Clogger Stopper
Course
Design Thinking Communication II
Role
User-centered product designer
Skills
Prototyping, Testing, Sketching, Teamwork
Design Objective
Creating an automatic clog-prevention system for water jet hoppers.
My Learnings
I got to spend lots of time in the Ford Prototyping Lab, gaining hands-on experience with general hand tools and manufacturing machinery to translate my sketches into tangible prototypes. I integrated creativity in my approach to design through this project, learning how unconventional tools can be used to solve engineering challenges.
Problem Statement
Foreign materials get mixed in with the clean garnet in the water jet hopper in the Ford Prototyping Lab at Northwestern, causing the system to clog. Clogging the water jet would take two to three hours to fix, preventing the users from taking advantage of the machine.
Key Requirements
-Sifts garnet rapidly
-Easy to detach and assemble
-Prevents foreign material entry
-Stays on the hopper
-Not in the way of the hopper handle
Click on the video to see the Clogger Stopper in action!
The Design
The Clogger Stopper is an automatic system that sifts the garnet for the water jet machine to prevent clogging.
Using a massage gun to shake the sieve, the Clogger Stopper is an alternative to the current handheld sieve solution. Its frame sits on top of the hopper and is hooked to the hopper with carabiner.
The system also is lined with wired mesh to keep out any large items and objects that may accidentally fall in.
After transforming my initial ideas into sketches, we decided on an automatic system. I used the band saw, drill press, and metal sheet bending machine to create the final prototype, together with my team.
How Does It Work?
Click on the video to see how the Clogger Stopper is set up and used.