1.

Guidelines
1.1.

Document Set-up

1.1.1.

Cross-reference etc.

Use this document, with the settings I have hear. Cross-reference everything, use the
reference manager, leave the formatting of tables blank (colours etc.) and Ill make
them all look the same after. Any questions about formatting ask me, but we all know
how it should be done at this stage.
1.1.2.

Word Count etc.

The complete document is limited to 1200 words excluding the Appendices, put as
much stuff into tables etc. as you can and put them into the appendices. Use the
appendices style. Dont go over your word count.

1.2.

Product Scope

The smart feeder is to be designed to automatically dispense feed to livestock in remote

locations. It is to be transportable and simple and should cater to the needs of both
animal and farmer. It should be safe and have the animals wellbeing in mind.
It is to be attached to a standard tow hitch and driven to remote locations, it will need to
be road legal, and fit into any applicable driving licence restrictions (size, weight etc.).
Initial design will focus on one animal species e.g. sheep or cow. However, future
changes and alterations can be made to accommodate more individuals and species to
expand the business.
Initial design will focus on one trailer size, attention is to be paid to the number of
animals, and how they will line up side-by-side while feeding, required trailer strength,
animal and operator safety.
As the device will be left out in all weather conditions, attention will need to be given to
prevent corrosion becoming an issue.
The automated feeder system is to be as resilient, as is reasonably possible, to jamming
and clogging of the animal feed, it should have a failsafe. It is to be controlled by a
timer with attention given to the dietary requirements of the animal. Feed spoil times
should be considered as should weatherproofing the feed.

The timer system should be simple and intuitive to use. It should be both cost and
energy efficient. The electrical system should be safe and efficient.
The design should include details on how often the feed needs to be replaced. This
should cater to the animals dietary requirements.

1.3.

Work Package

Eoghan and Brendan,

Design the smart feeder based on the PDS which will be given, Robbie will prepare the
PDS on Friday 20/11/16. I will send it to you on Monday night with this work package.
Stick to the PDS in Appendix A, there will be trade-offs, keep track of any decisions
you make in a separate document, any references information you used to make
decisions. We might need to defend our decisions later. Read all the requirements first
and ask me if you have any questions. Check the FAM in Appendix C.
All work is to be completed by Friday night 25/11/16.
Your report will be 800 words long and contain:

PDF of House of Quality (HOQ) for any designs, make sure to include the
feeder mechanism. Also, include the Excel file in an email.

Use the HOQ attached. Do a separate one for each design decision and make sure to
include the feeder mechanism. You might also need to do; electrical, animal
position/layout, but youre not stuck to them, anything you think yourselves, you will
know when you get working on it. Use the PDS for information to guide your decision.
Use the priorities as set out in the PDS. Arthur says he has worked on a design, we will
have to justify our decision. He said he used a screw like an injection mould, for the
feeder, Robbie says thats how they supply biomass. If youre going to go with
something else, we will need a good reason. The feeder system will need a failsafe and
sound to alert the animals to feeding time. Look at the competition.

PDF drawings of design, 2-D and 3-D, detailed design of feeder mechanism and
electrical design.

Design the smart feeder based on the PDS. Do the House of Quality for the trailer and
feeder mechanism before starting any drawings. Include detailed 2-D and 3-D drawings
for the all designs, including the electrical and the feeder mechanism. This is all for the
Appendices.

Details on how the product will be shipped (flat-pack etc.).

This will include drawings and should be a consideration during the design. Being able
to transport our product around the world opens a much bigger market, this is critical to
the business development. Good drawings should cover it, exploded view and a packedup version.

Include the electrical design, will include the mechanism drive requirements,
power requirements, battery life and interface and safety considerations. We
need drawings of the system.

We have to do an electrical design. You will need to get all the numbers we need from
your motor selection etc. so we can integrate the electrical design into the overall
design. We need drawings of the system and a drawings of the interface.

Details of the materials selection.

This is required for the report so a paragraph or so with a heading, justify your
decisions, the usual stuff. Reference the PDS for justification. Include any
painting/plating etc.

Sustainability: Life Cycle Assessment. (LCA).

This is required for the report so a paragraph or so with a heading, justify your
decisions, the usual stuff. SolidWorks has a feature so that should do it.

Manufacturability and manufacturing processes.

This is required for the report so a paragraph or so with a heading, justify your
decisions, the usual stuff. Assume all process will be in house as per the PDS.

1.4.

Check List

PDF of House of Quality (HOQ) for any designs, make sure to include the

feeder mechanism. Also, include the Excel file in an email.

PDF drawings of design, 2-D and 3-D, detailed design of feeder mechanism and

electrical design.
Details on how the product will be shipped (flat-pack etc.).
Include the electrical design, will include the mechanism drive requirements,
power requirements, battery life and interface and safety considerations. We

need drawings of the system.

Details of the materials selection.
Sustainability: Life Cycle Assessment. (LCA).
Manufacturability and manufacturing processes.

2.Product Boundaries (From Robbie, wont be

in report, just for you info)
2.1.

Trailer

2.1.1.

Ireland/EU Regulation

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52016PC0031

2.1.2.

Dimensions

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?
uri=CONSLEG:1996L0053:20020309:EN:PDF
2.1.3.

Name plate

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?
uri=CONSLEG:1996L0053:20020309:EN:PDF

2.1.4.

