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[[Image:3-D Solar Dehydrator.jpg|thumb|Model of "Tear The Roof Off" Solar Dehydrator]] | [[Image:3-D Solar Dehydrator.jpg|thumb|Model of "Tear The Roof Off" Solar Dehydrator]] | ||
[[Image: | [[Image:Dehydrator In Action.jpg|thumb|Solar Dehydrator In Action]] | ||
Revision as of 21:42, 20 April 2011
Objective
The objective of our project is to create a simple, yet effective, model of a solar dehydrator. Our model will have an efficient design and will be easily replicable for a child with the assistance of an adult. We hope that by designing this solar dehydrator we help children learn about solar energy and healthy food choices. We will be working closely with the group Locally Delicious, whos link can be seen below. Our final design will be documented and instructions on how to build this particular solar dehydrator will be integrated into Locally Delicious's upcoming cookbook.
- Client: Locally Delicious
- Class: Engineering 215
Design
Our design incorporates a simple but effective model which requires very little materials to construct, yet is very efficient for dehydrating a small to moderate amount of food. Our design is 2'x3'x4" and is built on a plywood base, with a 2"x4" frame, corregated roofing, removable nylon mesh food screens framed in 1/2"x1", with a clear acrylic glass cover held in place by L-brackets, and vent holes on the top and bottom to promote air flow. This model is simple to build and the materials are easily found at your local hardware store, or recycled material can be used to reduce costs. The adjustable angle of inclination allows for maximum sunlight capture throughout the year, for data on the angle of inclination of the sun in your particular area, check out this Calculator.
Criteria
The folllowing table is a sortable list of our design criteria, which were developed by both our design group and our client, Locally Delicious.
| Criteria | Weight | Constraints |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9 | Less than $100 |
| Educational Value | 8 | Teach about measurements, solar radiation, solar dehydration, as well as healthy eating, at a 4th to 8th grade level |
| Reproducibility | 9 | Minimal tool usage, easily obtainable materials |
| Maintenance | 6 | Less than 30 minutes of maintenance required per usage |
| Durability | 7 | Must last at least 12 uses |
| Safety | 10 | Should not exceed 200 degrees Fahrenheit, also must be structurally sound |
| Functional | 10 | Must be able to adequately dehydrate fruits and vegetables |
| Portability | 5 | Must be movable by two or less people |
Cost
The following table is a list of the materials used to build our project and their relative retail cost. In our project we used recycled wood and corregated roofing which brought the cost of our project down significantly.
| Quantity | Material | Source | Cost ($) | Total ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2"x4"x8' Boards | Ace | 6.99 | 13.98 |
| 2 | 1"x1"x4' Framing | Ace | 3.44 | 6.88 |
| 1 | 1/2"x4'x4' Plywood | Ace | 12.55 | 12.55 |
| 1 | Corrugated Roofing Sheet | Scrapyard | 5.99 | 5.99 |
| 1 | 3'x6' Nylon Mesh | Jo-Ann's Fabrics | 7.28 | 7.28 |
| 1 | 2'x4' Clear Acrylic | Ace | 28.99 | 28.99 |
| 8 | Sheet Metal Screws | Ace | .11 | .88 |
| 16 | Wood Screws | Ace | .08 | 1.28 |
| 8 | Washers | Ace | .09 | .72 |
| 1 (Box) | L-Brackets | Ace | 3.79 | 3.79 |
| Total Cost | $82.34 | |||
Fuji's and Fugees
- David Ullrich
- Jake Lodeen
- Dylan Kahle
- Matt Bruder