Catch-up and the CAKEBOT: Final PoE Project

Hello again! 

It has been a while since my last descriptive post about my engineering journey though a lot has happened over the past few weeks, from PoE to We-Lab to W.E.S. to research talks. I almost have no time to blog -- almost no time... So, to get back on track with my documenting the experience, I am submitting a series of posts about all the new developments.

Olin's Principles of Engineering (PoE)

PoE has kept me extremely busy as the labs have become more and more challenging, moving from simple LED lights to a 3D scanner to Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) motor control. PoE is meant to give students a balanced background in both electronics, mechanics and programming -- in preparation for the final project. For the final project, students were allowed to form their own teams and project ideas, which created a frenzy throughout the classroom. People heckled and raced to find a spot on highly-coveted ideas or urge others to join them in an idea with little interest. All in all, I am very content with my decision as it combines both a favorite hobby (baking) and a serious engineering challenge. I present.... *drumroll* the CAKEBOT -- a robot that will frost and decorate actual cakes. Such things exist as it's how large manufacturing companies create such wonderfully designed baked goods (see below). However, our challenge is to create a simple mechanism that can do such variety of finishing designs on both the face of the cake and the sides. Just thinking about it sends chills down my spine.


Why This Idea?

Originally, I expressed interest in the idea of a Henna Tattoo 3D Printer, which would allow henna designs to be drawn on an individual's scanned hand, and the group grew to an incredible size, beyond the five-persons limit. As we all discussed the functionality of the "printer" and how it was inspired by cake-robots with similar nozzle mechanisms, the group split into 2 sister groups:
  • the HennaBot group would highlight how to mirror the technique of henna design and change depth according to the dents of a hand; and
  • the CakeBot group wanted to focus on creating a simplified version of large manufacturing machines and the different fine decoration techniques.
Fortunately, both groups became well-balanced in interest levels and the CakeBot group, specifically, had a member with a focus in each needed project area, i.e. MechE, Sensors/Electronics, Programming, Product Design, etc.

Questions and Issues:

I am always ready for a challenge though recognize my shortage of experience compared to my Olin, upper-class team members. Being the only Wellesley student on the team, transportation might present an issue but I always make do. For our first meeting, we are hoping to have a baked/decorated cake for inspiration on what allow our robot to do or not do. As seen in the video, some of these robots are very large, heavy duty machines for quick design but it seems a small-scale robot meant for local business would be more feasible. Additionally, a dual 2-axis machine that will allow top and side decorations will require some sort of mechanism for the cake to rotate and the 2 nozzles to change pressure and/or tips -- a large mechanical challenge. I have little interest in mechanical design but am willing to go outside of my comfort zone to learn a bit. Yet, I am sure my circuit/sensors/product design background will be just as needed. 

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