re: ensc 440 project proposal for a ryb paint...
TRANSCRIPT
School of Engineering Science • Burnaby, BC • V5A 1S6
September 22nd
, 2011
Dr. Andrew Rawicz
School of Engineering Science
Simon Fraser University
Burnaby, BC
V5A 1S6
Re: ENSC 440 Project Proposal for a RYB Paint Mixer
Dear Dr. Rawicz,
Our team will be designing and building a portable paint mixer that utilizes the RYB color model. The
product is aimed to assist painters in optimizing their use of accurate color mixtures in home as well as
professional projects. The mixer will also come with a wireless color picker in the form of a pen, which
can be used by painters to give RYB color ratios by simply pointing it to a perceived color.
The enclosed proposal will provide an overview of our product design, details on funding, budget, and
work schedule created to reach our goal of demonstrating a prototype in December. For the design
purpose, this document will deal strictly with use of acrylic paints for mixing. However, the technology
has equal potential to deliver with water-based paints as well.
FASM Solutions consists of four 4th year engineering students, Milad Maleksabet, Faiz Parkar, Ajaypal
Khakh, and Sasan Hezarkhani; each with distinct set of skills that allow for an innovative collaboration.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me via email if you have any inquiries.
Sincerely,
Sasan Hezarkhani
Chief Executive Officer
FASM Solutions
Enclosure: Proposal for a RYB Paint Mixer
School of Engineering Science • Burnaby, BC • V5A 1S6
Project Team: Sasan Hezarkhani, Milad Maleksabet, Faiz Parkar, Ajaypal Khakh
22 September 2011
Team Contact: Sasan Hezarkhani ([email protected])
Submitted to: Dr. Andrew Rawicz, Mike Sjoerdsma
School of Engineering Science • Burnaby, BC • V5A 1S6
Copyright © FASM Solutions Page 3
Painting, whether done professionally at work or as a household hobby requires experience in
color combinations and contrast ratios for those combinations. Most of the processes used in
color mixing are either costly, highly time consuming or both. In addition, it is noted by the
Workers’ Compensation Board of British Columbia that most commercially available paints
contain Isocyanates [1]
. These chemicals can cause health concerns through skin contact or
breathing when mixing. Our goal is to eliminate the traditional methods of mixing, allowing the
painters to save time and achieve greater accuracy while minimizing exposure to the toxins.
At the moment, there are three general methods of paint mixing. Manufacturers use advanced big
scale devices that mix color to base materials and form the liquid paints. However, these
machines require advanced training and expertise. To counter this, most amateur painters resort
to manual mixing by hand on a palette of their choice. This requires quite some time and fair bit
of knowledge to get the right tone. Lastly, some decide to prepare orders of color(s) of their
choice and send the specifications to the manufacturer. This can be more accurate and safer for
the customer, but at a high cost for paint production and shipping.
The following proposal will provide an overview of our design solution. The product will be a
portable and efficient RYB Mixer. Aimed at painters of any level of expertise, this device will
allow users to set RYB bit ratios and dispense the resulting color sequentially on their choice of
palette or container. One method of input is a touch screen panel mounted on the device. The
second, a wireless color-sensing camera pen that processes the image of the color it is pointed to
and sends the data to the mixer, which matches the color and dispenses accordingly. This
provides great mixing accuracy, ease and safety to every painter.
FASM Solutions is made of 4 team members currently pursuing a degree in Engineering Science
at Simon Fraser University. Their areas of study are in computer and electronics engineering.
Each member has also achieved experience in the world of programming, software and
hardware, embedded systems and integrated circuits; giving a great advantage towards creating a
beneficial product.
Included in this proposal is a time schedule and budget outline. Total cost is projected to be
$1,330 with amends to be made that could bring it down to $1000 for the final product.
School of Engineering Science • Burnaby, BC • V5A 1S6
Copyright © FASM Solutions Page 4
$500 of funding, based on this estimation, will come from the Engineering Science Student
Endowment Fund (ESSEF). However, by using economical and efficient materials &
components, mass production value can be around $500 or less. As the schedule shows in this
document, the first prototype of our product will be completed by December 6th
, 2011.
