Capstone: Northrop Drumman Carbon Fiber Strip Abrader
Carbon fiber strips are used in the construction of a telescoping solar cell array for satellites. The task at hand was to create an automated abrasion system for these strips so that the abrasion for adhesion does not have to be done by hand. The video below shows a demonstration of the machine as well as operating instructions for the AutoAbrader. For a detailed poster describing the AutoAbrader, click here.
AutoAbrader Instructional Video
The image showcases the opened abrasion box section of the AutoAbrader. The machine utilizes two circular Scotch-Brite wheels to abrade both sides of the carbon fiber strips at the same time. Silicone covered wheels are used to push the carbon fiber strips through the abrasion box.
The image shows the abrasion box closed. It can be seen that the carbon fiber strips pass through the yellow funnels and along the groove in the aluminum plate. The silicone translation wheels push the strip along the plate while the Scotch-Brite wheels abrade both sides of the strips.
The image is of the entire AutoAbrader; with the intake mechanism on the left (where the carbon fiber strips are stacked and loaded) and the abrasion box on the right (where the strips are pushed through and abraded).
