Department - Author 1
Mechanical Engineering Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Mechanical Engineering
Date
6-2016
Primary Advisor
Joseph Mello
Abstract/Summary
We were tasked by Micro-Vu to design, build, and test a small-scale low-cost metal chip separator to operate on one of their 24/7 mills. The goal of the project was to separate the steel and aluminum chips coming off of the mill’s chip conveyor to end up with a bin of 99% pure aluminum by mass. To accomplish this goal we first brainstormed various possible ideas and performed small scale tests the best ones. After further review we determined the best solution to this problem was a design that involved a cycling magnetic backing that would pull steel out of the flow and drop it into a separate bin. To prove our concept we build a small scale wooden mockup. After running various tests using this mockup we determined that our design was a viable solution to the problem. We then moved on to completing our final design and building the prototype. In the end the prototype was fully functional and in testing was able to separate metal chips and achieve a separation rate of 92-99% separation by mass.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/mesp/337
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