DESIGN CHALLENGE

External Pipe Climbing Device

Abstract:
Today technology is developing in the same direction in the
line with the rapidly increasing human needs. The work done to meet
these needs makes life easier every day and these studies are
concentrated in external pipe climbing device.

Acknowledgment:
Working on this project on “External Pipe
Climbing device” was a source of immense knowledge. We
acknowledge with deep sense of gratitude, the encouragement and
inspiration received from IMECHE society members.

Introduction:
This is a device which climbs up the outside of a piece of
15mm copper pipe lifting an increasing load in the form of a chain. At
the top, the device will reverse and return down and the top of the
device must pass or stop at the datum line (original starting position).

Apparatus:
1. 6v Gear motors
2. Nylon wheels
3. Clip Board
 4. Nut and Bolts
5. Rubber band
6. DPDT Switch
7. Jumper Wires
8. ON/OFF switch
9. Rechargeable cells 6V/2A

10. Glue

Cost Analysis:
Components Cost in Rupees
6v Gear Motors 200
Nylon wheels 800
Clip board 100
Nuts and Bolts 30
Rubber band 10
DPDT switch 30
Jumper Wires 30
ON/OFF switch 30
Rechargeable cells 250
Glue 20
Total 1500

Circuit Diagram of DPDT Switch:

Procedure:
First of all, we cut the clip board of length 6in and width of
5in.

After this we made holes in the board according to need.

We connected the motor with the wheel and pass through the whole.

We repeated this procedure for the second wheel.

We made third wheel adjustable.

We passed bolt in the wheel and then pass wheel through the hole.

We used glue to fix the motors.

We attached rubber band with third motor to make it adjustable.

We rolled rubber band on the wheel to increase the friction.

We attached the motors with the battery with the help of jumper wires
using soldering iron.

We introduced on/off switch and DPDT switch in series with the

battery.

We put DPDT switch on the top of frame or assembly so that it will

touch the top disc and made the polarity reverse.

ADVANTAGES:
 Saves manual effort

 Good gripping power.

 Can climb on pipes of variable diameters

APPLICATIONS (Pipe Climbing Robot):
 Pipe inspection in chemical systems

 Ship cleaning/inspection

 Welding robot

 Airplane cleaning and inspection

 Oil tank inspection

 Nuclear plant inspection

Conclusion:
It has been a matter of immense pleasure and honor to
have this opportunity to take up this project and complete it
successfully. While developing this project we learnt about the time
management. We also learnt about the team work. We also realized
the importance of maintaining minimal margin for error.