Line Marker Machine - Essay Example

Line Marker Machine Introduction Line marking machines have been used for decades to indicate directions and other signs on roads.In most applications, the machines have been used extensively to make permanent line marks on roads and sports arenas so as to guide the users of the facilities. In essence, line marking is meant to provide clear demarcations that indicate the appropriate and most accurate boundaries for the use of a given facility. In the recent past, outdoor sporting events such as athletics have been using roads. This means that the line markings for these events have to be temporary so that the road can still be used for normal traffic. Line marking machines have been designed to serve this function on temporary basis. The markings imply that they have to be easily removed after the event without interfering with either the road or the other permanent markings (Norman, 2002). Background Information Most of the machines that are presently available are basically able to make simple line markings. Ordinarily, these machines use emulsion based paints that may be of a variety of colors to make temporary road markings. The machines are used to mark lines on a road prior to an event so as to indicate the distance that the runners are required to cover. Notably, the temporary lines are of a different color that is not similar to that of the permanent road markings. In order to meet the needs of the evolving community, most sports organizers inadvertently require some level of customization for their event (Tinder, 2008). For instance, Olympics organizers may desire that the track covering the route of a race include various branding signage. These may include the iconic Olympic rings and the logos of the main event sponsor. Currently, the line marking machines available may not be able to paint a logo or any customized image on the road surface. Therefore, there is need for the design of a line marking machine that can be able to paint a logo on the surface of the track event at regular intervals. On top of this, it is necessary for the logo printing line marking machine to be easily modified for different jobs. For instance, it should be able to change the sign of the logo and color so as to suit various events. This implies that the design of the machine should be versatile and easily adjustable. Particularly, the painting area should have a mechanism that allows modification for adjusting the color and image to be painted on the surface. Current line marking machines require an external supply of power (Reid and Chris, 2010). In some cases, the line marking machines are connected to power generators. This means that they are expensive to run considering the added cost of acquiring a generator. In this design project, the line marking machine should be self-powering or be powered by a Quadbike. This is an important aspect of the overall design in order to reduce the total costs that are required to run the machine. For the line marking machine to produce its own power, it has to be equipped with a fuel engine that can supply power reliably. Machines that are frequently used for intensive activities require regular servicing. The line marking machine has several moving parts that need to be checked regularly. In order to ensure smooth operation of the machine, there is need for the design process to ensure that it is easy to reconstitute and clean. The detachable parts have to be easy to access so that the technicians can be able to clean and change them when need arises. Therefore, the process of designing the new line marker machine has to be cognizant of the dual requirements of durability and ease of use (Jackson, 2001). Product Design Specification 1. Performance 1.1 The line marking machine must be able to paint clear temporary line markings on a road surface. 1.2 It should make paintings of logos and other branding images. 1.3 The line marking machine should not damage the road surface or interfere with the permanent road markings 1.4 It should be easy to operate without the need for advanced knowledge 1.5 It should be to produce its own power or take it from the quadbike that is used for towing 1.6 When in use, it should not be noisy 2. Environment 2.1 The line marking machine should be able to withstand extreme conditions such as dampness and wetness of the road surface 2.2 The materials should not crack or wear out easily due to the tough environment 2.3 It should be able to make clear and consistent markings despite surface conditions 2.4 The machine should be able to withstand impact by stones, raised surfaces, and even potholes 3. Maintenance 3.1 The replacement of parts should be easy and simple without the requirement of specialized skill and tools 3.2 The replacement of a part should not interfere with the normal working of other parts of the machine 3.3 The parts that require lubrication should be easily accessible ideally within a minute or less. 3.4 Screws, bolts, and washers used must comply with international standards 4. Materials 4.1 The materials used should be strong enough to withstand the environmental conditions 4.2 Easily available materials should be used for the manufacture of the machine and the material should be easy to fabricate 4.3 The material should be of an appropriate weight without sacrificing on the strength. 4.4 The materials used should be resistant to corrosion, wear and tear 4.5 Electrical components used should have appropriate insulative or conductive properties 5. Ergonomics 5.1 Hand operated controls must be adjustable to be positioned at any height that is suitable to the user 5.2 Hand operated controls must not require excessive force of more than 3Nm 5.3 Controls should be distinguished by color or shape to reduce chances of confusion 5.4 Very little effort should be required to operate the machine 6. The weight of the machine should be kept at a minimum without compromising on the strength of the machine 7. The machine should be fitted with pneumatic wheels with inner tubes, maximum load of 90kg and maximum pressure of 2.5 bar 8. High performance by pass pump of twelve volts or more 9. The line marking machine should be fitted with an in line 50 mesh strainer with screw on bowl to allow for easy cleaning and replacement on the pump inlet 10. The spray arm should be fully adjustable and able to mark lines from 2.5-12cm line width and have side marking capability. The spray arm should also paint logos at intervals. Design concepts The process of product development involves the exploration of design concepts. Design concepts are vital in investigating the ways in which the product specifications can be achieved. It should be noted that design concepts are shaped by the product design specifications (Krishna, 2010). The final product should be able to meet the specifications set forth and the objectives of the project. Essentially, the objective of this project is to design a line marking machine that can paint logos. The machine should also be able to generate its own power or source it from the quad bike that is used for toeing it. On top of this, the line marking machine should be easy to clean and reconstitute for different jobs. In order to be able to paint logos, the new line marking machine should have two spray arms. The main arm is used to mark lines of different widths and shapes depending on position to which it is adjusted. The second arm is the one that will be used to paint the logos and images unique for