Mech Eng Final Year Project discussion

Dermighty

I would like to build a scaled replica of a reactor vessel, eg from a pharamaceutical plant. The tank would have a product in it, being agitated by a stirrer and the product will be pumped in cold and pumped out hot (relatively speaking). The tank will have a water jacket around it, through which water will be pumped to cool it, using a pump and a vacuum.

I'd like to connect this apparatus to a PLC or something suitable in order to maintain the temperature (or temperature range) in the tank using Labview.

Ive drawn up a few sketches to give myself an idea of what it will contain. I'm not sure where to start, design the rig, sort the control side first. I'm new to engineering from this perspective, where you do the whole thing from scratch. Any advice would be welcome.

I know it'll be tough but it's exciting at the same time.

kirving

Before I finished the second line of your post, I had LabVIEW in mind. Project orientated experience in LabVIEW is a great thing to have before leaving college.

It might be a good idea to speak to one of the lab techs in college, about the possibility of building the Rig so that it can be used as experimental apparatus. They'll be able to give you a good idea of what kinds of experiments would be done on it, and what instrumentation and control systems you'd need. Aside from the LabVIEW, 3D design, electronics, manufacture, standards which you must conform to, considerations, etc, an employer will see that you've worked as part of a team with lecturers and lab techs to build a product which is actually used. On the face of it it looks like a well rounded project, especially if you can work with others towards a defined goal.

Dermighty

Kevin Irving wrote: »

especially if you can work with others towards a defined goal.

Nobody else is that interested, ironically. Most people want to so projects related to cars :P I kind of feel like doing it myself, though that may end up being my downfall, both on paper and in terms of the workload.

kirving

I don't necessarily mean other students, but if you could get a set of defined goals say from a team of lecturers/lab techs in the fluids department for example, it will give your project more credibility. There's no point building a project just because you can, you need an end goal.

Have a look at my sig, I built a race car in my final year with a group of my classmates. It may as well have been a machine that makes coke cans from an employers perspective, it just so happened to be a car. The point about the FYP is that it's your chance to show how you really work as part of a team, as you'll be doing in employment.

Dermighty

I understand. Thanks, getting a list of goals is a great idea.

My motivation for doing this project is wanting to do something relevant to industry while still doing something that I found interesting, also having a self contained system appeals to me.

Turbulent Bill

Dermighty wrote: »

I understand. Thanks, getting a list of goals is a great idea.

My motivation for doing this project is wanting to do something relevant to industry while still doing something that I found interesting, also having a self contained system appeals to me.

Make sure that the scope and effort required for the project don't exceed what you should devote to it. In most degrees the FYP isn't the major component of your final mark, yet people give it disproportionate time and effort. It's easy to do when you're interested in the topic and it's on your mind.

Knowing the relative value of your time and effort is a very valuable skill for any employer. I'd rank it as more important than an individual technical skill, which most engineers can pick up quickly (like LabVIEW).

kevohmsford

Sounds like a great project. I know a few people working in this area. Best to get some information from some relevant companies. I will help you if I can.
Design and build is the best way to get a graduate job.
I used a bit of Labview to control a Stepper Motor to drive a lead screw. This project was Masters level but I learned so much.

Dermighty

kevohmsford wrote: »

Design and build is the best way to get a graduate job.

Yeah I'd be of the same mind, seems like the best way to get all the acquired skills into one effort.

Yeah they warned us that some people do awesome projects and not much else and end up failing.

The official title is a "chemical dryer". I was lucky enough to get one of the best in the college as a project supervisor, or so I've been told. Looking forward to getting stuck in.

This is the core of the project, never saw one before :P

Newtown90

I really hope you got Bernard or Tony for this project... They would be the best in my eyes for this kind of project and have the links in the pharma industry to get you the help if needed.

Dermighty

Glenviewjf wrote: »

I really hope you got Bernard or Tony for this project... They would be the best in my eyes for this kind of project and have the links in the pharma industry to get you the help if needed.

Keith, his reputation preceeds him :rolleyes:

Newtown90

Dermighty wrote: »

Keith, his reputation preceeds him :rolleyes:

No comment

mawk

Dermighty wrote: »

Keith, his reputation preceeds him :rolleyes:

A reputation proceeds him in any case..


He is proper smart though.

Dermighty

mawk wrote: »

A reputation proceeds him in any case..


He is proper smart though.

Yeah, I heard there's a lot of "show up at 1pm...oh it's 1pm sorry I've a class/I'm too busy, f*ck off"

Newtown90

mawk wrote: »

A reputation proceeds him in any case..


He is proper smart though.

Not his biggest fan, don't like his sense of humour either.

But when he wants to be helpful he can be helpful.

Best of luck with your project though mate, it's much more appropriate than some of the METs projects undertaken in recent years.

Dermighty

Glenviewjf wrote: »

Not his biggest fan, don't like his sense of humour either.

But when he wants to be helpful he can be helpful.

Best of luck with your project though mate, it's much more appropriate than some of the METs projects undertaken in recent years.

Thanks, I'm looking forward to getting stuck into it!

mawk

Glenviewjf wrote: »

Best of luck with your project though mate, it's much more appropriate than some of the METs projects undertaken in recent years.

It's a rugby ball launcher for launching rugby balls at rugbies..

Dermighty

mawk wrote: »

It's a rugby ball launcher for launching rugby balls at rugbies..

It's actually a trailer for transporting rugbies

Nukem

Dermighty wrote: »

I know it'll be tough but it's exciting at the same time.

That's a cool project and you hit it on the head with the above comment.

It's completely doable though and there is a lot of information on the web (google lab glass lined reactor or stainless steel lab reactor). There are even some great companies that have a basis in Ireland that' you could ring up and ask them to donate some old equpment or just simply ask for info (e.g. Mason Technology)

Is it Keith, that's Dr.Keith - if it is,your fine. Guy taught me years ago and know of him from outside the college life, guy is razor sharp, but be straight with him and be mindful that his humour can be an acquired taste for some.

First things first. As other posters have said, define your scope and objectives - be mindful of your above comment. Keep it simple and have a 'real' deliverable result that you can achieve.

Best of luck and keep us posted