reduce production cost
and ensure a solid foundation
for my design.
1
$20
$1000
$100
5
square
1
$75
$5
1
1
$8
$30
2
metres
1
$233
$45
1
1 set
1
1
5
1
2
2
2
1
2
$0
$0
$50
$60
$10
$33
$30
Equiptment was already
available at my school
Some crylic was
provided to me free of
charge by my school.
The Wholesaler agreed
to ship the product
for free to beat the
upcoming implications of
COVID-19.
I found that a number
of the components
were not suitable
for my circuit due
to inadequate
specifications, requiring
me to re-purchase more
expensive alternatives.
The Chinese Wholesaler
gave me a discount and
$150
included the motor shaft
free of charge.
$90
I had to buy 2 sets
of bins to use one for
experimentation and one
for the final product.
15
16
SUMMARY OF COSTS
EST.$
ACTUAL $
The large discrepantcy between estimated
and actual costs was expected, and is due to
the resources provided to me by the school.
Software such as Fusion360, AutoCAD and
Microsoft Office are provided to all students
free of charge, allowing me to use this
advanced software to its full extent without
worrying about excessive fees. Furthermore my laptop, as well as Microsoft Office and Adobe
Suite are also provided to all students at my school, preventing me from purchasing them for
my MDP. Smaller items such as a sketch book and pens, pencils and cardboard are provided by
my Design teachers as part of our class, allowing me to keep my costs in the research, concept
and experimentation phases to a minimum.
$8021
$423
My costs in the production phase were well underneath my given budget of $1000 for my MDP.
I was required to buy 2 sets of bins in order to use one set for experimentation and the other
for my polished final product.
The cost of my motor was less than what I had expected, as the saleswoman gave me a
discount for being a school student.
I had to buy 2 sets of switches as the first set which I had bought were not rated to a high
enough amperage for my circuit. This required me to buy a 2nd set of more expensive switches.
The power supply cost less than expected as the comapny gave me free shipping due to
COVID-19, as their normal shipping company was not operating.
Due to COVID-19, my school stopped receiving acrylic shipments. As they did not have the
colour I wanted, I bought half of the sheets from an alternate supplier. This did cost more
money but was necessary for me to continue my project.
EVALUATION
The actual cost of my project was well inside of the $1000 budget which I had set for
my MDP. I also worked well to negotiate prices down and search for cheaper items to
further minimise my costs. I also tryed to re-use as much material as possible, being
conservative with my use of ABS and acrylic sheets. I also tried to use most of the
resources already avaliable to me at my school, which prevented me from having to buy
additional tools or materials.
17
18
TIME PLAN
ACTION
-TERM 4, 2019
OUTLINE
PROJECT PROPOSAL AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT
IDENTIFICATION AND EXPLORATION OF
THE NEED
• Create design brief
• Research and justify the need
• Determine parameters and restricions of the MDP
• Justify the final selection of the MDP
AREAS OF INVESTIGATION
• Define the areas that require investigation
• Determine suitable methods of investigation
• Analyse the impact of the criteria on the
success of the MDP
CRITERIA TO EVALUATE SUCCESS
• Identify and evaluate the importance of
functional and aesthetic criteria to the success of
the design
ACTION, TIME AND FINANCE PLANS
• Create a plan to guide my progress throughout
the year
• Create a budget by estimating costs
• Consistently monitor each plan to ensure I
remain on track
19
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND REALISATION
EVIDENCE OF CREATIVITY
• Research existing successful designs to influence my
own ideas
• Brainstorm using evolutionary sketches, developing
from rough sketches to dimensioned drawings
• Begin prototyping 3D designs on fusion360
RESEARCH AND EXPERIMENTATION
• Conduct initial into various elements of the product
to determine viable solutions
• Research existing shredding mechanisms, DC circuits
and production methods
PROJECT EVALUATION
ONGOING EVALUATION
SUMMARY
• Cobduct ongoing evalutation, continually checking
the MDP against the Criteria to Evaluate Success
The majority of this term was spent planning my project. I worked sequentially through
the sections of the folio, and only experienced minor disruptions due to exams for other
subjects. My goal was to have all of these sections almost complete in order to start
practical work the next term.
20
TIME PLAN
ACTION
-TERM 1, 2020
OUTLINE
PROJECT PROPOSAL AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT
AREAS OF INVESTIGATION
• Alter Areas of Investigation based on discoveries
found within ongoing research
CRITERIA TO EVALUATE SUCCESS
• Alter the list of criteria based on issued
discovered within research
SUMMARY
The implementation of distanced education due to COVID-19 caused a large
disruption to my schedule, as I was no longer able to complete practical work and
was struggling to make time for folio work during the week. Instead I spent the
holiday time working on my research and experimentation, as well as evaluating my
design and checking the work I had completed related properly to my Crite`ria to
Evaluate Success.
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COVID-19
Distanced Learning
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND REALISATION
EVIDENCE OF CREATIVITY
CONSIDERATION OF DESIGN FACTORS
RESEARCH AND EXPERIMENTATION
APPLICATION OF PRACTICAL SKILLS
• Further develop 3D models
• Determine my MDP’s degree of difference
• Identify and apply the design factors to best
meet the criteria to evaluate success
• Research suitable electronic components for my
circuit
• Determine the most suitable production
method, research the related materials, tools and
techniques
• Learn how to solder
• Learn how to use 3D printers and create strong
3D models
• Begin 3D printing all of the components
22
TIME PLAN
-TERM 2, 2020
ACTION
OUTLINE
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND REALISATION
RESEARCH AND EXPERIMENTATION
• Completing final stages of experimentation
APPLICATION OF PRACTICAL SKILLS
• Continue 3D printing
• Laser Cut main structure
IDENTIFICATION AND JUSTIFICATION OF
IDEAS AND RESOURCES
• Account for and list chosen ideas and materials
into folio
PROJECT EVALUATION
FINAL EVALUATION
• Conduct Ongoing evaluation on folio sections
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SUMMARY
The majority of time this term was spent working on my practical work whilst also
refining sections of my folio. I made great progress on my projects production,
finishing most of the individual elements. I also effectively managed my time and kept
on track with all of my folio.
24
TIME PLAN
SUMMARY
-TERM 3, 2020
The final term of my MDP was spent finishing off the final sections of my project. As
I had already planned my project well and completed everything on time, I only had
a few smaller elements which needed to be completed this term. I also spent time in
class writing the evaluation section for my folio. As I was so well prepared I was able
to spend the last week finalising my folio before submission.
25
26
26
IDEA GENERATION
INITIAL DRAWINGS
This is a collection of my initial rough drawings. The intent of these was to create a wide range of
rough designs that would allow me to establish my ideas for both the product as a whole, as well
as smaller, individual elements of the product. I have included annotations within these drawings
to highlight important design features of each sketch, as well as to relate important factors of my
criteria to evaluate success, and how they must be considered in certain elements.
From the drawings above, I like the minimalist designs of the bin as opposed to a more
industrial aesthetic, as I feel it would be better received by my target market. I must also
ensure that I am able to organise all of the internal components effectively, allowing for
optimal space. I think a lid design with a larger area is important, as it would ensure that I
can fit larger objects into the bin in one piece. From these drawings, the factors that continue
to appear are mainly regarding functional elements such as noise, weight, efficiency and
ergonomics. I believe the functional factors will require the most consideration to ensure I find
the right balance for my product.
27
This is a further developed drawing of what I want my bin to look like. These
drawings focused on the overall shape of the bin, as well as its operation
and how it interacts with the user. I was experimenting with different ways
in which I could implement a safety mechanism as well as a shredding
mechanism.
I experimented here with basic circuit
designs. Whilst I had no knowledge of circuit
diagrams, I still attempted to develop a way
in which I could create a safe mechanism. I
will have to conduct extensive research into
circuits to make it usable.
28
Here I created more
initial sketches of
specific elements of the
bin. I am experimenting
with potential ideas for
both functional and
aesthetic elements of
the design. These are
only initial concepts
and I have to conduct
research to determine if
they are feasable.
Here are further initial
designs considering
shape as well as
portability and posible
location of the product. I
will use these, as well as
the previous sketches to
create more detailed and
specific sketches of the
entirety of the bin.
29
FURTHER DESIGNS
Here I designed more specific elements of the shredder. As I knew the
general shape and size of the bin, I worked on refining certain elements
of the mechanism to determine which would function best based on my
previous initial designs.
Here I compiled all of my favourite design
solutions into my first full drawing. This
combined both elements of the safety and
shredding mechanism, realising the bin as its
first prototype.
