Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

Faculty of Engineering, UNIMAS

KNP 3493 Engineering Design 2
2018/2019 Semester 2
GROUP PROJECT (65%)

Aim: To develop floating solid waste collector

Objectives: The student will be able to

1) Analyze complex Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering problems using machine
components relevant theories and procedures.
2) Conduct investigation into complex Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering problems
utilizing engineering problems utilizing systematic approach to provide valid solutions.
3) Present effectively on Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering activities using
effective presentations and written reports.
4) Function effectively as a member or leader in a team to manage project and in
multidisciplinary environments.

Project Scenario:
According to The Ocean Cleanup researchers, every year rivers from all around the world transport
between 1.15 and 2.41 million tonnes of plastics waste to the ocean. Two-thirds of the input comes from
the 20 most polluting rivers and most of it are located in the Asian continent. Basically most of the
plastics found in the oceans originates from land-based sources. The rivers are transporting mismanaged
plastic waste from land into the ocean. Cleaning them up is the hard part because that can be a costly,
involved wide-ranging area and time-consuming project, especially if the waste is not eradicated at
source.
In addition, several rivers in Sarawak are contaminated with waste and dirty substances. An
example, Figure 1 shows Tabuan river that is chock-full of household waste. The rivers are no longer
able to support well-functioning ecosystems. Sufficient level of dissolved oxygen is vital for most forms
of aquatic life, including fish, but extensive pollution from riverside households and industries can
drastically reduce those levels. Fertilizers and other chemical pollutants, which are often directly
dumped into rivers or else leach away from nearby farms and factories, pose striking dangers to the
health of rivers. As results, many species of fish and aquatic plants in these rivers are dying off.
Therefore, this project aims to remove solid waste from the Sungai Sarawak by creating a remote-
controlled floating solid waste collector. The waste will be collected before reaching the ocean. In order
to achieve the stated aims, the solid waste collector has to function as follows:
1. The device should be able to collect floating solid waste efficiently. The collection of solid
waste from the water surface can be lifted and tipped directly into a skip or shore side receptacle
for disposal.
2. Moveable device that can reach the minimum speed of 0.2 m/s. The device will be deployed
within 1km to and from the released point.
3. Robust design which is able to work in tidal river for instance is ability to withstand high tide.
Figure 2 shows an example of weekly Sungai Sarawak tide forecast.
4. Strong structure that is able to carry minimum 100 kg load without fail.
5. Stable design that flexibly able to carry various load sizes and weights.
6. The device should not be harmful to the living creatures on the surface as well as inside the
river.
 7. Secure platform that can accommodate control panel, power source, actuators, electronics
devices, sensors, etc.
8. Compact in size so that the device can easily store. Maximum storage volume of the device
shall not exceed 1m3 (1m x 1m x 1m).

Figure 1: The Tabuan river is chock-full of household waste.

The department of Research and Development (R&D), consists of teams from different
backgrounds working on the project. You are members of Mechanical Engineering team working under
the same project that mainly responsible to design the chassis and transmission system. All teams are
complementing each other and working concurrently within the specified module boundaries and
dateline. Then, all modules will be integrated and become a complete design. The module development
must include detail analysis of the specific requirement as listed below:
1. Failure prevention analysis:
- Static loading and variable loading
- Selection of material and sizing of the platform

2. Mechanical elements:
-shaft
-bearing
-permanent or non-permanent joints
-rigid or flexible power transmission device
 Figure 2: Sungai Sarawak weekly tide-forecast (7/2/2019-15/2/2019). Source https://www.tide-
forecast.com/locations/Sungai-Sarawak-Malaysia/tides/latest
Deliverables:
1) Presentation [20 marks]
 Oral presentations will be 20 minutes for each group.
 Scale model/ simulation/ promo video presentation.
 Project presentation on 2nd May 2019

2) Report [40 marks]

 Each team is required to submit a report (not more than 30 pages and written in your
own words).
 Cite all sources of information. Similarity index should not exceed 30%.
 Analysis of mechanical elements should be discussed in detail.
 Conceptual sketches should be scanned and include as appendix.
 Detail drawings are prepared in title block (A4 size) and follow BS8888 standard.
 Written reports and log book should be submitted on 9th May 2019 before 5 p.m at the
main office.

3) Peer Assessment [5 marks]

 Each member is required to evaluate and rank the team mate according to their
contribution. Justification of ranking must be specified.

Further reading materials

1. https://waste-management-world.com/a/upto-2-4m-tonnes-of-waste-plastics-transported-to-
the-ocean-by-worlds-rivers-annually
2. https://cleanmalaysia.com/2017/09/11/rivers-sarawak-dead/
3. http://www.bluebird-
electric.net/oceanography/Ocean_Plastic_International_Rescue/River_Trash_Skimmers_Skip
s_Waterways_Cleaning_Work_Boats.htm