Applications and Implications




Assignment

Propose a final project that integrates a range of units covered. Projects can be separate or joint, but need to show individual mastery of all of the skills. Where possible, you should make rather than buy the parts of your project.

Learning Outcomes

Define the scope of a project.
Develop a project plan.

Think of your project plan as an "installation and implementation guide" for the future. How will others be able to make your project by reading your documentation?

Final Project Questions

What will the final project do?

AKSmoke will be a wood designed fish and meat smoker. It will be more of a personal designed one that will be for home use.

Who has done what beforehand?

Big Chief Smoker



Big Chief Smokers are probably one of the most popular smokers for home use. They are easy to work will and the company offers many different sizes.

Looking online for "wood fish smokers" will bring up a lot of people who have made their own home smokers so there can be potential to get advice and look up a lot of design options for my fish smoker.

What materials and components will be required?

  • 4'x8' Cedar Plywood
  • ~2 8' pieces of 2"x4" for framing
  • Sheet of extruded steel for racks
  • Drip Trays
  • Hinges for Doors
  • Electric Hot Plate
  • LCD Screen
  • Temperature Sensor
  • Multiple Electronic Components
  • Possible PLA material for housing of digital themometer

    • Where will the materials come from?

  • Wood supply will probably come from Home Depot, unless there is a good sheet of plywood around our fab shop. The hinges will be bought or possibly made from 3D printed material.
  • The extruded steel will be coming from a local shop and can get it for free!
  • I will find the drip trays from a thift shop and hopefully the electric hot plate.
  • The electronic components and PLA will be taken from the fab lab except for the temperature sensor. That will be taken from a food grade thermometer that has a thermistor on it.

    • How much will it cost?

  • Cedar Plywood Sheet, 4'x8': $30
  • 2 8' pieces of 2"x4": $8
  • Extruded Steel: Free, but if bought ~$25-$30
  • Drip Trays: Free, but can be found at local thrift shop for pretty cheap. Maybe $5 each.
  • Hinges: If bought, ~$10. Though could be cheaper if designed for 3D printer.
  • Electric Hot Plate: $18
  • LCD Screen: $7
  • Temperature Sensor: $22
  • Electronic Components ~$4
  • PLA: ~$5

    • TOTAL: ~$150, if you need to buy everything

    What parts and systems will be made?

    Wood Design
    The framing will be cut down from the 2x4s and the side paneling will be cut out on the shop bot after designs have been made in SolidWorks. A door will be attached so the fish can be loaded and a door on the bottom will be put in so that the chips can be changed out during the smoking process.

    Racks
    The racks will be cut down from the extruded steel to fit within the design and the drip trays will be placed beneath so it does not get onto the hot plate.

    Electronics
    All of the electronics will be built in the lab and the sensor will display onto an LCD display as to keep track of the temperature. I found a design for an arduino controlled BBQ thermometer so I could fab my own arduino and take it from there.

    Housing for thermometer and LCD
    If time permits, I will develop a housing to hold the temperature sensor and LCD and 3D print it.

    What processes will be used?

  • 2D and 3D Design
  • Computer Controlled Machining
  • Electronics Production
  • Electronics Design
  • Embedded Programming
  • Input and Output Devices
  • Embedded Networking and Communication

    • What tasks need to be completed?

    Everything needs to be done. Designs need to be drawn up and things need to be cut out. I will need to go shopping and begin to find all of the parts I will need.

    What questions need to be answered?

    Do I know enough to make everything work with eachother on the electronics side of things or would I need to seek advice to build the components and get them programmed correctly?

    What is the schedule?

  • May 31 - June 2: Design in SolidWorks and get 2D drawings for ShopBot
  • June 3 - June 5: Shop for stuff at stores and possibly begin framing
  • June 6 - June 7: Get designs for board and build arduino, cut racks out
  • June 8 - June 10: Program boards and make sure they work
  • June 11 - June 12: Put siding on that was cut out by Shopbot. Get door put on.
  • June 13 - June 14: Make sure racks fit and everything fits together.
  • June 15: Final Presentation

    • How will it be evaluated?

    Does the system work and does it hold the smoke in and flow out?
    Do the electronics work together and does the sensor provide and accurate enough temperature?
    And most importanly, does the fish taste good after smoking?