CONSTRUCTION

The main goal of this project is to make a working prototype of a slab tipper mechanism that could be developed and changed at a later date to fit extra needs and requirements to be placed on the market to sell. The main focus is the tipping mechanism needing to adequately support the stone without breaking and being able to distribute the weight evenly to prevent from damaging the floor. Building the mechanism will require a combination of specially machined parts specifically for this mechanism as well as some premade parts purchased from sellers like McMaster-Carr and Everett Steel. Though the preferred material for the selling model would be aluminum, to limit cost of the mechanism, ease construction methods, and access of material, the prototype will be mainly constructed of steel. The reason the prototype will be made of steel is because the prototype will only be used for proof of concept of the mechanism, also steel is easily accessible and reasonably cheap for this application. It also comes in a wide variety of thicknesses and shapes to meet the needs of the mechanism. Having steel being the main material for the mechanism, it allows parts to be welded without special equipment that would be required if the stand was constructed of aluminum. Steel is also a good option for the prototype, because one of the harder requirements for this mechanism, is that it needs to support a stone slab up to 1500lb. Stone is very brittle and needs to be supported adequately with minimal deflection to reduce the chance of the stone cracking or breaking. Steel provides a high strength that aids in the ability to support the stone with a simple design. This mechanism is being used as a proof of concept, being displayed at a granite tooling show at the end of the 2017-2018 school year. Where the potential marketability of the stand will be assessed and the current design can be modified to solve other problems in the future.