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FINAL DESIGN
ELECTRONIC SAFETY
LID
VERTICAL
MOTOR
FALSE
BASE
MODULAR DESIGN
This final sketch is a further evolution of the previous sketches, tweaking a number of elements
to better suit various factors affecting design. The aesthetics of this version are greatly
improved, without impacting the function of the product. It maintains its safe lid design whilst
further incorporating ergonomic elements to improve usability. The bin has quite a professional
aesthetic, which was my goal to allow it to blend in with a modern kitchen and better suit the
target market. Whilst it looks nice, the aesthetics do not impede on the function of the product.
I have decided to use the 2 bin design as it allows me to best utilise the space within the bin.
Similarly, a section has been added to the back of the bin to better fit the motor. This not
only gives support to hold the motor, but also increases the storage capacity of the bin.
CAD DRAWINGS
In order for me to realise my design properly, I decided to continue my idea generation using
Fusion 360. This would allow me to visualise my MDP in 3 dimensions whilst also creating prototypes which can be 3D printed later.
First model of the shredding mechanism
• Considering only aesthetic criteria
• Sleek, modern design
• How will this be manufactured?
• How will it connect to the bin?
• Where will the motor go?
• How do you implement a safety mechanism
31
MOTOR
IKEA BIN
BLADE
SHAFT
BUILT SHAFT
MOTOR DIMENSIONS
Reference Models
To ensure my design would be compatible with
pre-built components, I accurately measured and
created these components in Fusion360, allowing
me to model my design around the elements
which I could not change.
Shaft Design
• Hexagonal shaft to prevent slipage
• Circular ends to allow rotation in ball-bearings
• 3-sided blade to allow for optimal attachment
angle and best grip to shred
• Alternating positions of blades to ensure
object is shredded
• Spacers between blades to allow them to slot
between eachother
BLADE DRAWINGS
Gear
• Hexagonal shaft to prevent slipage
• Circular ends to allow rotation in ball-bearings
• 3-sided blade to allow for optimal attachment
angle and best grip to shred
• Alternating positions of blades to ensure
object is shredded
• Spacers between blades to allow them to slot
between eachother
FUSION GEAR
32
3D DRAWINGS
DIMENSIONED DRAWINGS
Final Model
After experimenting with each individual component of the bin, I created a final design
which incorperated all of the neccessary elements. This design had to not only fit ontop
of the specified bin but also fit the purchased motor inside of it. It features custom made
gears which rotate at the desired ratio as well as an alternating shredding blade allignment,
allowing for optimal use of space and shredding efficienct. The shredder is optimally design
to save space, whilst also leaving enough room for the electircal and mechanical components
required to make it work. The desire mirrors the original desired aesthetic, whilst also making
neccessary changes to produce a functional product.
RENDERED DESIGN
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Problems with CAD
Designing the main structure of the bin was the most challenging component of the MDP.
As I did not want to produce by own bin base, I would have to create my model to be
compatible with a purchased bin, fitting precisely to the milimetre. Furthermore, the main
structre had to be design to incorperate all of the elements required for the shredding and
safety mechanism. After determining which components I would purchase for my safety and
shredding mechanisms, I had to make design modifications to allow them to fit into the
design. This included: changing the shaft diameter to fit specific ball-bearings, creating a large
area for the motor to comfortable rest within, and allowing enough room for the switches
to be installed. Additionally to these components, I had to also design the main structure to
fit all of the other 3D printed elements. This involved hours of slightly changing dimensions
of both the main structre as well as the shaft length, blade angles, number of spurs within
gears, blade and spacer alignment, bearing positioning, motor clearance and switch placement,
allowing all of my neccessary components to fit within the confined space. Whilst all of these
elements could have easily fit in a larger area, it was imperative that my design meets it’s
criteria of usability and shape without compramising on safety or function.
WORKING FUSION DOCUMENT
EVALUATION
Whilst my method produced an effective final product, I could have changed
my Design Process slightly to be more effeceint. It would have better for me to
experiment more with cardboard and tangible materials before moving into Fusion, as
making these takes much less time. I also could have used different methods within
Fusion to create better model. However whilst I know how to make more effective
models now, I did not when I began using the software at the start of my MDP.
Experimentation within the program has led to me being able to better manipulate
the 3D space and progress my skills.
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EXISTING DESIGNS
THE INSINKERATOR
The InSinkErator is a commonly used kitchen appliance that
is installed into the base of the kitchen sink. Whilst water is
running, users can cram food scraps into the sink, which are
ground up and washed down the pipe in miniscule chinks. Due
to its unique design, it is completely safe to use as it does not
feature any sharp or dangerous parts. The shredder effectively
removes the need to place food scraps into general waste bins.
PLUS
•Completely eradicates
waste down the drain
•Features a very safe
mechanism
•The product is relatively
quiet whilst being operated
•The design is integrated
into the sink
MINUS
INTERESTING
•Only able to shred food scraps
•Requires professional installation
into the kitchen bench
•The product is very expensive
•The food smells when caught in
the system
PLUS
•Utilises solar power to
compress rubbish
•The design has smart
capabilities alerting
councils when it is full
•Very effectively
compresses rubbish
PLUS
•Is easily able to
compact all waste
products
•Has a very large
integrated storage
space
•Has an intelligent
safety system
•The mechanism does not
feature any blades and
therefore cannot hurt you
•The food scraps are sent
down an external chute
MINUS
INTERESTING
•The product could
•The product is
easily be scaled
quite large
down to a smaller
•It requires
size
sufficient sunlight to •The product has
operate
a smart feeding
system
MINUS
INTERESTING
•The product is
very bulky and not
suitable for a home
•It is too big for
residential use
•This product
has an extremely
industrial aesthetic
•The waste
products are
only crushed, not
shredded
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TITAN
The Titan Trash Compactor by Joseph Joseph is a highly effective
waste management solution design for use within the home. Its
design allows users to place rubbish normally into the bin, and
periodically compress its contents using its uniquely designed
system. The product is very easy to use and is moderately
effective at compacting household rubbish. Whilst capable of
compressing food scraps and soft rubbish, the bin is ineffective
against solid objects due to the nature of its manual mechanism.
PLUS
•Easily fits within the home
•This product is portable
and has great usability
•Effectively compacts
household waste
MINUS
INTERESTING
•This product is very expensive
•Sharp plastics have the
potential to rip the rubbish bag
when being compacted
•It is not capable of
compressing harder object (Solid
Plastics, Metals)
PLUS
•The design is
relatively small
•The shredding
mechanism is very
effective for its size
•The engine is
relatively quiet
PLUS
•Extremely effective
large-scale shredding
•Has extremely high
volume of intake
•The design incorporates an
air filter to reduce the smell
of rubbish
•Does not require power
MINUS
•No safety system
is present, and is
therefore extremely
dangerous
•No inbuilt waste
storage system
MINUS
•The product
requires training to
operate
•It is extremely loud
and very large
•Has no safety
mechanism
INTERESTING
•The jaws have the
ability to rotate in
both directions
INTERESTING
•Is only intended
for industrial use
•Has an industrial
aesthetic
SUMMARY
After researching existing designs, I can see that a lot of the industrial, larger products
are much more effective in terms of compression. I believe these would also be capable of
being scaled down to a size suitable for residential use. I would like my product to have
a professional finish, similar to the ‘Titan’, as I believe that aesthetic is most suitable for
the environment it sits in, as opposed to the bulking industrial designs. The shredding jaws
are by far the most effective design for the shredder, and I believe I will try to incorporate
these in my design. I really like the idea of the energy coming from solar power, as it would
make the product self-sufficient. However, this would require the bin to live outside and have
adequate sunlight throughout the day, which may not be possible for all households.
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DEGREE OF
DIFFERENCE
The main difference between my design and other existing designs is that its highest
priority is to ensure the user remains safe whilst the product operates.
Most available products are
industrial machines that are used
for large scale operations, and are
not designed for household use.
Research shows me there are no
previously existing designs like mine
that are able to minimise wastage
size on a small scale that can easily
be used in your home.
Larger shredding machines require
training to be safely operated.
My purposefully designed safety
system allows for simple and riskfree operation that does not require
any training.
Most existing residential designs
are only able to de-construct food
scraps.
Whilst the design of the jaws is
capable of effectively shredding
almost all types of household
waste, the safety system makes it
acceptable for residential use.
•Residential Waste Management
Systems must often be installed
into the kitchen and therefore can
become very costly.
