Dr Patel also sees further potential in testing the conveyor system with variable shapes beyond the restrictive square, adhering to his original vision of allowing flexibility in manufacturing, sorting, and on the factory floor. The variables also extend beyond processing areas – “you can conceivably see these in a supermarket, for example, where fruits are constantly being shifted in and out of cold storage. I think it’s possible to adapt this for most rounded objects that require careful handling”. He often sees his role in overall processes as “background input and development”, though his role undoubtedly matters – both in the creation of functional new systems, and in enriching the future of the industry. The knowledge gained from experimenting with industry ideas and projects “is integrated into our lectures. The devices that we use become part of what we teach”, making Dr Patel partially responsible for continuously fostering New Zealand’s next generation of innovators. Dr Nitish Patel is a senior lecturer at the University of Auckland’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. His research interests include real-time systems, robotics and actuators as well as embedded and digital system design. * Terms & Conditions apply. www.engineeringnews.co.nz 27 W O R K S H O P FRUIT LOOPS: NEW DIRECTIONS TOWARDS EFFICIENCY New Zealanders regularly experience significant benefits from our agricultural industry. Beyond being a major contributor to our economy, the nation prides itself in our culture of innovation in agriculture – established in the 1930s with the invention of the electric fence, we remain continuously at the forefront of applying new technologies to increase efficiency. Improving efficiency requires results of high quality, which can be influenced during the interim steps in a process, such as the transportation and sorting of products – in this case, fruit – in post-processing areas of the factory floor. Dr Nitish Patel from the University of Auckland’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is currently tackling this challenge with the creation of a flexible conveyor system for sorting fruit of a rounded shape or size. Current conventional methods of sorting fruit in postprocessing areas utilise ‘continuous-belt’ technology, with products transferred in a singular direction on surfaces pulled by belts or chains. Image-processing and cameras are used to determine factors like bruises and irregularities, before groups of produce are triggered to ‘drop’ into specific areas. While effective, limitations include the singular motion, and the likelihood of damaged produce following the ‘drop’. Dr Patel’s solution, a result of his expertise in control systems, robotics, and mathematics, aims to tackle these issues simultaneously. The idea of maximising process efficiency has been through several different experimental incarnations. Because moving fruits on a single-plane, rigid surface does not remedy the need for multidirectional movement, Dr Patel experimented with sectionalisation. Actuators were fitted in multiple surfaces – or “plates” – so that different fruits can be assigned to separate sections to be individually controlled with a combination of smart software and hardware. This also takes advantage of gravity to relocate fruits to different areas of the multi-plane, flexible conveyor system. The result is a system that disregards current constraints for fixed entry and exit points, improving workflow and minimising overall costs when several sets of produce need to be moved to different locations, depending on the situation. The individual control of adjacent plates additionally creates a gentle By Dr Nitish Patel deposit on the assigned surface as opposed to a ‘drop’, thus useful in instances where careful handling is required. This opens up possibilities for maintaining the quality of softer produce, such as fruit at the end of their lives, subsequently minimising waste. Like many engineers, Dr Patel seeks to develop new ideas to solve existing challenges based on observations which “often become issues that wrap around your head”. This project emerged from interactions with former students and visits to factory floors, and developed into “niche, fun research to take on”. One of the academic challenges is within his penchant for finding solutions to things that contain irregular measures: predicting a path for asymmetrical fruit. Symmetrical products such as balls possess predictable movement patterns, but the case is different with fruit. Dr Patel argues that characteristics of a fruit can be judged based on its early motions, allowing shape to be inferred from the path it takes. With software to detect size, weight and volume, then making inferences based on how gravity affects movement, one can calculate density. A hollow piece of fruit, for example, can be separated from one of higher quality. The system thus poses opportunities for exploring new, technologically advanced methods of ensuring efficient quality control. First Break Metals have only recently started supplying New Zealand customers with a full range of stainless products, having responded to a market demand for a more cost-effective and responsive service. Significant engineering and industrial customers have since supported the company’s rapid growth, with high interest being shown nationwide. First Break Metals is constantly building its New Zealand stock levels for immediate supply out of Auckland or Christchurch, and are backed by one of Asia’s leading stainless companies - Sin Ghee Huat with 17 day indent supply ex. Singapore. • All stainless steel product supplied into New Zealand is sourced from European mills and comes complete with mill certification • Plate, pipe & tube, flanges, fittings - butt welded/forged, bars in various profiles • Full project management capability • Materials identification and traceability • Marine, food processing and industrial industries Contact us for personalised service that will save you time and money. +64 3 358 0804 +64 21 714 419 catriona.haines@firstbreak.co.nz “WIN A TRIP TO SINGAPORE” All orders placed between 1st October & 31st December 2016 go in the draw to win return flights to Singapore for two with 4 nights accommodation* Phone or Email us for a copy of our 2016 Product Catalogue The new customer driven stainless supplier with big plans for New Zealand
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