Design Overview
Aim
To create a spice rack that securely holds a selection of spice jars and incorporates motorised rotation for convenient access, while embracing the additional challenge of avoiding integrated circuits or computerisation in its design.
Key Features
- Storage: Designed to organize and securely hold multiple spice jars.
- Motorization: Capable of precise 90° rotation to ensure easy access to all jars.
- Challenge: The control system uses only electromechanical switches, eliminating the use of integrated circuits or computational components, adding a technical challenge.
Design Process
- Base, Turntable, and Jar Holder Design
- The structural elements, including the base, rotating turntable, and spice jar holders, have been designed for stability, functionality, and ease of use.
- The turntable is engineered for smooth operation, ensuring precise and efficient 90° rotation.
- Electromechanical Control System
- To push the boundaries of the design, the control system intentionally avoids modern integrated circuits and computational control.
- Instead, the system relies on electromechanical switches to manage the motorized rotation, requiring innovative solutions to achieve functionality using only mechanical and electrical components.
- Prototyping and Testing
- Key components of the design have been test printed to evaluate their fit, alignment, and structural integrity.
- Initial testing focuses on refining the interaction between the base, turntable, and jar holders to ensure smooth motion and secure storage.
Current Status
- The base, turntable, and jar holder designs are complete and undergoing initial testing for performance and stability.
- Development of the electromechanical switching system is in progress, with a focus on creating a reliable mechanism to achieve precise motor control.
Future Steps
- Finalise the electromechanical switch design to enable smooth and accurate 90° rotation.
- Assemble and test a complete prototype to evaluate overall functionality and identify areas for improvement.
- Optimise the system for ease of use and durability while maintaining the core design challenge of avoiding computerised controls.
By taking on the additional challenge of avoiding integrated circuits, this project not only achieves a functional spice storage solution but also explores creative engineering approaches in electromechanical design.
TL Weston 