School of Engineering Science • Burnaby, BC • V5A 1S6
Copyright © FASM Solutions Page 5
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................... 3
1.INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 6
2.SYSTEM OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................................ 7
3.POSSIBLE DESIGN SOLUTIONS .............................................................................................................. 8
3.1. BIG SCALE COLOR MIXING DEVICES ................................................................................................ 8
3.2. MANUAL HAND COLOR MIXING ..................................................................................................... 8
3.3. ORDER THE SPECIFIED COLOR FROM THE MANUFACTURE ................................................................... 8
4.PROPOSED DESIGN SOLUTION .............................................................................................................. 9
5.BUDGETING AND FUNDING ................................................................................................................ 10
5.1 BUDGET .................................................................................................................................. 10
5.2FUNDING ................................................................................................................................. 10
6.SCHEDULE ...................................................................................................................................... 11
6.1. GANTT CHART ......................................................................................................................... 11
6.2. MILESTONES ........................................................................................................................... 11
7.COMPANY PROFILE .......................................................................................................................... 13
8.CONCLUSION .................................................................................................................................. 14
9.REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................... 15
School of Engineering Science • Burnaby, BC • V5A 1S6
Copyright © FASM Solutions Page 6
“There are not more than five primary colors (blue, yellow, red, white, and black), yet in
combination they produce more hues than can ever been seen” [2]
– This proverb is going to
be proved true by FASM solutions’ upcoming RYB mixer. This product is going to be a
work partner for professional painters and household users.
Presently, people have to go through a long process of mixing different colors to get their
target color. For example, if the desired color is lavender, you have to start with light blue,
add red just a little at a time, stirring thoroughly as you go along. Depending on whether you
need a darker or lighter version of the paint, you also have to add a white or dark blue paint.
The purpose of mentioning this example is to stress the fact that how tedious it could get for
professional painters and household people to make a desired color.
Paints contain toxic pigments that could cause serious health complications. According to
Workers' Compensation Board of BC, Isocyanates used in paint systems can cause health
effects via skin contact or when breathed in during paint mixing. So, the only solution to this
problem is to have a device that can mix paints for people when they are at work or at home.
Our intention is to make a color mixer that is portable and easy to use. It will reduce the
mixing time to the minimum with accurate results. In addition, it will reduce the exposure
and inhalation of the dangerous chemicals present in paints. Our product will be available in
different sizes.
The RYB mixer will be a mater – piece where technology will come together with simplicity.
It will include a camera sensor fitted to a pen to pick the color of choice. The pen will, then,
send information to the mixer, where a microcontroller will run a mixing algorithm that will
enable the mixer to mix colors.
In this document, FASM solutions is providing an overview of the RYB mixer, budget
considerations, time management, and the company profile.
School of Engineering Science • Burnaby, BC • V5A 1S6
Copyright © FASM Solutions Page 7
Our system gives the user two methods of input that provide data for the device to accurately
mix the three basic paints and provide the desired output. First, there will be an interactive
touch screen panel with color ratio selection methods that lets the user set values as needed.
Secondly, a wireless pen camera lets the user aim this device at any perceived color, which
automatically calculates the color ratio values. This method of input is designed to help users
who are not aware of what specific values to enter on the touch screen panel. This data is sent
to the microcontroller for the mixing algorithm to process, which then generates the output as
an accurate ratio of paint dispensed from the container valves to give the resulting color onto
the user’s paint palette. This process is shown in the figures below:
Figure 1 Flowcharts of RYB Mixer behavior
School of Engineering Science • Burnaby, BC • V5A 1S6
Copyright © FASM Solutions Page 8
There are many solutions for color mixing in the market. Although current solutions and
devices are very handy and easy to use, these systems still have many disadvantages. Three
of main features in the color mixing device are high accuracy of color mixing, portability,
and reliability. Some of the methods currently used are listed below.
