My experience behind the engineering process of developing a solution for transferring baggage for airports.

Project Role

Administrative Manager

Mission

Develop a mechanism for transferring baggage from one point to the other.

Project Context

Timeline: Oct 8, 2024 - Dec 5, 2024

Figure 1. Final Mechanism Design

Project Narrative

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The Problem Statement: Design an efficient passenger check-in and luggage transfer system for a modern airport looking to expand their efforts. The system must handle passenger and luggage verification and transfer luggage from the conveyor belt to the plane seamlessly.

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Project Objectives:

• Efficient
• Reliable and Accurate
• Modular: Easy to assemble and produce new parts/solutions
• Cost Effective

Constraints:

• Mechanism must operate behind the restriction line
• Limited Material
• Must feature a linear actuator and/or rotary actuator

Team’s Work and Personal Contributions

Team’s Work:

• Brainstorming sessions to develop an efficient baggage handling mechanism.
• Designed and iterated the hinged ramp mechanism with inputs from all team members.
• Divided responsibilities based on expertise: coding, CAD modeling, and fabrication tasks were assigned to ensure efficient workflow.
• As a team we worked to complete major team milestones together.
• Worked on the flowcharts for each function together:

                           These programs’ flowcharts were done as a group

Personal Work:

• Graphical Function
• Overweight Function
• Linear Actuator Mount Original Design
• Original L Shape Connectors
• 3D Printed and supported all parts
• Preliminary Gantt Chart

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Reflection

I recognize how important adaptability and questioning assumptions are in overcoming challenges. Initially, our mechanism featured screws to secure the top ramp, but instead we transitioned to an adhesive, which left me questioning why we took this approach when the adhesive failed during examination when an abrupt load landed at a weird position on the ramp. This lead me to reevaluate the choice in material and understand the importance of asking pivotal questions like “will the adhesive even hold this weight”. These steps could have improved the reliability in our design.

Another key moment of realization was when the initial ramp design wouldn’t reliably transfer load from one side to the other due to the linear actuator’s limited reach. Very evidently, this issue stemmed from a lack of testing and miscalculation when modelling parts. Early testing of components could’ve prevented this setback and only taught me and my group the value of planning and iterative prototyping to ensure effective designs.

Skills

• AutoDesk Inventor
• Python Programming
• System Integration: combining software and hardware components into a cohesive system
• Time management skills
• Teamwork and Collaboration