My shredder system will not require
permanent installation, effectively
reducing costs compared to other
designs.
Traditional practices of crushing by
hand are slow and ineffective.
Waste destruction is currently the
responsibility of councils, leaving
homeowners disempowered.
The product is designed to
effectively shred rubbish at a much
faster rate than compared to cutting
and crushing by hand.
My solution allows residents to
desconstruct waste independently,
giving them control over their
recycling.
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CONSIDERATION OF
DESIGN FACTORS
FUNCTION
Function is the most important element of my MDP; my product
must function properly for it to fulfil its intended need. The
shredder must be able to effectively deconstruct waste in
order for it to function properly. As this is the only purpose
of the product, it is vital to the success. The prototype should
represent the function of a final product, and therefore must
function as a representation of the final product.
AESTHETICS
In relation to my design, aesthetics are not very important
as customers do not normally buy rubbish bins due to their
aesthetic qualities. The aesthetics also do not have any effect
of the function of my design. I will, however, need to consider
aesthetics in such a way as it blends in with other elements
of the kitchen. The overall design should conform to the
design principals of other kitchen appliances to allow it to sit
comfortably in a kitchen environment.
COST
In terms of cost, I must ensure my product remains within a
marketable range. As my product is a prototype, I must consider
both the cost of the prototype, as well as the cost of a final
product. Therefore, as my product must remain affordable to
my target market, cost of the final product is quite important.
The cost should be kept low to entice potential customers to
purchase the product. The final cost will be most influenced by
the choice of electrical components, as I must find a balance
between cost and quality. Similarly, when sourcing components
from overseas I must consider the implications of international
shipping.
ERGONOMICS
The product must be easy to use-it must be the preferred The
product must be easy to use-it must be the preferred solution
over cutting plastic by hand. Therefore, to encourage users
to utilises the product, it must be extremely easy to use. This
would include both placing rubbish in the shredder, as well as
removing the plastic after it has been shredded. The product
must be an appropriate height and shape to allow it to be easily
used. Similarly, the placement and design of the switches must
be considered to allow for purposeful operation to be easy,
whilst maintaining its safety elements.
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3838
HEALTH & SAFETY
The safety of the product should be considered as highly as the
function of the product. The designed solution has to be safe for
people to use, without worrying about injuring themselves. For this
reason, I believe the design of the safety system is just as important
as the effectiveness of the shredder. The user should remain safe
throughout the entire life cycle of the product, and damage to the
product must not affect its safety.
DURABILITY
As the product will be constantly crushing and tearing other materials,
it must be very durable to ensure its continual use throughout its life
cycle. It must be durable to ensure it is safe to use for an extended
period of time. The overall design must be sturdy and tight, capable of
withstanding strong forces over long periods of time. The electronics
must also be tough and designed to withstand heat and high energy
flow.
APPROPRIATENESS
The bin must be extremely easy to use, as people do not want to
spend too much time thinking about their rubbish. The operation of the
bin should be seamless and not draw excessive attention to itself. The
product also suits the needs of the target market, presenting a unique
solution to a real problem.
LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS
Whilst not extremely important to the success of my project, it is
ethical to consider the implications of my product on the environment
throughout its life cycle. The majority of the components will be made
out of 3D printed plastic, which at the end of the products life, can
be melted down and reused for other 3D printing projects, effectively
creating zero waste. Similarly, prototype models can be deconstructed
in this way to save on cost and reduce the environmental impact of
my design process. The product does require a 240V power supply to
operate and cannot function without the use of electricity. Once at the
end of its life, the motor used for the shredder can easily be reused
for another purpose if maintained properly. Whilst the motor is initially
expensive, it saves on long term costs and has the capacity to last for
over 20 years.
SUMMARY
In conjunction with my PMI, the exploration of the required design
factors has clearly outlined what I must consider ensuring I produce a
successful design. Whilst not all of these factors are vital to the success
of my design, they all have influence on my final product. I believe the
appropriateness of my design is quite high in relation to the problem
being solved. I believe the most emphasis should be placed on the
functional factors, such as function, ergonomics and durability, as the
product must function in order for it to work. Similarly, safety is of the
utmost importance, and should be considered with every decision, as
the proper function of the product also relies on it being safe.
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40
RESEARCH
Identifies where a problem/issue has been
realised and requires a solution
EXPERIMENTATION
Identifies a potentially suitable material,
process or technique that could be used
TESTING
Identifies where a selection of a material,
process or technique has been made
SHREDDING MECHANISM
SOURCE
DESCRIPTION
FINDINGS
QUORA FORUM
A question forum
discussing the
difference and
effectiveness
of shredding
and crushing
mechanisms
A shredding mechanism is better at dismantling
plastic products and creates a resulting
product that is easier to be recycled. Not only
does shredding rip components into evenly
sized smaller pieces, but it also is much more
time efficient. There is also a possibility that
when an object is crushed, it can later expand
itself and waste more space.
A plastic recycling
company that
specialises in
designing DIY
machines to
improve household
recycling
capabilities.
Their website gave me a great amount of
detail regarding the function of a waste
shredder. The mechanism that they use is a
standardised design that is commonly used
throughout the shredding industry and is
extremely effective at breaking down a variety
of dense materials. This standardised design
relies heavily on extreme amounts of torque to
pull objects through the shredder.
RECYCLING ORGANISATION
Precious Plastic
Website
PRECIOUS PLASTIC WEBSITE
DAVE HAKKENS
41
DAVE HAKKENS
CEO, Precious Plastic
Dave Hakkens is
CEO and founder
of ‘Precious Plastic’
and advised me
on a number of
decisions regarding
my shredder.
They have opted for a 3 Horsepower triphasic
motor for their shredder, which was recycled from
an old farming machine. Whilst extremely powerful,
offering up to 100Nm of torque, their motor was
both too large and too noisy for household use.
As part of his company, Dave had conducted
large amounts of research on the specifications
required for the motor to function properly. He
informed me of various elements he was only
able to discover through his own trial and error,
including; the most efficient speed of the shaft is
50 rpm, the machine requires 25Nm to shred all
general household waste elements, and the motor
heats up very quickly. He also informed me that
it would be necessary for the motor to spin both
clockwise, and anticlockwise in order to remove a
jammed object in the event of debris getting stuck
between the blades.
MOTOR
SOURCE
LOCAL MOTOR COMPANY
MTM Motors
DESCRIPTION
FINDINGS
Specialising in 240V triphasic motors, I was
informed these would provide. optimal specs for
torque and rpm, as well as having an in-built
cooling system. However, the vast majority of
A Sydney based DC
these motors, whilst having suitable specifications,
motor manufacturer
were in excess of $500 and weighed over 30kg.
Not only was the price far too high, but the
motors were also too large and bulky to be
suitable for indoor use.
3-PHASE MOTOR
PHYSICS TEACHER
Mr Idstein
Provided guidance
for circuitry and
motors
After discussion with my physics teachers, I was
informed that triphasic motors would not work,
as they require a triphasic power supply, which
would be impossible for my project.
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SOURCE
SHREDDER FORUM
Precious Plastic
Forum
INTERNATIONAL MOTOR
DISTRIBUTOR
Fuzhou Bringsmart
Intelligent Tech
DESCRIPTION
FINDINGS
A discussion forum
regarding DIY
shredders which I
joined to ask for
their advice. Many
of these users had
come up with creative
alternatives to big
bulky motors.
Members of the forum suggested that I modify
an electric winch motor to spin the shaft.
As these are only $100 online and have the
capacity to pull objects in excess of 2 tonnes,
they meet my required specifications. These
winches are also small in size, however often
quite noisy.
I discussed with Sherly Yang from Bringsmart
motor company about their vast collection of
motors. This company manufactures and sells
thousands of motors every year all around the
world for large scale mechatronic operations.
A motor production
She suggested for me to use one of their
and distribution
larger 12V motors. This would allow me to
company specialising in
wire the motor directly to my electrical circuit,
high power DC motors
as well as control the direction with a switch
based in China
through reversing the polarity of the motor.
These 12V motors are relatively cheap, capable
of providing extreme amounts of torque for
their size and can easily be operated.
FIRST CONNTACT WITH
THE SUPPLIER
MOTOR TEST
After receiving the package, I had to ensure
it could perform to its listed specifications. I
connected the motor to a DC circuit, ensuring that it spun in both directions. I also
applied a load to the end of the axle and
tested that it would continue to spin under
resistance.
