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Paper Recycling Machine - CAD Design
In a group project, I led the ideation and testing phases to create a CAD model of a compact paper recycling machine.
Industry
Industry
Environmental
Environmental
Hours
Hours
7
7
Skills
Skills
Prototyping, 3D-Printing
Prototyping, 3D-Printing
Prototyping, 3D-Printing
Challenge
Our team designed a paper recycling machine that could transform dirty, crushed paper into clean, recycled sheets through a compact, efficient process. My role involved the ideation and testing of the machine’s workflow, focusing on integrating each recycling stage—breaking down paper, creating a mushy pulp, placing it in an epoxy-lined tray for shaping, and drying it into fresh sheets.
The main challenges included optimizing each step for small-scale functionality while ensuring efficient spatial arrangement and sustainable material use. I concentrated on refining the pulping mechanism for consistency and designing a drying system that would yield smooth, finished sheets. Additionally, I collaborated with teammates to ensure the system was user-friendly and practical for real-world applications.
Results
Our CAD model successfully demonstrates a compact, closed-loop recycling process. In the final setup, the machine transforms dirty, crushed paper into pulp, shapes it in an epoxy-lined tray, and dries it to produce clean sheets. A video walkthrough highlighted each stage, earning our project 2nd place for Best Sustainable Design in the competition.
This experience deepened my understanding of sustainable design and process efficiency. Leading the ideation and testing phases enhanced my skills in CAD modeling and teamwork, while the competition setting emphasized the importance of practical, eco-friendly engineering solutions.
Challenge
Our team designed a paper recycling machine that could transform dirty, crushed paper into clean, recycled sheets through a compact, efficient process. My role involved the ideation and testing of the machine’s workflow, focusing on integrating each recycling stage—breaking down paper, creating a mushy pulp, placing it in an epoxy-lined tray for shaping, and drying it into fresh sheets.
The main challenges included optimizing each step for small-scale functionality while ensuring efficient spatial arrangement and sustainable material use. I concentrated on refining the pulping mechanism for consistency and designing a drying system that would yield smooth, finished sheets. Additionally, I collaborated with teammates to ensure the system was user-friendly and practical for real-world applications.
Results
Our CAD model successfully demonstrates a compact, closed-loop recycling process. In the final setup, the machine transforms dirty, crushed paper into pulp, shapes it in an epoxy-lined tray, and dries it to produce clean sheets. A video walkthrough highlighted each stage, earning our project 2nd place for Best Sustainable Design in the competition.
This experience deepened my understanding of sustainable design and process efficiency. Leading the ideation and testing phases enhanced my skills in CAD modeling and teamwork, while the competition setting emphasized the importance of practical, eco-friendly engineering solutions.
