Progress of project for week # 1 (9 Jun – 13 Jun)
After our Overseas Learning Trip with the CN Yang Scholar’s Program to Japan, work began. We started by creating our first prototype out of Lego. The prototype contains the critical moving parts, including the linear actuators that will be required to shift the knife position, as well as the barrier that will push the vegetable into place for each cut. The model was presented during the formal check-in. After the check-in, our group held discussions to further modify the design.
Progress of project for week # 2 (16 Jun – 20 Jun)
After many rounds of discussion, we started creating a list of supplies and parts that we needed. Being resourceful, we tried to find as many parts we needed from the MnT Lab and bought the rest. While waiting for the arrival of our parts, we started building the frame of our prototype using aluminum bars found in the lab. We also found a board that can function as a platform to place the vegetables on. However, cutting the board into the desired specification required hard work and sweat.
Progress of project for week # 3 (23 Jun – 27 Jun)
We had more rounds of discussion on ways to modify our current design to optimize the space. The platform for the vegetable will be divided into two, one to place the vegetable and the other will house the necessary electronics required.
Many obstacles suddenly popped up in this week. Firstly, though some of the parts we ordered were delivered, the rods and couplers that came as a set were not able to fit, which required troubleshooting and communication with the supplier we bought from (still in progress). Secondly, the M&T lab did not have the tools we needed to cut the blade we bought into the desired shape and size that we wanted so we had to find an alternative. Our fallen comrade – Xuan Li’s laptop might have been fried after all the Arduino coding and programming. Nonetheless we were winners as progress was made. We equipped the frame we created with a stepper motor and tested the mind-boggling code which worked successfully! The stepper motor would stop turning once pressure was applied to the sensor. This was a major milestone as it would be the foundation of how our machine would operate. Still, Xuan Li’s laptop survival remains a mystery…
Everyone in lab celebrating, taking in the small wins. Clearly someone was still asleep in Iceland…
Update: THE LAPTOP REVIVED!!! 👼
Progress of project for week # 4 (30 Jun – 4 Jul)
We successfully removed the handle of the blade, and to our surprise, the blade already came with holes that we can use to attach to our blade unit! (We take the small wins!) We also tested the blade on a carrot (RIP carrot 💀).
Our resident mechanic jumping for joy after the successful removal of blade handle.
Our chopping board arrived, but the lab did not have the necessary tools to cut it 🙁 So we used an acrylic board instead, and successfully laser cut the shape we desired with the help of Yaoxiang (Thank you!). Diagram vs Actual below ↓
As for the code, we are nearly done! Number pad has been successfully incorporated such that keying *20# results in a 20mm slice thickness followed by our barrier moving to push the vegetable for the next cut. Afterwards, both barrier and blade resets themselves. Demonstration video below (volume up!) ↓
Progress of project for week # 5 (7 Jul – 11 Jul)
With bulk of the electronics and main components settled, it was time to focus on the blade unit. After multiple designs and back and forth discussions, we came to the conclusion that a linear movement was the most efficient. To achieve that, we will require a bridge placed on top of the frame. Due to the constraints of the 3D printer, we had to print the bridge in two separate parts. We were inspired by Japanese wood joinery, “Sashimono”, and attempted to replicate it. Since the bridge will be weight bearing, we decided to reinforce the stability by securing the two components of the bridge (in white) with a screw in the centre and a platform (in black) at the bottom.
While waiting for our 3D prints for the assembly of the blade unit, we focused on the exterior of the machine and thought of ways to encase it.