PURCHASED MOTOR
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PROCESSES
SOURCE
3D PRINTING SPECIALIST
3D Hubs Website
DESIGN TEACHER
Mrs Perdriau
DIY SHREDDER
Precious Plastic
Video
DESCRIPTION
An article from a
3D printing website
identifying the pros
and cons of 3D
printing
FINDINGS
3D printed materials also have the capacity to
be lightweight and strong enough to be used
effectively in my design. The major limitations
with 3D printing are that it is slow, can only
print smaller sized objects and is often quite
temperamental. With a new printer, however,
prototypes could be produced in a matter of
hours. Newer printers are also capable of printing
extremely complex designs with the use of
supports and rafts, producing very little wastage
throughout the manufacturing process.
3D PRINTERS
My school had recently purchased 3 large UpBox 3D printers, with large printing bays. Whilst
these machines would certainly be suitable for the
I discussed
production of my project, she made me aware
the possible
that the machines are extremely temperamental
manufacturing
and often break down for no apparent reason.
techniques available
at school with
She also suggested that I manufacture larger
my Design and
components using the laser cutters available at
Technology teacher. my school. There machines would allow me to
produce precise shapes on flat acrylic, which I
could then assemble. These machines are also
extremely quick and reliable.
In a video explaining
the assembly of one
of their machines,
‘Precious Plastic’
discussed the use
of plasma cutting
components.
Plasma cutting is very similar to laser cutting,
except it would allow me to manufacture large
steel blades at a much greater thickness. If I
needed to manufacture large metal components
this would be a suitable option, as we have a
plasma cutter available at school. However, the
components created are extremely heavy as they
are made out of solid metals.
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SOURCE
LOCAL VACUUM FORMING
COMPANY
DESCRIPTION
Vacuum forming would allow me to produce one
solid product to perfect dimensions. Whilst this
would be ideal, vacuum forming is a much better
A discussion with
option for large scale operations. I coordinated
a vacuum forming with a local vac-forming company, who quoted
company discussing one single unit of my design for $1560, which
its advantages and greatly exceed my budget. If my product was to
quoting my project. be released in large quantities, vacuum forming
would be an ideal solution as the cost would
reduce with mass-production.
PRODUCT EXAMPLES
PAST EXPERIENCE
Fusion360
PAST EXPERIENCE
MeshMixer
FINDINGS
VACUUM FORMING MACHINE
As last year I had learnt to use Fusion360 for a
Conducting previous previous project, I decided to use it again for my
projects in Design MDP, as I am already competent and have a solid
and Tech
understanding of the software. My school also
provides students with the software for free.
Through my own research and experience with 3D
printing over past years, I have found Mesh-mixer
Previous experience to be the most suitable 3D printer slicing software.
using 3D printing
Whilst it is not the most technical piece of softslicers
ware, it is free to download and suitable for use
on MacBook laptops.
3D PRINTER STRENGTH AND DURABILITY EXPERIMENT
AIM:
Test different combinations of specifications to determine
the strongest combination of 3D printer settings.
METHOD:
1. Design the component in Fusion360
2. Upload model to the UP-Box printer and select default print
specifications
3. Print the model
4. Reprint the model multiple times, systematically changing the
layer height, infill percentage and number of external layers
5. Test and record the strength and durability of each different
model
INFILL PERCENTAGES
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OBSERVATIONS/RESULTS
• Increasing the infill percentage greatly increases the time taken to print, but also greatly increases the structural integrity
• There is only a very minor difference between 75% infill and 100% infill, whilst 100% infill
takes much longer to print
• Increasing the number of external layers directly increases the durability
• More than 6 external layers is unnecessary
• A finer layer height produces a smoother finish, however, layers that are too fine often do
not join together properly
CONCLUSION
I have found the most suitable specifications for components which are constantly under stress
(blades, shaft, gears) should have the following specifications:
• 75% infill
• 2mm Layer height
• 6 External Layers
These specifications provide the best levels of
strength and durability, without using excessively
unnecessary amounts filament.
Components that are not under stress should
have:
• 50% infill
• 1.5mm Layer Height
• 3 External Layers
This allows for a faster print time as well as a
smoother finish on visual surfaces.
USED 3D PRINTER
SETTINGS
3D PRINTING COMPONENT COMPATIBILITY TEST
AIM:
To test the precision and accuracy of the 3D printers available at school.
METHOD:
1. Select and order electronic components
2. Use dimensioned drawings of components to design temporary housings squares in Fusion360
3. Export 3D models and print on UP-Box printers
4. Attempt to place to component inside the housing to test the accuracy of the dimensions of
the 3D printed component.
OBSERVATIONS/RESULTS:
PURCHASED COMPONENTS PLACE WITHIN 3D PRINTS
46
• The 3D printed housing was perfectly accurate
• The components fit tightly inside their housing
• The strength of the join was strong, but not too unbreakable
CONCLUSION
There is no need to alter the dimensions of my 3D model, as the model created on Fusion360
is a 1:1 replica of that which is produced by the 3D printer. No adjustments must be made to
account for misalignment.
BROKEN 3D PRINTERS TEST
After I had determined the best settings for the 3D printers, they began to malfunction. Whilst
I was using 3 different printers, all 3 were having their own separate issues resulting in failed
prints. Whilst two of the printers were not heating up and extruding the filament properly, the
third had an error with the printing base and could not move along the y-axis.
I experimented for 3 weeks with different methods to solve these issues, through changing the
filament, print settings and printer calibration.
FAILED 3D PRINTS
STRUCTURAL PROTOTYPE
AIM: To
visualise an experimental protoype of my design, ensuring that the dimensions are correct it looks visually appealing.
METHOD:
1. Measure the face of the design on Fusion360
2. Draw and cut the faces out of cardboard
3. Join the structure together using masking tape`
47
OBSERVATIONS/RESULTS:
• All of the dimensions fit correctly
• The box fit tightly to the bin
• The design look as expected in real life
CONCLUSION
After creating this prototype, I realised it will be unnecessary to 3D print the main structure
of the shredder. After constructing it out of flat cardboard pieces, I noticed I could replicate
this process with stronger acrylic pannels. These could be easily cut to the correct dimensions
based off of my 3D design, and provide the same strength and durability as 3D printing flat
sheets. Additionally, laser cutting acrylic would be much cheaper, faster and allows a greater
room for error if a mistake is made, as pieces can easily be re-cut
BIN CUTTING EXPERIMENT
AIM: To
determine which method is best suited to cut apart the bin
METHOD:
1. Take a spare bin into the workshop
2. Cut it into sections using different pieces of equipment
3. Examine which machine was easiest to use and produced the cleanest cut
OBSERVATIONS/RESULTS:
Due to the obscure shape of the bin, I had to use a range of techniques to cut apart the
bin. Whilst the band saw easily cut the bin in a cross section, a hack saw was required to
make more intricate cuts. A file would easily clean up burrs created by the saw.
CONCLUSION:
The plastic of the bin cut very easily and will be easy to work with. I have decided that I
must use a range of tools to make all of the neccessary cuts for my bin. These include a
hack saw, band saw and a file.
48
SAFETY MECHANISM
SOURCE
ENGINEERING EXPERT
Paul Evans, YouTube
JAY CAR EMPLOYEE
DESCRIPTION
FINDINGS
He suggested that I implement this 3-way switch,
to ensure that both the lid of the bin must be
I communicated
closed, and that the button must be pressed
with Paul Evans who
for the motor to function. If either of these
runs an engineering
two processes do not occur, the motor will not
YouTube channel,
activate. For this to be applied to my product,
teaching students
he suggests that I utilise a Reed switch to sense
about switch
proximity. This will allow the function of closing
circuits.
the lock to complete one phase of the circuit,
effectively restricting operators from being exposed
to the shredder whilst the machine is operating.
I discussed with a
Jay Car employee
about suitable
circuit components
for my circuit
The worker gave me a basic understating about
DC circuits, and the basics of voltage and current,
as well as what the specifications of components
meant. Whilst he could provide general knowledge,
they are not allowed to give project advice due to
legal reasons.
PAUL EVANS’ YOUTUBE CHANNEL
DIAGRAM OF RECOMMENDED
CIRCUIT
PAUL EVANS
49
I consulted a
mechatronic expert
MECHATRONIC EXPERT
online to help
Dr. N Chandra Sekhar,
design my circuit
Airtasker
and choose suitable
components
As I had no experience in circuitry, I had to learn
a large amount of information to be able to
create the complex circuit that I had intended. He
advised me to use a power supply for the project,
that could convert 240V into 12V velectricity to
power my motor. As the motor was 12V, it was
advised for me to construct a circuit mainly
using 12V components, as opposed to 240V
components. Not only are these cheaper but also
much safer to use.