These devices are very advanced and paint manufactures are using these devices to mix
different base materials to produce liquid paints. Although, these devices are very
accurate to produce any range of color, the size and the price are very out of range for
non-professional users. Moreover, clients need advanced training to be able to use these
devices and the overall maintenance cost is very high due advanced components which
were used in their structure.
This is very old method which painters are using for decades to mix colors. In this
method, painters mix different amount of liquid paints by hand until they reach to the
specific color. Although, this method is very easy to use, it is really difficult to be
accurate in the color mixing procedure. In this method, painters cannot always reach to
their specific color range and it is not very efficient method to use in color mixing
industry.
Ordering the specified color from the manufacture is the best solution in the point of
color accuracy. Although, this method seems very reliable, in low volume order, it can be
very costly or inefficient for the manufacture to produce that color. Moreover, the
shipping cost and the waiting time to receive the color could be other issues.
School of Engineering Science • Burnaby, BC • V5A 1S6
Copyright © FASM Solutions Page 9
In today’s market, there are many methods to mix colors; however, most of these methods
have disadvantages such as inaccuracy, lack portability, and high maintenance cost. All of
these drawbacks constrict the user’s ability to work. It wastes time and money.
Presently, professional painters or household users have only few options to get their colors
mixed. They could mix colors by hand, hoping that they will get the color of their choice. In
most of the cases, it is impossible to get the exact color tone. In addition to the inaccurate
color tone, the above technique has many health complications. Colors contain pigments.
Pigments used in paint can cause health effects via skin contact or when breathed in during
paint mixing. The other option is to go to a paint shop. Paint shops have mixers that can mix
colors accurately but going to a paint shop wastes time.
The goal of our project is to design a high accuracy color mixing device which is portable
and easy to use. This device will allow users to produce any range of color automatically
only by mixing the primary color of red, yellow, and blue. To balance the desired contrast we
can use white and black paints.
The RYB mixer works in a sequential order to mix primary colors. In the first step, user uses
wireless pen which is equipped with the multi-color detection camera to get a color code for
the pointed location’s color. Then the wireless pen will send a signal to microprocessor to do
the calculation for decoding and estimating the volume of each primary color which is
needed to produce the specified color. The process of color selection can also be done using
the installed touch screen on the device. Once all calculated volumes are ready, the
microprocessor will send separate signals to each valve at the end of gravity cups to release
the specified amount of primary colors to the mixer cup. At the end, user can mix all liquid
paints in the mixer cup until it reaches to the desire color.
RYB mixer is targeted for professional painters and household users. It will be made for
indoor and outdoor usage. Household users and professional painters will not have to run to a
paint shop to get their colors mixed. They can get the desired color on the spot. This will save
them time and money. The RYB mixer will be available in different sizes so that the users
can buy a size of their need.
School of Engineering Science • Burnaby, BC • V5A 1S6
Copyright © FASM Solutions Page 10
The budget required to implement and design the RYB mixer is completely controlled by
the accuracy and response time of components; however, lack of good funding source
push the project to the minimum budget limit. Table 1 shows the list of components with
the overall cost of the project.
Table 1: Cost breakdown for components
Component Cost
Touch Screen Components $180
Injectors $150
Sensors $120
Long range Wireless device $100
Switches $80
Color Dispenser $150
Power supply $30
Microcontroller $130
Tube $20
Battery $20
Frame box $50
Miscellaneous $300
Total $1330
The cost which was estimated for this project is around $1330; however, we will try to
decrease the overall cost for the final product to an amount around $1000.We expect that
final price for the mass production can be less than $500 due using more economical and
efficient materials and components.
We have considered different funding sources for our project Such as Simon Fraser
Engineering Science Student Endowment fund (ESSEF), and Wighton fund. The
application for ESSEF funding has been submitted and we are waiting for their response.
Furthermore, in an attempt to decrease costs, we will use second hand components and
materials form past Ensc-440 students. If we were unable to cover the project cost with
the funding money, we will cover the rest cost ourselves.
School of Engineering Science • Burnaby, BC • V5A 1S6
Copyright © FASM Solutions Page 11
Below is presented our projected time line of the project. While most people will be
working together on a single task, some of the tasks will be done concurrently by
different members. A larger version of this chart is available in Appendix A.
