Risk
Our project required that we carefully investigate milk handling and new, unexplored cooling techniques including thermoelectric plates, recirculation, and reusable solar power charging. This resulted in anticipating and encountering several risks that we were able to respond to according to our Risk Assessment and Response Document.
Some of these larger risks included shipping errors or delays that could result in a prototype building or deadline delay. To counter this, our team compiled a list of necessary parts based off our prototype design before beginning construction on each prototype. By doing this, we avoided needing a necessary part midway through prototype construction.
Another risk we faced was design error. We encountered this during Prototype 3, the PVC Cooling Chamber, designing the first cooling channel, Channel A. During our first test of Prototype 3, it was revealed that the channel leaked and was not watertight. Our testing results were inaccurate in addition to the loss in theoretical dairy product. Due to this error, we were setback until a new channel could be 3D-printed. To minimize this risk, our team used the method of rapid prototyping to quickly catch design flaws during testing. In this way we achieved a better design in less time.
Other risks were more hazardous than a time delay. During Prototype 2, The Lid, we tested the 35Ah batteries with our Cooling Lid. The Cooling Lid design used three Peltier plates at 36W each and 1 fan at 1.2W, consuming 109.2W of power. The amount of current used by each peltier, 3 A, made this a potentially dangerous testing situation. To prevent electric shock and other injury during testing, we set a permitter of a safe distance around the testing site and used appropriately-rated fuses and wires. Throughout testing we used verbal communication and monitored the test personally at all times.
Some of these larger risks included shipping errors or delays that could result in a prototype building or deadline delay. To counter this, our team compiled a list of necessary parts based off our prototype design before beginning construction on each prototype. By doing this, we avoided needing a necessary part midway through prototype construction.
Another risk we faced was design error. We encountered this during Prototype 3, the PVC Cooling Chamber, designing the first cooling channel, Channel A. During our first test of Prototype 3, it was revealed that the channel leaked and was not watertight. Our testing results were inaccurate in addition to the loss in theoretical dairy product. Due to this error, we were setback until a new channel could be 3D-printed. To minimize this risk, our team used the method of rapid prototyping to quickly catch design flaws during testing. In this way we achieved a better design in less time.
Other risks were more hazardous than a time delay. During Prototype 2, The Lid, we tested the 35Ah batteries with our Cooling Lid. The Cooling Lid design used three Peltier plates at 36W each and 1 fan at 1.2W, consuming 109.2W of power. The amount of current used by each peltier, 3 A, made this a potentially dangerous testing situation. To prevent electric shock and other injury during testing, we set a permitter of a safe distance around the testing site and used appropriately-rated fuses and wires. Throughout testing we used verbal communication and monitored the test personally at all times.
By planning ahead for these risks, we were able to overcome them at each stage of our project and produce a successful product within the deadlines we had set.
See our Spring Risk Assessment & Response document below for more information.
See our Spring Risk Assessment & Response document below for more information.
Spring Risk Assessment & Response Document
See our Fall Risk Assessment & Response Document here.