I was also told to purchase a power supply that
was able to consistently supply greater than the
amount required by the motor to ensure there
was a safe threshold of amperage available. If too
few Amps were provided, the motor would not
function at full capacity, and the power supply
could explode.
I was also taught the importance of checking the
specifications of switches. If the rated current of
a switch was exceeded, contacts could “weld”
together and become hazardous. For example, if
I used a switch only rated to 15 Amps, however
my circuit supplied 20 Amps of current, the switch
would heat up, and the terminals switching it on
and off would melt together, rendering the switch
useless.
Dr Sekhar also advised me to replace the
magnetic Reed switch with a micro switch, as it
could be possible for the magnet within the Reed
Switch to be disrupted by other metal components
of the system, causing the switch to misfire.
SPDT RELAY1
12V
NC
com
SMPS
DPDT SWT
phase
+12v
neutral
GND
12V DC MOTOR
SPDT LEVER SWT
240V AC --L
SW-SPDT
240V AC --N
SW-DPDT
+88.8
NO
NO
com
NC
SPDT RELAY2
12V
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM CREATED BY
DR CHANDRA
PURCHASED POWER SUPPLY
50
LOCAL ELECTRICIAN
DC MOTOR RESEARCH
YouTube
DESIGN TEACHER
Mrs Perdriau
I sought help from
a local electrician
to help me safely
wire my circuit
A YouTube
video instructing
the principal of
reversing the
polarity of a DC
motor
As I had no experience in circuitry or soldering,
I thought it was best to consult an electrician to
guide me in the soldering and assembly of my
circuit. As the power supply requires you to use
240V electricity to connect it to a standard power
outlet, I deemed this task unsafe and asked a
qualified electrician for assistance. Not only would
this ensure that it would be wired safely and
correctly, but he would also put a safety tag on
my cable, deeming it safe for use and allowing
me to use it at school without professional
supervision. I would be able to solder the nonlethal elements of the circuit whilst he did the
dangerous part.
I researched into the type of motor that I would
be using and found the way to reverse the
direction was through reversing the polarity of
the motor. This would require me to use a DPDT
rocker switch with ON-OFF-ON terminals to be
able to change the direction of the motor without
the use of a speed controller. Not only would this
save me money but is also more ergonomically
friendly solution as it only requires one button for
the user to operate the shredder.
Whilst discussing the circuity of my project, my
teachers asked the question as to how one would
A discussion with
clean the bin whilst there are exposed wires. She
my Design teacher suggested to create a waterproof housing box
which lead to a new which the power would sit in. If the bin had to be
design modification. cleaned, this could be removed. Furthermore this
would protect the power supply from accidental
liquid spills.
SOLDERING TEST
AIM:
To determine the best way to safely solder 20 AWG wire to the button terminals
METHOD:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Gather soldering equipment and prepare soldering iron
Hold wires together on a soldering stand and solder to a spare spade terminal
Repeat step 2 using different methods and orientations of connecting the wire
Cover each connection in heat shrink wrap
Apply varying forces to the soldered connection to test its strength
51
SOLDERING THE MOTOR
TERMINALS
SOLDERED SWITCH
OBSERVATIONS/RESULTS:
• The orientation of the wire relative to the terminal did not affect the strength of connection
• Adding solder to each component individually before joining them makes the process much
more efficient
• Flattening the wire before soldering greatly increases the adjacent surface areas, allowing for
easier application of heat shrink
• Adding more solder increases the quality of connection and makes the join stronger
•Excessive application of solder is unnecessary as it makes the connection bulky
CONCLUSION:
From my experimentation, I have constructed a method to easily produce the best results when
soldering whilst also developing my confidence.
POWER SUPPLY HOUSING TEST
AIM: To
design a Power Supply Housing which fits correctly
within the bin
METHOD:
1. Create a prototype for the box out of cardboard to
ensure it fits correctly
2. Measure the cardboard faces and design them in AutoCAD
3. Cut the design using the laser cutter
4. Assemble the components with hot glue
5. Test to see if it fits in the bin
OBSERVATIONS/RESULTS:
CARDBOARD PROTOTYPE
The designed box fit perfectly within the bin, however as the
joint is so precice, it is extremely difficult to remove the box
once placed inside the bin. I must modify my design to allow
for the lid to open, through implementing a handle.
CONCLUSION:
The design solution designed on AutoCAD is suitable for my
MDP, however requires the implementation of a handle to
allow for it to be removerd if needed.
LASER CUT PROTOTYPE
WITH POWER SUPPLY
52
ERGONOMICS
SOURCE
PINTREST
DESCRIPTION
Trending Rubbish Bin
designs
FINDINGS
Combining my requirements for the safety system
with ergonomic principles, I found a number of
I reviewed a collage styles of lids that I could utilise to make the
of popular trends product easy to operate. I must also ensure that
in modern kitchens the height of the bin is suitable for operation and
and rubbish bins,
feels natural to use. As I am adding my shredder
as well as their
on-top of a pre-existing bin that has been
ergonomic qualities designed to ergonomic standards, I must make
sure I reduce excessively increasing the height of
the bin and making it awkward to use.
INSPIRATION FROM PINTREST
TESTING A VARIETY OF ERGONOMIC LIDS
To ensure I selected the most ergonomically suitable design, I went to Bunnings Warehouse and
interacted with each of their available household bins. Judging weight, size and handle design, I
determined that there was very little variation between each individual bin, and the set of bins I
had chosen from Ikea would be suitable.
BINS AT BUNNINGS`
BIN PURCHASED FROM
IKEA
53
MATERIALS
SOURCE
3D PRINTING COMPANY
Tractus 3D
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Acrylic Sheets
EDESIGN TEACHER
Mrs Perdriau
DESCRIPTION
FINDINGS
An online 3D
printing company
who advised me on
the best material
for my project
They suggested that the most suitable 3D
printer filament for my project to be Acrylonitrile
Butadiene Styrene (ABS). This filament is used in a
wide range of applications and is both strong and
extremely lightweight. The cost of 3D printing ABS
is also low, allowing me to minimise the total cost
of my project.
Using Acrylic in for
past projects
From previous experience, I know how to easily
and effectively create shapes and cut them out
on the laser cutter. I have found Acrylic to be the
best material for this, as it is light weight, flexible
and can easily be joined with hot glue.
A discussion with
my teacher about
the best 3D printer
filament to use
My schoolteacher advised me that all of the new
3D printers at our school use ABS filament. The
school also has a large supply of spare filament
and can easily order more in at short notice for
wholesale prices.
COLOUR TEST
AIM:
To determine which colours that are available in ABS will best suit my desired aesthetic
METHOD:
1. Print a test square in a 3D printer
2. Change the filament colour in the printer and repeat
3. Examine and choose the best colour combination
OBSERVATIONS/RESULTS
• Many colours changed in their tone after being 3D printer
• The Marble filament looks extremely professional
• Many of the available colours were too exotic
COLOUR SAMPLES
54
IDENTIFICATION AND JUSTIFICATION OF
IDEAS AND RESOURCES
MATERIALS
RESOURCE
WHY
3MM ACRYLIC
3mm acrylic is already avaliable at my
school
It is the best material to use with the
laser cutter
WHERE
Main Shredding Box
Waterproof Power Supply Box
3D printing• Gears
• Shafts
• Blades
• Spacers
ABS
ABS was the reccommended material
to use for 3D printing
It is already avaliable at my school
CARDBOARD
Using cardboard is an effective way to
create a rapid prototype
Prototype of the Shredder
Prototype of the Power Supply Box
Masking Tape
Exacto Knife
Acrylic Glue
Solder
Hot Glue
These various items were used as they
were readily avaliable and I knew they
would work. No experimentation and
testing was needed.
