Grant: Engage Grants Program
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
$25,000.00
Development of an automated capping system for foamed soap dispensing bottles
FY 2015-16
Summary
Charlotte Products Ltd. is manufacturer of a broad range of cleaning chemical products for the consumer, dairy
and institutional markets. One of their products is a liquid soap in a custom designed collapsible bottle on
which a specialized cap is tightened to a high torque so that it cannot be unscrewed or tampered with. Due to
the flimsy nature of bottles, adding the proper torque to the cap this is quite challenging. This project is aimed
at development of an automated solution to this problem as a suitable commercial product in not available for
this task. The approach to solve this problem will be to find an existing torque head and modify it to enable the
application of high torque, followed by design and development of customized clamping and handing systems.
One challenge will be finding a lining material to be used on the torque head so that the bottle and caps are not
damaged. Viscoelastic properties and abrasion resistance of various materials will be studied to find compatible
materials for the job from which the best one will be selected. The material study and the high torqueing
system will be the major innovative aspects of the project. This will also necessitate the building a prototype
torqueing and clamping system for proper evaluation of the performance. Later on the remainder of the system
will be designed so that it works at the desired rate of operation. This system will include the following
processes: removing the bottles filled with liquid soap from the assembly line; clamping the bottles and then
applying the proper torque; and moving the bottles back onto the assembly line at the desired rate. The system
design will be completed in six months from the start date. This will include trials on the prototype clamp and
the torqueing head. The entire project will be conducted in close collaboration with the company, with regular
meetings and site visits. The final design will be given to the company so that they can have it fabricated.
Successful completion of the project will contribute to making the Canadian company more productive and
hence help in its growth which will generate more employment.
Program
Engage Grants Program
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
477371-2014
Name nom
Rizvi, Ghaus
Department département
Automotive, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
Organization id
19222
Institution établissement
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2015
Competition year année de concours
2014
Award amount
25000
Program id
EGP
Program name en
Engage Grants Program
Program name fr
Programme de subventions d'engagement partenariat
Group en
Research partnerships programs
Group fr
Programmes de partenariat
Committee code
1553
Committee name en
Ontario Internal Decision Committee
Committee name fr
Comité de décision interne pour l'Ontario
Area of application code
500
Area of application group en
Manufacturing processes and products
Area of application group fr
Procédés et produits industriels
Area of application en
Manufacturing processes and products
Area of application fr
Procédés et produits industriels
Research subject code
2100
Research subject group en
Mechanical engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie mécanique
Research subject en
Mechanical engineering
Research subject fr
Génie mécanique
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
Development of an automated capping system for foamed soap dispensing bottles
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
Charlotte Products Ltd. is manufacturer of a broad range of cleaning chemical products for the consumer, dairy
and institutional markets. One of their products is a liquid soap in a custom designed collapsible bottle on
which a specialized cap is tightened to a high torque so that it cannot be unscrewed or tampered with. Due to
the flimsy nature of bottles, adding the proper torque to the cap this is quite challenging. This project is aimed
at development of an automated solution to this problem as a suitable commercial product in not available for
this task. The approach to solve this problem will be to find an existing torque head and modify it to enable the
application of high torque, followed by design and development of customized clamping and handing systems.
One challenge will be finding a lining material to be used on the torque head so that the bottle and caps are not
damaged. Viscoelastic properties and abrasion resistance of various materials will be studied to find compatible
materials for the job from which the best one will be selected. The material study and the high torqueing
system will be the major innovative aspects of the project. This will also necessitate the building a prototype
torqueing and clamping system for proper evaluation of the performance. Later on the remainder of the system
will be designed so that it works at the desired rate of operation. This system will include the following
processes: removing the bottles filled with liquid soap from the assembly line; clamping the bottles and then
applying the proper torque; and moving the bottles back onto the assembly line at the desired rate. The system
design will be completed in six months from the start date. This will include trials on the prototype clamp and
the torqueing head. The entire project will be conducted in close collaboration with the company, with regular
meetings and site visits. The final design will be given to the company so that they can have it fabricated.
Successful completion of the project will contribute to making the Canadian company more productive and
hence help in its growth which will generate more employment.
