Automated Whiteboard Eraser

Rotational molding is a manufacturing process that is capable of fabricating hollow objects out of a thermoplastic material that is heated and rotated in order to form the desired shape. The primary advantages of this process are that it involves inexpensive tooling in comparison with other manufacturing processes that are able to fabricate similar parts; very little material is wasted while fabricating a part; a part can be fabricated quickly and easily; and the products made from rotational molding can be recycled, thereby satisfying industrial sustainability goals. These benefits make rotational molding ideal for prototyping and for creating parts that can be studied in Materials Science, Manufacturing, and Polymer and Composite Materials, where samples can be easily fabricated and the behavior and material properties of these samples can be studied. For this project, the objectives for the design and fabrication of the machine are to design and fabricate a device that is capable of rotation about two axes with a fixture capacity of up to 1 cubic foot, a variable heat source of up to 500°F, and a variable speed system with a range of up to 50 rpm for a total cost of under $1750