Cutting Cardboard, Gluing
Cardboard, Gluing Acrylic,
Soldering the Circuit, Taping
Prototypes together
12V MOTOR
This motor was found to be the most
suitable for my project
Shredding Mechanism
SWITCHES
These switches were determined
through my research to be most
suitable for my desired function
BALL BEARING
Ball bearing are easy to install and
allow for low-friction rotation
MISCELLANEOUS
DPDT Rocker
Micro-Switch
Safety Mechanism
Shredding Mechanism
55
TOOLS
RESOURCE
WHY
WHERE
3D PRINTED
3D printing was the best way to
manufacture precise components
My school has 3D printers avaliable
LASER CUTTER
The laser cutter allows me to
accurately cut shapes based on my
designs
My school has laser cutters avaliable
Main Shredding Box
Power Supply Box
PANEL SAW
The panel saw is the largest and best
saw avaliable
Cutting Acrylic Sheets
FUSION360
Fusion 360 is the best and easiest
software to create 3D models, as
discovered from previous experience
AUTOCAD
AutoCAD is easy to use for creating
laser cutter profiles, as discovered
from previous experience
Gears, Shredding Blades, Shaft,
Spacers
Designing 3D components
• All 3D printed objects
• Reference objects
•
•
Designing Shapes to be Laser Cut
Main Structre
Power Supply Housing
56
EXPERTS
RESOURCE
WHY
WHERE
DESIGN TEACHER
To seek guidence
about design ideas and
brainstorm solutions
My design teacher helped problem solve
various problems with me, inclduing designing
the power supply box, fixing 3D printers and
determining the best production processes.
PHYSICS TEACHER
To gain assistance
with motors and circuit
diagrams
Mr Idstein helped me ensure I purchase the
correct motor, and that I created a effective
circuit for all of my electrical components.
DAVE HAKKENS
To gain expert advice
from an industry
professional
Dave Hakkens provided guidance on the
shredding mechanism, choice of the motor,
and provided specifications which must be met,
based on his personal experience.
PAUL EVANS
To gain gain expert
advice from an industry
professional
Paul Evans help me determine the best type of
circuit I should use, and help me develop an
initial idea of what switches I will require.
DR. N CHANDRA
SEKHAR
To gain gain expert
advice from an industry
professional
Dr Sekhar helped me design my final circuit,
as well as provided expert advice about my
specific circuitry components.
57
EVIDENCE AND APPLICATION OF
PRACTICAL SKILLS
3D PRINTING
PROCESSESS
•
•
•
•
•
Fusion360
3D Printing
METHOD
MATERIALS/PPE
After completing the initial Fusion drawings for my shredder, I began to
3D print the blades and shafts. Using my chosen ABS filament and the
UPBox Printer settings I had determined which were most suitable in my
experimentation , I was able to print 3 Blades and 3 Spacers at a time.
I began this as my first task as I knew it would take the longest time to
complete. I started a new 3D print every lessons as they each took 10
hours, and slowly assembled all of the pieces.
CIRCUIT ASSEMBLY
PROCESSESS
•
•
Soldering
Drawing Circuit Diagrams
METHOD
3D printers
ABS
Pliers
MATERIALS/PPE
•
•
•
•
Solder
Soldering Iron
Circuit Components
Wire stripers
After examining the wiring diagram, I aligned the circuit in the desired
arangement whilst also measuring out desired wire length. I then clamped
the components in place and soldered the wires to each terminal. I had
to consult the wiring diagram of each switch to ensure I wired the correct
direction of flow.
58
CIRCUIT ASSEMBLY-CONTINUED
POWER SUPPLY HOUSING-PROTOTYPE
PROCESSESS
•
•
•
Cardboard Prototyping
AutoCAD
Laser Cutter
METHOD
•
•
•
•
•
MATERIALS/PPE
3mm Acrylic
Hot Glue
Cardboard
Masking Tape
Stanley Knife
I began by measuring the dimensions which the box would need to be
in order for it to fit inside the bin. To ensure my design fir properly, I
constructed a rough prototype using cardboard and masking tape. This
way I could easily adjust the dimensions of the box. I then took these
dimensions and created a 2D skeleton for the box in AutoCAD, which could
be sent to and cut out by the laser cutter. I glued these acrylic pieces
together using hot glue and made sure that fit inside of the bin. After
testing this design, I found that it fit so perfectly that I could not remove it.
This required me to redisgn the box on AutoCAD, adding handles to allow
me to remove it. I re-printed and glued this model, making it suitable for
use in my final design.
CARDBOARD MODEL
AUTOCAD DRAWING
59
SHREDDER BODY-PROTOTYPE
PROCESSESS
•
•
Cardboard Prototyping
Fusion360
METHOD
MATERIALS/PPE
•
•
•
Cardboard
Masking Tape
Stanley Knife
After realising how easy the cardboard prototyping was in making the power
supply box, I decided to construct the main shredder body out of cardboard,
based on the dimensioned model I had created in my initial drawings. This
would allow me to visualise the scale of my design, as well as check that
my initial dimensions fit.
I took measurements from Fusion and cut all of the faces out of cardboard
sheets, and joined them all with masking tape. My design fit perfectly, and
was to my desired shape and aesthetic. However after conducting this test, I
found that the shredding box was made out of simple primitive shapes, and
could eaily be replicated using Laser Cut acrylic. This would not only allow
for the same precision as 3D printing, which was my intended method of
production, but would also take much less time and save costs.
CARDBOARD MODEL
60
SHREDDER BODY-DESIGN
PROCESSESS
•
•
MATERIALS/PPE
•
•
•
Fusion360
AutoCAD
Cardboard
Masking Tape
Stanley Knife
Deciding that I would create the main box out of acrylic meant I had to
redisgn my Fusion model, making it easier to assemble as individual pieces.
This involved simplifying the design to reduce the number of individual faces,
requiring less assembly.
METHOD
I used the measurements from the original design, whilst making slight
modifications, specifically around there the motor sits to allow for a
more simplistic design. Through this process, I also imporved the overall
effectiveness of my design, as I more effectively used the space.
After recreating the 3D model, I also created a 2D drawing in AutoCAD
that could be cut on the Laser Cutter. This was particularly difficult as I
frequently had to adjust my dimensions to account for the width of the
acrylic, which would extend some dimensions by 3mm. I was able to copy
the Fusion dimensions for the most part and created a skeleton for my
shredding box.
FUSION MODEL
AUTOCAD DRAWING
FUSION RENDER
61
SHREDDER BODY-PRODUCTION
PROCESSESS
•
•
Corell Draw
Laser Cutting
MATERIALS/PPE
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
3mm Acrylic
Acrylic Glue
Masking Tape
Plywoo
Dowel
Band Saw
Disc Sander
Taking my drawings from AutoCAD, I exported them and transfered them into
Corell Draw, the program which the Laser Cutter operates with. I arranged
all of the individual space to most effeciently use the 600x400mm print bed.
Whilst the laser was cutting the sheet acrylic, the machine malfunctioned,
causing it to make several passes of each cut, resulting in a 5 minute cut
turning into 40 minutes. Whilst this was irritating, I just let the machine finish
its process over a longer time.
METHOD
After cutting all of the acrylic, I glued the sheets together in two sections
(the inside box and the outside box), before gluing the two boxes together.
To ensure the boxes were glued at right angles, I also cut out a rectangle
of plywood measuring the inside dimensions of the box, ensuring all of the
sides line up. I applied acrylic glue to all of the points of contact and let
it sit for 2 minutes, before I joined all of the faces together. I also wrapped
the box in masking tape to hold it in place whilst it dries overnight.
Whilst creating my AutoCAD drawings, I incorrectly measured the small
faces at the back of the motor, which were printed 3mm too big. To fix
the problem, I remeasured and adjusted these pieces on the disc sander to
allow them to fit. I then glued all of these pieces together using the acrylic
glue.
INSIDE BOX ACRYLIC
MODEL
OUTSIDE BOX ACRYLIC
MODEL
62
SOLDERING-FURTHER
PROCESSESS
•
MATERIALS/PPE
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Soldering
Solder
Soldering Iron
Circuit Components
Wire stripers
Crimp Terminals
Heat Shrink
Electrical Tape
After conducting further general research on circuit wiring, I discovered
‘Crimp Lugs and Terminals’. These attach to the end of circuit wires as
a replacement for solder, and are often much safer as they can provide
insulation for the terminal.
METHOD
I un-soldered all of my connections and attached Crimp Terminals to each
of the connections. Whilst they initially fit, the terminals would not close
around the wire, as the guage of wire was too big. This left the connections
loose and prone to disconnecting. As I had bought the largest crimp
terminals avaliable locally, I decided to resolder my circuit, but with more
precision and cover all of the connections` with heat shrink or electrial tape.
SOLDERING IRON
CRIMP TERMINAL
POWER SUPPLY HOUSING-PRODUCTION
PROCESSESS
•
•
AutoCAD
Laser Cutter
METHOD
MATERIALS/PPE
•
•
•
3mm Acrylic
Acrylic Glue
Masking Tape
I redesigned the Power Supply box in AutoCAD, adding the handle to allow
for it to be removed. I also added a hole in the lid and base for the power
chord. Similarly as before, I sent the drawing to the laser and cut it out.