Figure 2: Time schedule for RYB Mixer
In the table on the next page we have listed our milestones and the description of each
milestone. We have divided the timeline of the project into 5 different stages. These
stages are: project definition, hardware and core function, software and calibrating,
wireless components, final testing.
School of Engineering Science • Burnaby, BC • V5A 1S6
Copyright © FASM Solutions Page 12
Table 2: Project stages of RYB Mixer
Milestone Date Summary of accomplishments
I September 31 Project Functionality is finalized
Hardware list is completed
Hardware is ordered
II October 31 Valves are working accurately
Valves communicate with the
central processor
Color mixing algorithm is
completed
III November 31 Touch screen is implemented
Color sensor is picking colors
correctly
“pen” wireless functionality is
working
Color mixing is producing the
right colors
IV December 6 Final testing of the project is
completed
Figure 3 also presents a milestone chart for better understanding of our project timeline.
2011
September October November December
22nd
31st 8
th 13
th 22
nd 28
th 5
th 13
th 30
th 6
th
Project completion
Project Proposal
Hardware has
been ordered
Microcontroller programming sources are
found
Functional Specifications
Microcontroller and Valves are communicating
Color mixing algorithm is
finalized
Touch screen panel is installed
Touch panel is programmed to
input color choices
Wireless communication
is finalized
Figure 3: Milestone chart
School of Engineering Science • Burnaby, BC • V5A 1S6
Copyright © FASM Solutions Page 13
I am a fifth year Computer Engineer. I enjoy anything that relates to computers, especially
software. I know how to program in C/C++, C#, Java, Action script, HTML/CSS, Java script,
PHP and ASP.net. My past work experience is in both web development and console game
development. As a hobby I like to play around with digital designing tools (e.g. Photoshop)
and I also play the guitar.
I am a fifth year Computer Engineering student at Simon Fraser University. Over the years
I’ve gained experience in various programming languages such as C/C++, Java, Assembly
and VHDL. These have helped me learn hardware and integrated circuit designs. In addition,
co-op placement as well continued part-time employment at Environment Canada allowed
me to develop technical skills necessary in the Information Technology industry which can
include departmental procurement, network security and data Centre maintenance.
I am a fourth year Electronics student doing majors in Electronics. I have taken
programming courses such as C++, java and VHDL. I have been an assistant to lab
technician at University of Alberta. I have made a heating insole from tungsten and silicon.
In addition, I am well versed in engineering science laboratories. I have competent
knowledge about transistors, diodes and capacitors. Presently, I am also taking digital
communication, embedded systems and computer architecture courses.
I am a fourth year Engineering student. I have a Coop experience with telecom companies
(Pishgaman, Impera Net). I am familiar with cisco routers and switches. I am proficient at
network designing and structure. I am also familiar with soft switch configuration and VoIP
networks.
School of Engineering Science • Burnaby, BC • V5A 1S6
Copyright © FASM Solutions Page 14
FASM solutions’ goal is to deliver affordable and appealing products. RYB Mixer is
designed to comfort a wide range of users in the market and ease of use is our main goal.
Painters with different expertise can use this product to acquire their exact desired color. A
painter at home who would like to re-paint a part of the wall can use the external color
picker to mix a particular color.
RYB Mixer is economical, portable, and environmental friendly. With our product we wish
to revolutionize the way professionals and ordinary people mix paint.
In this document we have highlighted the main features of our product; in addition we have
provided our solution to each. Based on our timeline we promise to deliver a fully functional
product in December 2011 that meets our budget and includes the defined functionality
presented in this document.
School of Engineering Science • Burnaby, BC • V5A 1S6
Copyright © FASM Solutions Page 15
[1] Sun Tzu, Lionel Giles, “The art of war” (2005), page 14
[2] “International Consensus Report on Isocyanates - Risk assessment and management”
(29/01/2004), http://www.arbeidstilsynet.no/binfil/download2.php?tid=77871