Sean Bullard

1
Current Bagging Machine
Chemical Bagging Machine

• Project Definition
• Bag does not fill with chemical consistently
• Machine requires constant attention by operators,
  maintenance workers, and engineers
• Many locations in the process where problems
  occur
• Photoeye
• Suction Cups
• Advancement rollers
• Grippers near filler
• Arm that moves bag to filler
• Conveyor belt that settles the chemical in the
  bag

Team 1 Sean Bullard Shane Campbell Matt
Eskridge Adam Kinzey
Sponsor Raj Samayan, Air Products and Chemicals
Advisor Mike Keefe, University of Delaware
Customers, Wants, and Target Values

• Initial Testing
• Our first test was to determine the location that
  caused the most problems
• We recorded the bagging machine in action and
  observed that the alignment process was where
  most problems began
• We measured the location of 25 bags on the table
• Final resting location fluctuated as much as ½
• Bag rotated as much as five degrees in both
  directions off center
• Therefore, our main goal is to reduce those
  inconsistencies
• The other problems with the bagging machine are
  going to be handled by Air Products once our
  changes are made

Mission Statement To determine which of the
locations causes the machine to shutdown most
often, develop a concept to improve that portion
of the process, test the concept to prove its
validity, and guide Air Products through the
installation, thus reducing overall downtime of
the bagging machine.
Concept Selection

• Final Testing
• Test to determine if slippage will occur using
  pneumatic slide
• 5 in/sec is the speed used currently at Air
  Products
• Test showed that at 5in/sec there was no slippage
  with a hard stop
• Test at UD to determine if slide will give
  sufficient control to meet target values
• Will allow us to be sure that the slide will stop
  at specified locations consistently
• Test at Air Products to determine if concept will
  work consistently
• We are going to test for three shifts once
  installed
• If it works better than current system we have
  satisfied sponsors wants

• Final Concept Description
• Leave aligning pins in contact with bag
  throughout its motion
• Linear actuator has been replaced with a
  pneumatic slide
• Did not want to change the footprint of the
  machine
• Pneumatic slide located on the table top (see
  drawing in bottom left corner)
• Tray will be used to keep the bag in control
  throughout movement and during suction cup
  squeeze
• System is reversible if Air Products does not
  like the idea

Based on these relationships we determined that
the best solutions are A Axial line actuator
with beam B Lateral Guide Rails C Logic
Changes
Final Design Drawing
Budget Status
Gantt Chart

• Original Estimate 4400
• Pneumatic Slide 1200
• Peripherals (Valves, Hoses, Sensors) 500
• Tray and Arm 250
• Alans Time Spent Integrating Solution 1 day
• Maintenance Installation Time 1 day
• Machine Downtime 2 days
• Everyone happy at the end Priceless