Design and Analysis of a Desktop Fiber Manufacturing Device

Abstract

This thesis analyses a Desktop Fiber Manufacturing Device and discusses design changes to expand its functionality and usability. This extrusion device consists of an extruder that pushes a preform, hot glue stick in this case, into a heater. The softened preform can then be drawn into fiber that is then spooled after being cooled through a water bath. Design changes have been made to make the height of the extruder and the distance of the spool easily adjustable using easy reattachment mechanisms and bearings. The extrusion system has also been modified to allow repositioning of the idle extrusion gear to allow the device to extrude fiber from preforms of different diameters. The spooling system has been improved by making the spool easily removable and to increase the run-time of the device. A different way of distributing the manufactured fiber over the spool has also been explored and a wire management system has been implemented. Power and Tension sensors have also been implemented and the data collected from them have been analyzed. Additionally, the performance of the fiber extrusion device has been studied and the effects of the different motor speeds on the manufactured fiber’s diameter has been analyzed to identify settings that can reduce variation. These modifications expand and build on the current device to further develop it as a platform for education and research related to manufacturing, data analysis, controls and design.