DEFINE PHASE
Phase one of five progressive phases
PHASE SUMMARY
The Define Phase is the first phase in the project. Throughout this phase, the group researched the topic and met with the project stakeholder to define the problem at hand and begin to utilize problem solving skills to realize a potential solution. The group also spoke with the stakeholder to determine what he desires, what could realistically be achieved, and how the group would accomplish those tasks. From there, the team established that they would build upon the previous year's project by making a more functional Oil Palm Harvester that has the potential to reach a height of up to 40 feet and remove Oil Palm fruit from an Oil Palm tree.
PROBLEM DEFINITION
Oil palm is a versatile and efficient byproduct of Oil Palm Trees. There is a plethora of everyday items that are byproducts of the fruits of this tree. The problem with Oil Palm is that it is extremely difficult to harvest, and there are no current widely used methods of harvesting that do not come with some sort of problems or difficulties associated with them. One of the main ways of harvesting is to have someone climb the Oil Palm tree with a rope around their waist. This is problematic because the trees grow up to 40 feet high and are lanky, so they tend to blow with the wind. Another method is to use a long blade to saw down the fruit, but this is also risky because the fruit can fall and strike the worker. This makes the job extremely dangerous, and as counties develop and people become more educated, there are less and less people who are willing to perform this dangerous and strenuous work.
PROJECT SCOPE
The 2017-2018 Oil Palm Harvester Senior Design team will design and build an Oil Palm Harvester that is an improvement from the current harvesting methods and previous year’s mechanism. To do so, the team will improve upon previous years’ projects and design a mechanism that is functional, safe, stable, efficient, easy to transport, and cost effective. This would be accomplished by implementing a new elevation mechanism made of T-Slotted metal beams made from a light-weight and durable material to make for a lighter mechansim. Also, cables will be added for additional support and to move the beams up and down. This will allow the mechanism to have the potential of reaching the desired height. The group will also work to improve the base of the mechanism by adding weight for additional stability and improved wheels to improve the mobility over the rough terrain of a forest. These changes will make for a better and more functional mechanism. Through these improvements, there is a possibility of increased productivity in harvesting, improved profitability for the plantation owners, better working conditions for the laborers, and cheaper products for the consumers.
