Chapter 3: Materials and methods

3.1 Project Development Flow

Design of a
Sampaguita
Garland Machine

Project Planning

Is it NO
Feasible?

YES

Project Management

Designation of
Tasks A
 Review of
Related
A Literature

Material
Selection

Modeling and Simulation

Evaluation

Figure 13: Project Development Flow Program

3.1.1 Project Management

This process was done to determine the feasibility of the proposed project. All members of

the research group have been given tasks and were required to research more about the
topic so that they can contribute ideas to the project. In able to make the project flow more

organize, the researchers prepared a Gantt chart.

Task November December January February March

Development

Weekly 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

Activities

Brainstorming

and Researching

for Project Ideas

Project Proposal

Chapter 1:

Introduction

Chapter 2: RRL

Designing of

Project using

Solidworks

Chapter 3:

Materials and

Methods

Presentation of

Project Proposal

Figure 14: Gantt-Chart

3.1.2 Advising and Consultations

Before proceeding to chapter 1, the researchers asked for the advice and approval of their

instructor regarding the proposed idea of the project. After the idea has been accepted, the

researchers proceeded to chapter 1 and sought again for the advice of their instructor

regarding the objectives of the project. Also, chapter 1 and 2, and the patent search of the

project have been submitted to the instructor in case of revision.

3.1.3 Project Designing

The proponents of this project study conducted several meetings for brainstorming. These

brainstorming sessions have brought them to their final design. The mechanism of the

device, its power source, and some of its important components such as magnets and

switches are products of these brainstorming sessions.

3.1.4 Solidworks Modelling

The device has been designed using Solidworks. This part of project development is

essential since the mechanism of the design project has been analyzed in Solidworks by

motion study.
3.2 Materials Selection

Material selection is vital in designing a project. This is an essential method used for

determining the proper materials and components of a design project.

3.2.1 Needle

A 50 centimeters needle will have an essential role in this device. Its job is to pierce through

the peduncles of the sampaguita flowers and insert the abaca string into the peduncles. The

length of the needle was based on the length of an untied sampaguita garland which is

approximately 50 centimeters. This length is desired so that the needle will only need to

pierce all the sampaguita flowers with just one operation. AISI 430 stainless steel is the

preferred material for the needle since it is magnetic and corrosion resistant. The needle

needs to be magnetic since it will be held by a magnet. It needs to be corrosion resistant

since it will pierce through sampaguita flowers; the moisture from the flowers can greatly

accelerate the rate of corrosion. A non-corrosion resistant needle will rust easily and will

need frequent replacement making it more expensive than a corrosion resistant needle.

Also, the needle is designed to have slots and sharp points in both ends.

Figure 15: Needle

3.2.2 Bed

The bed is the part of the design which holds the sampaguita flowers before and during

operation. Also, ice can be placed inside the bed. The coldness coming from the ice inside

the bed will prevent the sampaguita flowers from withering. The bed’s length is 50

centimeters; this was based on the length of an untied sampaguita garland.

Figure 16: Bed

Figure 17: Length of an Untied Sampaguita Garland

3.2.3 Rotating Disc

This component is attached to the rotor shaft of the DC motor. Its role is to convert the

rotary motion of the rotor into linear or reciprocating motion that will deliver the needle

holders.

3.2.4 Connecting Rod

This element will connect the rotating disc to the slider where the electromagnetic holders

are attached.

3.2.5 Magnetic Holders

The design has two magnetic holders. These magnetic holders are electromagnets and

functions like a human hand; these will hold the needle during the manufacturing process

of sampaguita garlands. These electromagnets are made of copper wire coiled around an

iron rod which has a slotted end. The holders are electromagnets so that they can be switch

on and off. The first electromagnet will hold the needle during the piercing process. After

the needle pierced through the sampaguita flowers, the first electromagnet will be switch

off and the second electromagnet will be switch on. The second electromagnet will hold

the needle during the pulling process. When the needle is completely pulled, the abaca

string will also be completely inside the peduncles of the flowers.

3.2.6 Switches

The switches will activate and deactivate the motors and the electromagnetic holders. There

are separate switches for the motors and electromagnetic holders. The off switch of the

motor is placed at the ends of the fixed plane (the path in which the slider slides) so that

the motor will automatically stop when it reaches one end of the plane.

3.2.7 DC Motor

The DC motor will convert electrical energy to mechanical energy; this will make the

rotating disc rotate. Permanent magnet DC (PMDC) motor is the type of motor that will be

used on this device. The proponents of this study prefer to use PMDC motor because it is

cheaper than other DC motors and it is easy to regulate its speed.

3.2.8 Variable Voltage Power Supply (VVPS)

A variable voltage power supply will be the source of power of the motors. It will also be

used to regulate the speed of the motors. Batteries can also be used as a source of power

but, the proponents of this study prefer to use a variable voltage power supply first before

using batteries. VVPS will help the researchers determine the appropriate voltage needed

by the motor to obtain its desired speed.

3.2.9 Batteries

Batteries will be used for the electromagnetic holders. These batteries will give electric

current to the wires that are coiled around the holders thus producing a magnetic field.

3.3 Proposed Design

Figure 18: Designed Sampaguita Garland Machine

3.3.1 Exploded View