GROUPCHALLENGE - SORTING MACHINE
COMPETITION
Four weeks of working, headbanging, teamworking and very little sleep.
Kachelcross is an annual competition in which the third semester is divided into small groups and confronted with a seemingly unsolvable task. The task is to work as a team to find a solution and to submit a Lookslike and a Workslike model. Finally, the teams compete against each other in a public event and are judged according to different categories.
TASK
Development of a fully automated sorting and packaging machine
Sort 200 ping pong balls according to their defective appearance. There are 10 broken balls and 10 black balls to sort out. Then pack them in a package of 10 balls each. Everything should be done completely autonomously.
WORKSLIKE
The biggest challenge was to create a truly functional Workslike.
SEARCHING
A SOLUTION
After going through and testing several possible solutions, we finally decided to use and develop an artificial intelligence to sort the balls.
DIVISION OF WORK
While half of the team worked on developing the AI, the other half worked on planning and implementing the Workslike model. The given budget was 800€, which not only covered all the construction materials, but also motors, sensors and Arduino computers.
LEARN FROM MISTAKES
Not everything worked the first time and usually required a second try. It was not uncommon for the best solutions to be discussed and for many ideas to be discarded after a while.
WORKSLIKE MODEL
The most accurate sorting machine that continues to evolve
After the balls are separated, they are inspected 360 degrees by an AI-controlled webcam and then sorted. If it is a good ball, it is forwarded, packed with 9 other balls and ejected.
LOOKSLIKE MODEL
Development of a design suitable for industrial use, but with a nod to the futuristic use of AI.
In addition to building on the Workslike, we were also working on the design of our machine. It had to match the brand identity we had chosen.
MAIN GOALS
Transparency
EASY MONITORING
Compatibility
EASY INTEGRATION
Ergonomics
USER-FRIENDLY WORK
Durability
LONG LASTING, KEEPS EVOLVING
BRAND IDENTITY
The task was to create a suitable brand identity for our machine.
The Artificial Intelligence Machines brand stands for making advanced technology for an industrial context. It was implemented in design, packaging and team outfits.
FUNCTIONS
Industry standards combined with the latest technology
MAKING AI TRANSPARENT
Even though the artificial intelligence is extremely precise and error-free, the user should always be able to understand what is happening inside the machine and easily intervene in case of an emergency. To this end, the sliding door is easy to open and the individual AI boxes can even be removed separately.
DESIGN LANGUAGE
The design is adapted to the industrial context. The machine can be integrated directly into existing production lines. The shape has a corresponding direction and the design language is clear and modern.
SIMPLE INTEGRATION
In addition to easy integration into an existing production line, the machine has fold-out roller belt connections and a forklift recess for easy transport.
UI/UX
Ease of use and intuitive machine operation.
​Especially with the very futuristic topic of AI, usability should be especially high to accept, understand and work with this latest technology.
PROTOTYPING
In addition to a full-size Workslike model, we modeled a 1:10 Lookslike model.
3D PRINT
The model was printed in 43 parts and then post-processed and covered to give a very detailed impression. This allowed us to open the sliding door on the model to better show the interior.
PRECISION IN DETAILS
Not only our AI-based machine, but also our work in the form of models, designs, or brand identity is based on the goal of high precision.
OUR TEAM
Our team consisted of seven students, some of whom knew each other before, while others became friends during the project. We all gained the most from working as a team and were always happy to work together again after this intense time.
COMPETITION WINNER
-Innovation Award
-Design Award
-Brand Identity Award
On the day of the presentation we, the team "AiM", could convince not with the fastest, but with the most precise machine. We also won the competition in all design-oriented categories and thus achieved the overall victory.
