Spring Week 3

During Week 3 the ESWxBoomitra team prioritized finalizing the prototype's sketches and design. After meeting at the Stanford Farm in Week 1 and looking further into potential designs throughout Week 2, our team has finally started moving forward with building a prototype of a portable shredder that can easily be handled by one adult and that will incorporate a simple, yet powerful motor. 

For the purposes of creating a functional prototype for the Week 5 presentation, we have decided that the initial prototype will mostly be built out of scrap cardboard and wood. As such, the motor that will be incorporated into the prototype will be significantly less powerful than the motor used in a finalized future design where the shredder will be made out of metal. Otherwise, the overall design of the prototype for this quarter should closely resemble the more robust designs that will be carried out for the shredder in the future. 

Scrap cardboard that will be used to build the prototype

Scrap cardboard that has been cut for the dimensions of the box (12'x6'x'6)

The design of the shredder currently has three main elements: the handle frame, the box holding the motor system and covering the blades, and an axel with specialized blades within the box. Although we have determined that the handle frame and the box itself can be made out of the scrap cardboard we've acquired, it was necessary for the items for the motor system that will spin the blades to be purchased on Amazon. These items include: a 12V DC motor, 1.5V batteries, an aluminum belt pulley, and ball bearings. Since items for the motor system have yet to arrive from Amazon, we might have to adjust the dimensions of the box to properly fit all the parts. 

A general illustration for the design and assembly of the prototype's handles

Motor dimensions necessary for the box design

In the upcoming weeks we expect to spend most of our time as a team in the product realization lab (PRL) putting together the prototype. With the Stanford Farm we have also clarified  the organic cotton seeds that can be used in their growing beds; planting of the seeds to begin measuring germination rates is likely to commence at the beginning of Week 4. ​​

Cotton seeds approved by the Stanford Farm.