every event. The design of the logo painting arm should be done in a way that allows it to make temporary markings on the surface. Ideally, the template logo of an event should be made in the size required first. Then, the template is fitted at the tip of the second nozzle where the paint comes from. When the arm is activated, the paint that comes through this arm should draw the two dimensional image of the logo at the tip. The paint comes out at the open parts of the template at the nozzle and thus creates an image. In the order for the line marking machine to be able to paint the logo at intervals, the two arms should be linked together. The two arms should be able to make rotary motions that can be adjusted to suit the intervals desired (Gregory, 2009). For instance, the line marking machine may paint a line of say a hundred meters and then the other arm paints the logo and the pattern is repeated. One way of regulating the rotary movement of the arms is through the use of electronic controls (Rubin and Chisnell, 2008). In essence, a chip may be installed in the machine to control the mode of rotation and the distances that the alternating marks are made. The machine should have a display and a keypad that is used to enter the desired distances and frequency. For instance, the user can specify the interval for the line marking before the other arm can paint the logo. Once the user has keyed in the instructions, the automatic electronic controls in the machine implement the instructions by regulating which arm is in operation. It should be noted that in this design, only one arm can be painting the surface at any given point. The electronic control should be configured to ensure that one arm is disabled when the other is active. Essentially, the arms should be rotated automatically such that one arm is raised above the ground when the other one is marking (Shaofeng and Boyle, 2010). The other design proposal for regulating the rotary mechanism is through a manual or mechanical process. In this case, the line marking machine operator decides on which arm is active. The arms should be designed and positioned in such a way that they can be manually moved. Operationally, this would mean that the operator will keep one arm in operation for a certain distance, then stop the machine and change the arm manually before restarting the movement of the machine. The operator decides the intervals at which the line and logo marking are going to be made. Imperatively, the two arms should be made in an easily movable manner so as to facilitate easy adjustment. In this design, only one arm will be in operation at any given time while the other arm is disabled from the position of making a painting on the surface. Ideally, the design can also include a gear mechanism that raises one arm and automatically lowers the other arm in a lever like operation. The operator of the machine will then use the gears after to choose the arm that makes the desired marking. Evaluation and selection of design Every design process has to be able to meet the product design specifications. In this project, the main specifications are the ability to paint a logo, ease of cleaning and repair and be able to generate its own power. The mechanical design has to be sound in order for the machine to perform in an optimum manner. The system’s interface should also be intuitive and it should also not require complex knowledge. In evaluating the design concepts, the issue of cost is of critical importance. An ideal design concept should be able to meet the specifications set forth and also be cost effective (Childs, 2005). In this regard, it is prudent to chose the most affordable and effective method to be used in coordinating the movement of the arms. The electronically controlled system is more accurate and convenient compared to the manual method of control. However, the process of designing and installing the electronic control is costly and requires multiple teams to implement. In order to meet the design specifications and be cost effective, the design concept that will be used is a semi-automatic control mechanism. In this regard, the controls will include buttons to select the desired arm as well gears to control the movement of the arms. In regards to the ergonomics, the machine has to be easy to operate for all the users (Reid and Chris, 2010). The usability of the new line marking machine should be a defining feature. To implement the design specifications of ease of use, the height of the controls of the machine will be adjustable. The control board buttons will also be colored so that a person can accurately operate the machine even in low lighting. The movable parts will also be easily detachable so as to allow for cleaning and the reconstituting of parts. It should be noted that the design process has to also make the machine visually appealing to the target market. The other important element of the design process is the availability of materials. It is prudent for the design concept utilize the appropriate materials that are locally available. The choice of local materials helps to improve the viability of the project and also reduce the overall costs of the project (Timbler, 2010). In this case, plastic and galvanized steel have been selected. These materials can be easily available and they can satisfy the strength requirements of the product. As noted in the product design specification, the line marking machine should be resistant to wear and tear. The other constraint of the design was that the design had to ensure that the final product is of an appropriate weight. Therefore, the selection of steel and plastic helps in meeting both specifications of strength and weight. Assembly Model Bill of Materials (BOM) 1. Frame Galvanised steel tubing (Triple coated zinc) Galvanised chassis plate Nut and bolt assembly The frame construction will not include any welds and the components can be interchanged by nuts and bolts. The handle bar will have different height positions adjustable The front axle is narrower than the rear for easier marking of circles during operation of the machine 2. Pumping system Shurflo Pump 50 mesh in-line filter PU piping of 6mm 3. 25 liter tank 4. Pneumatic tyres with inner tubes. 5. Motors 6. LED indicators 7. Batteries, charger and fuses 8. Diaphragm check valves 9. Pipe connections Bibliography Childs, P. 2005. Mechanical Design.Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann. Collins, J., Busby, H. and Staab, G. 2009. Mechanical Design of Machine Elements and Machines. New York: John Wiley and Sons. Gregoy, K. 2009. Principles of Engineering Design. New York: McGraw Hill Publishers. Jackson, G. 2001. Developing Subject Knowledge in Design and Technology: Developing, Planning and Communicating Ideas. New York: Trentham Books. Krishna, R. 2010. Design of Machine Elements. London: I.K. International Publishers. Norman, D.A. 2002. The Design of Everyday Things. New York: Basic Books. Reid, A. and Chris R. 2010. Create! Product Design Product Handbook. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann. Rubin, J. and Chisnell, D. 2008. Handbook of Usability Testing: How to Plan, Design and Conduct Effective Tests. New York: John Wiley and Sons. Shaofeng, L. and Boyle, L. 2010. Engineering design: perspectives, challenges, and recent advances. Journal of Engineering Design, Vol 20, Issue 1 pp.7-9. Tinder, R. 2008. Engineering Design of Machines. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Read More