When gluing the model this time, I used acrylic glue instead of hot glue as
it worked better with the Shredding Box and is stronger.
63
POWER SUPPLY HOUSING-CONTINUED
ACRYLIC BOX
ACRYLIC BOX IN THE BIN
ASSEMBLY
PROCESSESS
•
Assembly
MATERIALS/PPE
•
•
•
•
•
Circuit
3D printed Shaft
Acrylic Glue
Ball Bearings
Disc Sander
After creating each of the components individually, I was now able to
assemble them. I began by testing the alignment of the two shredding
shafts. To my surprise, they were offset by about 3mm. After discussing with
my teacher, we decided it would be best to remake the small box, with the
holes for the shaft 6mm further away from eachother. After examining my
original drawings, I found that one of the dimesnions had changed, making
the shafts collide. I changed this in AutoCAD, and recut the box out of
Acrylic.
METHOD
Next, I glued in the ball bearings, and designed the extension for the shaft.
In order to best use the space inside the Shredding Box, I had intended to
create a modular shaft which would be installed in 2 parts. After examining
how the main shaft fit inside the Shredding Box, I measured and designed
an adaptor, that would connect to the main shaft, the motor axel and the
gear to keep the shaft in sync.
Using the Drill Press, I then measured and cut a hole for the button at
the front of the Big Box. I had decided to do this after so I could better
visualise and position its placement.
With all the pieces ready, I inserted the shafts and the circuit, and tested
that the circuit worked.
64
ASSEMBLY-CONTINUED
COLLIDING GEARS
INSIDE BOX WITH BEARINGS
BOXES GLUED TOGETHER
GEARS
•
•
PROCESSESS
Fusion360
3D Printing
METHOD
MATERIALS/PPE
•
•
ABS
3D printers
After assembling all of the components, I measuered the spaces which the
gears needed to fit in. I couldn’t do this within Fusion as the dimensions
must be extremely precise. I measured and designed the gears, before
printing them out and attaching them to the shaft.
GEAR DESIGNED IN FUSION
3D PRINTED GEARS
65
CUTTING
•
•
PROCESSESS
Sawing Blade Cutting
Filing
MATERIALS/PPE
•
•
•
•
Band Saw
Hack Saw
File
Drill press
In order to connect the Acrylic Box to the IKEA bin, I had to cut out
sections of the bin in order for them to fit. To make room for the acrylic
box, I measured out and cut the necessary path using the hack saw. I also
used a hand file to smooth the edges and provide a smooth finish.
METHOD
To create a hole for the power cable, I began by filling the bin with scrap
wood to add support, ensuring the bin would not snap under the drill press.
I chose a single drill bit which would be large enough for the power cable
to pass through.
I also had to shorten the interior bin, allowing it to easily move in and out
of the bigger bin. To do this, one of my teachers had the idea to cut it on
the band saw as this would be much quicker than manually using the Hack
Saw. We also had to angle the band saw to accomodate for the taper of
the bin, enusring we cut it straight.
Finally, I had to cut a hole out of the bigger bin to allow the smaller bin to
be placed inside. To do this, I first drilled a hole whith the drill press. From
there, I used the hack saw to cut around the boarder and remove the front
panel.
REINFORCED INTERIOR
BIN WITH CUT HOLE
TEACHER CUTTING BIN ON THE
BAND SAW
66
ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION OF
FUNCTIONAL AND
AESTHETIC ASPECTS
DURABILITY & QUALITY
I believe the quality of the project is fulfilled to best suit all
criteria. The main body of the design is made and reinforced
using acrylic sheets and epoxy glue, creating an effective
and rigid structure capable of withstanding high forces. Whilst
this component could have been produced by the process of
vacuum forming to provide further structure, this would have
cost over $2,000 more and only would have provided minimal
improvement. The 3D printed components have been produced
using high quality ABS+ filament with maximum infill percentages,
creating a solid and extremely durable shredding shaft. The
highest quality of circuit components have been selected to
maximise their lifespan as well as maximise safety. All of the
components have also been reinforced with electrical tape and
heat shrink tubing to prevent any electrical shortages. Whilst the
product is not completely waterproof, it has been designed to
be splash resistant, as well as easily removable for cleaning. I
believe the design is produced at a very high quality and utilises
durable components to ensure the product remains usable and
safe.
PRINTER FILAMENT
SHREDDING MECHANISM
SAFETY
The safety considerations of my product have been fulfilled to
the best of my ability. Through a thoughtful choice of circuit
components as well as circuit design, the electrical components
have been designed to meet extremely high standards. The use
of two separate switches in a sequential layout enables the
circuit to be both safe and easy to use as it is intuitive and
prevents accidental activation. As my main degree of difference
was to ensure the shredder could be used safely, I believe I
have effectively managed this, with the safety of the user taking
priority in every decision.
Having also called an electrician to complete the 240V circuitry,
I ensured that I myself remain safe throughout the production
process as it is extremely dangerous for someone who is
untrained to work on 240V circuits. Overall, the production of
my MDP was carried out in a safe matter, with no danger to
anybody.
ELECTRITIAN WIRING 240V
CIRCUIT
67
USABILITY
The ergonomics of my MDP have been considered to a great
extent to ensure effective and intuitive usability. Whilst complex
in design, the circuit it easy and simple to use as it only
requires one rocker switch to operate, ensuring an instinctive
user experience. The switches are chosen to be easily usable
and placed ergonomically on the shredder. The height and
weight of the product were both also optimised to enable
easy usage and storage. A form of transportation such as an
ergonomic handle could have been added to further improve the
manoeuvrability of the product.
IMPACT ON SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT
I believe that my design has been designed to fit well within
a modern kitchen environment. Having selected a relatively
quiet motor, whilst also optimising the design to use minimal
space, it effectively uses a compact amount of space without
occupying too much of the kitchen area. Further precautions
such as soundproofing inside of the box could have been taken
to further reduce the noise, however this is often expensive and
produces minimal benefits in noise reduction. The design suits a
modern kitchen aesthetic and does not draw major attention to
itself or take up too much room. As my design is an addition to
a pre-existing bin, it conforms to standard kitchen sizes, being
able to fit with our 1.3m high cupboard.
AESTHETICS
I believe the design suits its purpose and is appealing enough
to suit the target market. As it is only meant to blend in with
the kitchen environment, it does fit within modern trends of
appliances through using a pastel white colour whilst also
looking minimalistic, incorporating elements of a successful bin
designed by IKEA. Overall, the product does not draw attention
to itself and is acceptable to be placed in a kitchen. Curved
edges could have been incorporated to further improve the
aesthetic qualities of the bin, mirroring the edges of the IKEA
bin, however this is extremely difficult when using acrylic sheets.
COLOUR
The combination of a satin white and bright green as an accent
colour improves the aesthetic qualities of the bin without overly
drawing attention to itself. I had chosen an acrylic material
as similar as possible to the material used for the base bin,
in order for the shredding module to match with the base.
However, the colour does not exactly match as the bin has
more of a matte finish. The combination of the white with
the accent colour mirrors the other products in my kitchen
environment, allowing it to be easily accepted by the target
market. The choice of green is also suitable to match the colour
associated with recycling.
COLOURS USED
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SHAPE
Ensuring the shape of the bin is designed for the best
combination of function and aesthetics was extremely important
to my project. I designed the bin to occupy as little space as
possible whilst fitting in all of the required components, leaving
very little unused space. The weight of the bin is balanced,
and it is at an optimal height and size for easy use, being []
off the ground. I also designed the shape with form in mind,
conforming to my aesthetic criteria and sitting well within the
kitchen environment, as it suits modern design trends and looks
similar to other existing products. Unfortunately, the bin did not
have the rounded edges which I had originally desired due to
my restricted use of acrylic. If I had the opportunity, I would use
alternate process in order to better the form of the bin, allowing
it to suit the IKEA bin.
TIME & COST
The time and cost management of my MDP have been managed
very effectively. I had managed and planned my time well from
the beginning of my project, working consistently to ensure I
finished on time. This relieved stress upon submission of my
project as I finished early, giving me time to finalise my folio
and presentation of my MDP. Furthermore, my project remained
within the restrictions of my budget of $1000, ensuring it is both
acceptable for my prototype as well as end consumers. Whilst
my product cost was relatively high as I was only purchasing
single units of the product, I was also able to find suitable
methods of product which would cost much less when produced
on a larger scale.
