MIE.14 – Automatic Robotic Screwdriver

• Juan Alanis
• Jeremiah Castle
• Liam Egan
• Abedelkarim Murrar
• Anthony Tran

In terms of automation in the industry, current costs and manufacturing of such systems create a high strain on budgets held by multiple consumers. At times this creates a split decision between automated or manual systems. The focus for team MIE 14 in automation is to reduce the cost of a hopper, feeder, and driver system, which currently holds an estimated industry cost starting near $40,000.00. Starting with the hopper, screws are oriented into a controlled fixed position with the use of geometry and vibration. Following the hopper, once the screw is oriented with the tip pointed downwards, it enters the feeder via a funnel/pipe opening where it is efficiently moved pneumatically into the driver which will perform the final drilling of the screw. Aside from reducing costs, the goal of this project is to effectively replace manual labor at an average rate of 10 screws per minute to reduce labor costs and provide a more budget friendly automated system at the risk of quality, speed, and control. The team strived to produce a proof of concept that is capable of being used interchangeably with a range of applications all while being as inexpensive as possible. While the team faced several challenges ranging from tolerances and rapid prototyping to implementation of electrically safe components and efficient coding, the team produced an inexpensive proof of concept to serve as an alternative to the much more expensive products already on the market.