Pneumatic Brake

During one of my Co-op terms at TREW Automation, I was tasked with designing a brake to be used in our narrow belt accumulation product line. It was the first professional project I had where I followed a product from initial concept and design through production and commercialization. This included modeling, drawing, air pressure calculations and assembly planning, as well as backend PLM and manufacturing. Testing and prototyping were also key steps in getting the product approved and included in future systems.

The biggest challenge on the design was to try and use as many existing parts as possible in attempt to save money and effort. 85% of component on the brake existed in a different product, and have been repurposed to not require any additional manufactured parts. The O-Bands on top for example, were taken from standard roller conveyor units and reused here to apply friction for quickly halting the unit. The controls and pneumatics were also already existing within the system, so when air is shut off to release drive pressure and slow the zone, it is simultaneously rerouted to engage the brake. Following testing, it was determined that the brake could slow zones 70% faster, resulting in its eventual adoption and commercialization.