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FINAL
EVALUATION
A major positive to my product is that I successfully met the design
brief to ‘Design and create a prototype of an affordable household waste
shredder which can safely be used in the home.” I successfully met all the
criteria outlined in my brief and am overall satisfied with the final working
prototype which was produced.
An unfortunate negative to my product was that it did not have the
aesthetic qualities that I had desired due to my restricted production
processes caused by the limited resources available within my budget.
Whilst the function of the product was not at all effected, it was
disappointing that I was unable to produce and exact replica of what I had
originally envisioned.
I believe I have been successful in my goal to produce a Household Waste
Shredder. It was particularly hard to design a suitable shape in Fusion360
that would fit onto an existing bin, as well as encapsulate bought circuitry
and then to finally be produced by various different production processes.
I had to learn a lot about circuitry and the safety rating of components
due to varying levels of supplied Voltage and Amperage. I had very little
previous experience with soldering and had to teach myself everything from
the internet, as well as talking to professionals. Furthermore, whilst I had
a small bit of past experience with 3D printing, my project has taught me
much more than I ever knew. Not only did I learn about print strengths
and how to operate and troubleshoot printers, but also how to consciously
design components in Fusion in order to produce better and stronger
prints.
INDIVIDUAL IMPACTS
Living in a world where people are increasingly restricted by rules and
regulations of councils and governments, people are strong armed into
complying, paying increasing fees for basic goods and services which
were previously free of charge. Waste production is a fundamental part of
every individual’s life as consumerism continues to rise. In an attempt to
tax people further, my local council has begun charging people extra for
producing excess waste – my product aims to combat this. Through simply
compacting the recycling waste produced by the household, they are able
to align with council guidelines whilst also avoiding an extra fee. Whilst
my product does have a up-front cost, it would save individuals money in
the long run, preventing long term rental of additional waste bins. As my
product would begin saving individuals money after 8 months, I believe it is
certainly an effective solution to the problem.
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SOCIETAL IMPACTS
As international phenomena of global warming
and efficient use of resources gains further
momentum in society, it is up to us to take
our recycling into our own hands. My MDP
accelerates the recycling process through
allowing users to shred their waste at home,
enabling a more efficient recycling process. Not
only does it complete a step of the recycling
process in the residential environment, but it
also reduces council transportation costs, as it
is packages finely and prevents excess travel.
This is important to society as it enables us to
assist our government in the recycling process,
thus taking these issues into our own hands.
Additionally, my product allows an alternative
to being strong-armed by local council.
Through providing an alternative to the
council’s monopoly on waste management,
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Overall, the use of my MDP will have a
positive impact on the environment. Saving
money and resources in the long term due to
reduced recycling expenses in transportation
and sorting, it is able to minimise the cost of
recycling and potentially encourage others to
take more action. Through conducting a life
cycle analysis, I have found is has a range of
impacts on the environment.
Throughout production, the majority of the
shredder is able to be produced from recycled
or re-used materials – being made entirely
out of ABS and Acrylic sheets, both of which
can be recycled easily, the product has a
reduced environmental footprint. Similarly, the
Acrylic sheet can be replaced with almost any
other available rigid material, such as wood or
metal. However, a large amount of energy is
required for the 3D printing process and could
be reduce through large scale manufacturing
processes such as vacuum forming.
During use, the shredder only requires a
small amount of electricity to operate the
motor, and therefore has minimal impact on
the environment. Additionally, most of the
components of the bin are easily replaceable,
making the design modular and preventing
my product gives society more independence
as they have options beyond simply paying a
larger fee. Through this, society has a greater
choice as it is empowered to operate beyond
the confines of local council. The widespread
use of my safety system allows for potential
use within industry, providing great potential
benefit. Due to the designed safety mechanism,
my MDP could be applied to a larger scale,
possibly being used within schools, hospitals
and work sites. My product could be adapted
easily to different needs, being built in larger
sizes or with bigger motors to allow a wider
range of applications. The product’s broader
use within society will promote active recycling
throughout our community, causing a positive
impact in order to improve the global recycling
effort.
users from having to replace the entire
product when only a single feature wears
down.
Furthermore, instead of using batteries which
contain toxic materials and acids which cannot
be replaced, I decided to use a power supply.
Not only did this choice allow me to minimise
energy consumption, but it also prevented the
excess use of single use batteries and toxic
acid.
Finally, upon the end of my products life
span, all components can be either recycled
or reused. Whilst the plastics themselves can
be recycled, the circuitry components can be
broken down into their valuable materials and
used in future mechatronic systems.
Overall of my MDP on the environment is
quite minimal, whilst also being very recyclable.
However, as my product is a prototype of a
final model, as opposed to an efficiently massproduced product, my design does not place
major focus on the manufacturing process,
rather the functional elements of my product.
If I were to mass produce the product, many
changes could be made to streamline the
process as well as further reduce the impact
on the environment.
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RELATIONSHIP OF PSE TO
PROJECT PROPOSAL
Upon the conclusion of my Design Process
it is critical to analayse the project against
the original criteria to evaluate success
in order to determine if the original brief
was met, as well as to determine areas of
improvement
ACHIEVED - This means I have satisfied all
aspects of this criterion to its full potential
PARTIALLY ACHIEVED - This means some aspects
of this criterion were met however there are
also identified areas which could be improved
upon.
NOT ACHIEVED - This means the criterion was not
met at all.
DURABILITY & QUALITY
The product is designed to a high quality,
with great durability. This was determined
through testing both the functionality of
my product in shredding different materials
as well as a final survey evaluating public
opinions of the product. The durability of my
MDP is also assured through my material
testing, as I used the materials which I had
found to be most suitable. Similarly, the
circuitry components chosen were of the
highest standard, ensuring they will last as
long as possible. As this criterion was of
critical importance, it was imperative that I
achieved my goal to the highest standard.
SAFETY
The system I have designed to safely operate
the shredder has been completed to a great
extent. Through primary testing of my 2-switch
circuit, I have determined that the product is
safe to use as it is impossible to accidentally
activate, and the user cannot harm themselves
as it cannot operate without the lid being
closed. This criterion was also of great
importance and imperative to the success of
my MDP.
USABILITY
The design is extremely usable and designed
ergonomically for easy operation. I have
determined through primary testing that the
circuit is intuitive and easy to use as it only
requires a single button to operate. This
creates a positive user experience and makes
the product much more consumer-friendly.
This has been further demonstrated through a
survey of the target market, investigating the
ease of use of the product. Shown through
this data, my MDP is easily usable and
ergonomically designed. This criterion was of
great importance to my success to encourage
users to use the product.
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COLOUR
IMPACT ON SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT
I have determined through primary testing
that the noise produces by the product is
not excessive and does not intrude with the
kitchen. The bin has also been designed to
maximise the space it takes up and could
not be more optimally designed using the
selected components. It follows a sleek
and modern colour palette, however, does
not follow the desired curved aesthetic
due to my restricted production processes
available. This criterion is not imperative to
the success of the product and could have
been achieved to a greater standard with
alternative production processes.
The colour choice of my design is uniform
and purposeful. Through a survey of the target
markets opinion of the colour choice, I have
found that the choice is very suitable and
appropriate to meet the modern design trends.
As I had to use a range of different materials,
it was difficult to match the colours across
different materials as they were in slightly
different shades. Despite this, as the colour
is not imperative to the design, I believe the
colours were chosen to the best possible
extent.
AESTHETICS
Through conducting a survey on the
aesthetic qualities of the design, I have
found that the design meets the desired
criterion to a moderate extent. It certainly
conforms with modern trends, using whites
and a single accent colour, whilst also
blending in with other elements in the
kitchen. However, as I had to use sheet
acrylic to create the shredder, I was unable
to mirror the curved edges of the IKEA bin,
resulting in a slightly bulky looking product.
Whilst the product still looks professional, its
shape does not suit my desired aesthetic.
SHAPE
The design of the shape has been made to
the best possible standard. Through primary
evaluation, I have determined that my design
optimally uses the space it takes up as
best as possible, perfectly fitting all of the
components without any wasted room within
the shredder. Whilst the shape does not fit
my original desired aesthetic, featuring curved
edges, my design still meets the original
functional purpose should be described as
successful.
TIME
I finished the project within my timeline and
also had a week spare to complete my folio
despite influences from the Corona Virus.
COST
My project was completed within the $1000
budget. I also investigated alternative
production processes which would allow me to
further minimise costs should the product be
mass produced.