3.1.

7 Machine Control Project

ENGINEERING NOTEBOOK
Step 1: Define the Problem
Client Company  National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) 

Target Consumer:  Society 

Designers:  Aidan and Anthony 

Problem Statement:  The National Recreation Park Association (NRPA) has asked your team to 
develop a solution to a growing problem in their parks. The association has 
placed dumpsters for recyclable material throughout the parks. They have a 
sorting facility; however, they need a device that will sort the recyclable 
material. 

Design Statement:  Design, model, and test a device that will separate recyclable materials. 

Constraints:  1. Separation process must be fully automated. 

2. Must successfully separate commingled recyclable materials 
into individual holding bins. 
3. Recyclable materials include 3 different ½-in. material spheres 
totaling 15. Examples could include steel, aluminum, wood, 
opaque plastic, and clear plastic. 
4. Must be efficient—efficiency will be measured by which machine 
can sort the most materials accurately in 1 minute.  
5. Must be able to run “untethered” from the computer 
6. Must have a button that starts and stops the machine. 

Step 2: Generate Concepts

Step 3: Develop a Solution
-
We ended up using the idea where the weighted ball was dropped, and the others would be
sorted.

Step 4: Construct and Test a Prototype

- 3rd worked on the marble hopper at the front

- 4th worked on the lever system
- 8th better hopper
- 9th added lever to big plate, connected to sensor
- 11th added motor to knock off hopper.
- 12th-finished
- 16th-testing, we tried to speed it up
- 17th-showed our results
Our machine was 100% accurate over the course of 4 minutes

Step 5: Evaluate the Solution

- Did on classroom

Step 6: Present the Solution

“I will present informally in class as well as present this project on my portfolio.”