1. AUTOMATED ROD SINGULATION SYSTEM Student: James Welch Concentration: Mechanical Class: ET-494 Spring 2015 Instructor: Dr. Cris Koutsougeras Advisors: Dr. Mohammed Saadeh & Dr. Junkun Ma

2. Background Intralox: Custom Conveyance Solutions Common polymer conveyor belt assembly.

3. Extruded Polymer Rods Intralox uses an extrusion process to produce polymer rods of various diameter in lengths of up to 13 feet. The rods are then bundled together in quantities of 100 to 200.

4. Cutting of Rods Machine used to cut rods at specified lengths to meet customer needs.

5. Current Singulation Process Workers must sort rods from bundles and load approximately 20 at a time in to clip feeding device.

6. Challenges Bundles of extruded rods become tangled easily and will need to be separated. Device needs to be automated. System must handle various diameters and lengths of polymer rod.

7. Rod Singulation Device, Main Component Preliminary Singulation Device Design.

8. Component Models that Require Manufacturing Helical Separator Drive Shaft/Motor Adapter Motor Mount End Nut

9. Technical Drawings

10. Separator Components after Manufacturing

11. Preliminary Assembly of Singulation Device

12. Preliminary Model of Complete System Prototype frame with separator mounted.

13. Prototype System

14. Testing of Prototype System

15. Deliverables Test and troubleshoot prototype singulation system. Make necessary changes and revise 3D models. Design mounting bracket/system for singulation mechanism. Develop automated system for rod separator operation. Test automated operation and overall function of design. Revise all designs. Design frame to be manufactured from sheet metal. Cost estimation. Complete assembly and user guide.

16. Timeline January 9 – February 16: Assemble system into a working prototype and evaluate current operation results. February 17 – February 28: Update 3D model to match current modifications and design criteria. March 1 – March 9: Design mounting bracket with spring system, create 3D model and technical drawings. Send to Laitram for manufacturing. March 10 – March 20: Research and develop automated system using common PLC control used throughout Laitram. March 21 – March 28: Implement automated system on working prototype and troubleshoot any issues. March 29 - May 15: Finalize prototype design. Create final assembly model with sheet metal frame. Create assembly and operation manuals.

17. Overview Automated Rod Singulation System James Welch Design and model a system to sort and singulate polymer extruded rods. Update tested designs and develop mounting device. Design and develop completely automated control system and test on prototype device. Deliver final design including cost estimation, assembly manual and operation manual.

18. THANK YOU ANY QUESTIONS?