Design of a Device for Sorting Ball Bearings by Size and Material; The Effects of Automation

My technical project was to design and create an automated device that is capable of sorting ball bearings that vary in material and size. The device also dispenses the bearings into proper packing stations after sorting. The device must accurately sort two different sized ball bearings and three different materials, nylon, steel, and brass. Thus, there will be six different outputs of the device for each of the different ball bearings. The bearings are to be dumped into a hopper and at the press of a button the device is to sort the bearings by size and material. This device directly correlates with my STS research by studying the impacts of automated systems in warehousing. The device will automatically sort bearings and therefore remove the need for a human operator to manually sort the bearings. I plan to incorporate my research into my technical project by creating such a device that will improve the quality of work for laborers rather than eliminate the need for their involvement. Although the device is automated, it still requires a human operator to collect the dispensed bearings and load them into the device.

Capstone Project Summary
The technical project was to design, create, and test an automated device that sorts ball bearings. This device is aimed at reducing the repetitiveness and cumbersome task of sorting ball bearings based on their size and their material. The device is designed to sort three various types of material: steel, nylon, and brass, as well as two different size ball bearings, ¼” and ½”. Initially the bearings are poured into the device’s hopper by the user. Then when the device is powered on, the hopper opens at the bottom which releases the bearings and allows them to roll into a wheel that is used to raise the bearings to the top of a spiral like track. The wheel also increases the separation between individual bearings for the separation mechanisms. The bearings are first sorted by size using a hole that allows the smaller bearings to drop down onto their own track, where each track has identical sorting mechanisms. Next, the nylon bearings are sorted out using conductivity, as both steel and brass bearings are conductive, and nylon is not. An actuator then diverts the nylon bearings but allows the steel and brass bearings to continue down the track. Lastly, magnets are used as a passive diverter to pull the steel bearings onto a separate track and allow the brass bearings to continue to the final packaging station. This type of device could be used in a range of different industries such as warehousing, auto manufacturing, and other various types of assembly lines that use automated technology to increase efficiency.

STS Research Paper Summary
As technology advances through complex mechatronic systems, automated processes are improving and being implemented to increase profitability and efficiency in the warehousing industry. Automated technology has reshaped industry by transforming labor dynamics, economic growth and overall efficiency. This research paper aims to investigate the effects of automation within the warehousing industry through the Science and Technology theory of Soft Technological Determinism. This theory draws connections between the advancements of technology and the impacts on society that explores the connections between technological advancement and social change. By analyzing historical trends and case studies in the industry, this study explores how automation has shifted from an enabling tool to an entrenched system influencing labor practices and standards. The working conditions of the remaining human labor are impacted by industry standards and are being reshaped to adapt to the increased productivity of the automated machinery. This highlights the path of soft technological determinism and argues that automation is reshaping society but considers various other factors involved. Automation has the potential to change labor dynamics in a positive manner without mass unemployment and deskilling. The effects of automation are dependent on how it is implemented in the industry. This research is significant in technological determinism as investigating the fast-moving technology and its trajectory can lead to greater understanding of how technical systems evolve over time and not only reshape the industry but also society.

Concluding Reflection
By working on both of these projects concurrently, much was learned when considering the implications and effects of engineering design on society. When designing the automated device, the objective was clear; automatically sort items and dispense them. However, by researching the impacts of automation it becomes evident that there is much more that needs to be considered when designing and developing new technologies. Although the impacts could seem negligible during the design phase, considerations for societal impacts should be accounted for every step of the way. While automation has helped workers perform labor intensive tasks and increase workplace safety, it has also been used to replace human workers entirely. This was taken into consideration when first planning the ball bearing sorter device and the intent was to help workers, not replace them. Instead of replacing workers, the device shifts the job role to one that is less labor intensive and allows workers to acquire new skills by maintaining and operating such a device. The research on the implications of automation on warehousing has granted societal thinking skills that have then been transferred into the design of an automated device. Completing the projects together allowed for more in-depth analysis of the potential impacts of new designs and further considerations of how new technologies could be used for purposes other than what was originally intended.

School of Engineering and Applied Science

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Technical Advisor: Natasha Smith

STS Advisor: Bryn Seabrook

Technical Team Members: Lindsey Bice, Michael Chesterman, Samuel Coleman