GROUP 8 Product Design Specification

for
DATE: 11/05/17 Automatic Window Washer
FOREWORD:
Manual window washing on multiple story buildings is labour intensive and can be very
dangerous. Typically, workers will abseil down the face of buildings by harness, carrying
cleaning tools with them. One current system uses a single cable to support an automatic
wash cradle, however this is not ideal in windy conditions and must be shifted along the
building manually. To save time, money and improve safety a new fully autonomous
window washing system has been proposed. Two cables allow the washers vertical position
to be adjusted, and a rooftop gantry allows the entire system to translate horizontally across
the rooftop. Subsequently the entire face of a building can be washed with ease and a high
degree of accuracy.
INTRODUCTION:
The clients request is to design two drive trains allowing for horizontal and vertical motion
of the newly proposed system. The outcome of the design should be an automatic window
washing system that can clean the windows of large scale buildings accurately, efficiently,
reliably and safely.
SCOPE:
Subject to minor changes or customisations, the automatic window washer should be able
to be installed on any appropriate multiple story building, saving businesses time and
money.
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Driven winches must allow the extension and retraction of cables such that the entire
vertical height of the building can be covered by the washer.
The drive train must be able to raise and lower the 115kg washer cradle with a vertical
velocity of 0.1m/s to 2 m/s.
Driven rollers must allow the entire system to transport back and forward along the gantry.
The horizontal drive train must be able to provide the system with a maximum speed of
0.15 m/s.
Power delivered to drive the gantry is 200 Watts.
The system must be able to operate in wet conditions, coping with both water from rain or
from the washer itself.
Components must be able to operate at 100 percent humidity.
Components must operate within a -10C to 50C temperature range.
The minimum lifespan of drive train components before significant maintenance is 5 years.
Within this period both drive trains should have 100 percent reliability.
Components must be capable of running for approximately four hour periods.
MANUFACTURE REQUIREMENTS:
All manufactured components must meet 2mm tolerance accuracy. Unless specified
otherwise.
Both drive train assemblies and the electrical pack should fit within the 1100mm x 820mm
x 1500mm volume provided.
All bearings must be lubricated appropriately prior to operation.
The system or subsystems may be installed fully assembled, or assembled on site.
Due to weather conditions and possibility of abrasions, all metal must be protected
appropriately.
The cost of manufacture must be agreed on by client.
A safety factor of 1.5 should be applied to all load bearing components.
All components must be able to disassemble for inspection, maintenance or replacement.