Transcript Link to ME 491 Humanitarian Project - Green Pigeonpea Thresher Manufacturing Instsructions (will open in a new window as a Microsoft PowerPoint file .pptx)

Green Pigeonpea Thresher For Guatemala
Project Background
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Team Members
Concept Development
Guatemala has the 4th highest rate of
malnutrition
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Design a device that will harvest
green pigeonpea
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Green pigeonpea is high in nutrients,
protein, and vitamins
•
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Ensure the device follows the local
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Small, table-top device
customs
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Aluminum
Pigeonpea is planted between rows of
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Interchangeable side panels and
Jonathan Bianchi | Alexandria Allman | Robert Cenowa | Sarah Parsons
gears for adjustability
corn and is growing in popularity
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Manufacturable in Guatemala
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Cost: ~ $150
Testing
Problem Statement
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Develop a mechanical device to thresh green pigeonpea
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Increase the peas threshed from 4 lbs/day to 100 lbs/day
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Thresher should accommodate a multitude of legumes
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Easily manufacturable in developing countries
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Low material and operating costs
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Targeted for use by small farmers in Guatemala
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Easily integrated into community
Professional Advisor:
Curt Bowen- Semilla Nueva
Faculty Advisor:
Dr. Brian Thompson
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Operation Cost: 88 cents
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Time to thresh 100 lbs of
peas reduced from 200
hours to 4.25 hours
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Final Design
Daily income for farmer
increased from $7 to $175
Moving Forward
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Begin testing on different
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legumes
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Mathematical Analysis
Manufacture permanent
safety features
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Improve device
adjustability
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Create instructions
for manufacturing
Implement device in
Guatemala
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Acquire data on
implementation
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Maintain contact with NGO
“Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice. Like Slavery and Apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. Sometimes it falls on a generation
to be great. YOU can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom.” – Nelson Mandela