Feed Requirements

http://hccmpw.org.uk/medialibrary/publications/Practical%20beef%20nutrition_1.pdf

2.1.4.1. Storage life of feeds

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/faq7535
For example, whole oats and barley if properly stored under consistent moisture
and humidity will keep for at least one year without a loss in quality. If barley
(1.5% fat) is dry rolled in the fall or winter, its storage life will be close to 6
months. However, if it is rolled in the summer, expect 3 months of storage
before palatability becomes a concern when feeding. Since oats has 3.5% fat if
it is rolled in the fall expect 3 to 4 months of storage. Whereas, if rolling oats in
the summer, expect only 3 weeks of storage before the grain starts to go rancid,
moldy and off taste.
2.1.4.2. Shelf life
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/ip-ingress-protection-d_452.html

2.1.4.3. Standards
http://www.etci.ie/docs/stds&rules.pdf

https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/animalhealthwelfare/legislation/Animal
HealthandWelfareAct060314.pdf

2.1.4.4. Safety
http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1994/si/307/made/en/print
2.1.4.5. Patents
https://www.google.ie/patents/US6889630

10

3.Additional Info
Building a trailer
http://www.synthx.com/articles/trailer-design.html
http://l.b5z.net/i/u/6149609/f/Design_Considerations.pdf

11

Appendix A
Table key

Product Design Specification

Priority = number
Wish or demand = W or D
Parameters
Description
Design Requirements
Competition

Feature

Target Product Maintenance

Life in Service

Environment

Performance

Best
How fast, how often

Ensure the performance

Priority 10

demanded is attainable in an

economic manner

Corrosion
Temperature

Must prevent corrosion from the

N/A

N/A

weather

Priority 14

Must be able to withstand winter

D
Products total life

-15 summer 40 degree

Design
the product to last for 10- N/A
temperatures

Priority 23

20 years; parts such as the motor

will need to be replaced within

this time but the system should

Feeding system

have a long product life

Easily maintain feeding system

Priority 26

with no specialist tools

N/A

Total costs
Priority 6

Must be competitive or lower

costs than 4,950 for entry level

Feedsman
4000 (4,950
+vat) for

unit

smallest

Packing

Competition

version
Feedsman 4000

Must be better or cheaper than

Feedsman

Priority 22

the competition

4000

Shipping protection

Must be packaged to protect

N/A

Priority 8

against transport damage when

shipping

12

Shipping and
Manufacturing Quantity
Size
Weight
Standards and Product Life Span Materials

Ireland land
Overseas sea

Priority 7

N/A

6.096m or 12.192m long*

2.4384 m wide* 2.5908 m high

D
Mass production

Design product to mass

Priority 24

production specification

W
New plant and

Assume all process and tooling

machinery

are available

N/A

N/A

Priority 29
W
Council directive

Max

96/53/EC

L=12m

Priority 3
Council directive

W=2.55m
Max

96/53/EC

1 axle = 10 tonne

Priority 2
Corrosion and weather

2 axle = 18 tonne
Galvanise, powder coat housing

protection materials

etc.

Priority 15
Product aimed to be in

Design product, tooling policy,

production for 10-20

manufacturing facility for long

years

term production

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Priority 25
W

Cables
Machinery
Animal welfare

Priority 1
D

Specifications
Aesthetics

Standard shipping container

I.S 167 (colour code cables)

N/A

I.S EN 60204-1 (safety of

machine electrical equipment)
Animal health and welfare act
2013 (section 13 part 3 feeding

Housing

of animals)
Make the housing as appealing

Priority 28

as possible

13

N/A

Ergonomics
Customer
Quality and

Feed input
Controls
Toe bar

Make each as convenient as

N/A

possible for user

Priority 12
D
Off-site beef cattle

Time saving

N/A

Ensure minimum mean time

N/A

farmers
Priority 9
D

Electronics
Housing
Feed system

Priority 13

before failing for electronics and

a minimum mean time before
repair for feeding system.

Constraints

Company

Safety

TestingScale

Time Processes

Shelf Life 1

ShelfReliability
Life 2

D
Different feed types

Consistent moisture and

50 days

from 3 weeks to 1 year

humidity

(Feedsman

Priority 11
D

4000)

Electronics IP

Protect electronics and housing

from safety and weather

14
Housing IP 04

Priority 4
Process specifications

Dimensions/diagrams

Priority 19

Weight etc.

Wiring diagram

Product schedule

How long will it take to produce

Priority 27

the product? Short lead time is

W
Product testing

better.
Develop a means of testing the

Priority 17

product after manufacture

D
Labelling

CE Label

Priority 16

Electrical equipment label

(S.I.No. 307/1994)

Finance and technical

Adequate manufacturing facility

Priority 18

with technical personnel.

Adequate initial investment.

14

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Patents
Installation
Documentation
Disposal

Patent research

Ensure do not clash with

Priority 5

someone elses patent

D
System compatibility

US6889630
Ensure power compatibility with

Priority 20

alternative markets such as USA

N/A

N/A

D
Instructions for user

Develop simple instructions for

Priority 21

final customer.

N/A

Disassembly at end of

Design material should be

life cycle

recyclable or biodegradable

Priority 30

where possible

15

N/A

Appendix B

OTM

16

Appendix C

FAM

17