Extrusion finder: Difference between revisions

From Computer Laboratory Group Design Projects
Jump to navigationJump to search
No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
Proposed client: Emma Gordon, [[Metaswitch Networks]]
Proposed client: Emma Gordon, [[Metaswitch Networks]]


To be finished ...
Many offices, houses, furnishings and machines are made from lengths of metal or plastic that have a constant cross-section, but come in different lengths of extrusion. When one of these breaks, it ought to be possible to fix it by ordering a replacement length and simply snapping it into place. However, it's not necessarily easy to find the extrusion you want. The result of this project would be a great new market opportunity. A user can simply take a picture of the required cross-section (using their phone, or perhaps a flatbed scanner), and the system should automatically find the closest match from online catalogues or sales sites such as seagateplastics.com. As a last resort, an obsolete product could even be resurrected with 3D printing = but there is far more profit to be made by making online referrals and have someone else worry about the manufaturing!
 
Use a 2D scanner to capture the section of an unknown section of PVC or aluminium extrusion. Match automatically against online catalogues to order. If not found, 3D print to required length.
 
Here's an example of a catalog that they might have to parse and match against:
http://www.seagateplastics.com/Stock_Plastics_Catalog/catalog/plastic_covers_tubes_square.html

Revision as of 17:06, 16 October 2014

Proposed client: Emma Gordon, Metaswitch Networks

Many offices, houses, furnishings and machines are made from lengths of metal or plastic that have a constant cross-section, but come in different lengths of extrusion. When one of these breaks, it ought to be possible to fix it by ordering a replacement length and simply snapping it into place. However, it's not necessarily easy to find the extrusion you want. The result of this project would be a great new market opportunity. A user can simply take a picture of the required cross-section (using their phone, or perhaps a flatbed scanner), and the system should automatically find the closest match from online catalogues or sales sites such as seagateplastics.com. As a last resort, an obsolete product could even be resurrected with 3D printing = but there is far more profit to be made by making online referrals and have someone else worry about the manufaturing!