WatermelonWatermelon Ripeness Ripeness SensorSensor

Melon Inc.Melon Inc.In Search of Perfect Melons.In Search of Perfect Melons.

Jason L. FirkoJason L. Firko

Allan CohenAllan Cohen

Matt BehrMatt Behr

Dave BartoskiDave Bartoski

Watermelon Ripeness Watermelon Ripeness SensorSensor

Team #2 MembersTeam #2 Members::Jason FirkoJason Firko

Matt BehrMatt Behr

Allan CohenAllan Cohen

Dave BartowskiDave Bartowski

Customer:Customer: Ed Kee Ed Kee Advisor:Advisor: Dr. James Dr. James GlanceyGlancey

Mission:Mission: Develop a non-destructive method and apparatus for Develop a non-destructive method and apparatus for accurately determining the ripeness of watermelons.accurately determining the ripeness of watermelons.

Approach:Approach: Use customer wants to research and develop the most Use customer wants to research and develop the most useful solution to the problem of determining watermelon useful solution to the problem of determining watermelon ripeness. Develop a prototype and test it in an actual working ripeness. Develop a prototype and test it in an actual working enviroment. enviroment.

BackgroundBackground

Watermelon market is a large, worldwide marketWatermelon market is a large, worldwide market Grown on 5 ContinentsGrown on 5 Continents Grown in 90 countriesGrown in 90 countries Annual production 50 Billion lbs./yearAnnual production 50 Billion lbs./year 75% of the melons bought whole 75% of the melons bought whole Large domestic and international marketLarge domestic and international market

Problem with a long history - 1905 University of Georgia Problem with a long history - 1905 University of Georgia StudyStudy

There are currently no accurate non-destructive testing There are currently no accurate non-destructive testing methods availablemethods available

Design Concept ReviewDesign Concept Review

IntroductionIntroduction Concept GenerationConcept Generation

• Customers, Wants, Constraints, Customers, Wants, Constraints, Benchmarking, Target values, Concept Benchmarking, Target values, Concept generationgeneration

Concept SelectionConcept Selection• Evaluation against Metrics/Target Values, Evaluation against Metrics/Target Values,

Concept Development, Working ModelConcept Development, Working Model ScheduleSchedule

• Actuals, Schedule, BudgetActuals, Schedule, Budget

Customers & WantsCustomers & Wants

10 0.45 0.25 0.15 0.1 0.05Name Organization Rank 1st Want 2nd Want 3rd Want 4th Want 5th Want

Mr. Ed Kee Sponsor 10 Accurate Portable Durable Cheap FastJ ohn Hastings Farmer 8 Portable Accurate Durable Easy to Use Food QualityJ eff Wooden Farmer 8 Portable Accurate Durable Easy to Use FastMark Collins Farmer 8 Accurate Durable Portable Fast Food QualityMack Farms Broker 7 Accurate Fast Easy to Use Durable Food QualityOdanna MathewsGiant Foods 6 Accurate Cheap Easy to Use Food Quality DurableBill Roberts Acme 6 Accurate Cheap Food Quality Durable Easy to UseDavid Thorp FDA 6 Food Quality

USDA 6 Food QualityKaren Clark Produce Stand 6 Cheap Accurate Easy to Use Portable Food QualityJ oe Meloneater Consumer 3 Cheap Accurate Food Quality

Customers Top WantsCustomers Top Wants

1. Accuracy1. Accuracy 2. Portability2. Portability 3. Food Quality3. Food Quality 4. Cost4. Cost 5. Durable5. Durable

6. Easy to Use6. Easy to Use 7. Fast7. Fast 8. Versatility8. Versatility 9. Maintenance9. Maintenance 10. Service Life10. Service Life

ConstraintsConstraints

Maximum - $3000 BudgetMaximum - $3000 Budget Abide by all FDA RegulationsAbide by all FDA Regulations

Food QualityFood Quality Abide by all OSHA RegulationsAbide by all OSHA Regulations

Safety StandardsSafety Standards

Metrics/Target ValuesMetrics/Target Values

MetricsMetrics Provide a Means of Objective MeasurementProvide a Means of Objective Measurement Eliminate AmbiguityEliminate Ambiguity

Target ValuesTarget Values Derived From Customer Wants, Functional Derived From Customer Wants, Functional

Benchmarking, Continued Customer Benchmarking, Continued Customer DialogueDialogue

Contact Regulatory AgenciesContact Regulatory Agencies Listed With Related Wants (Ranked)Listed With Related Wants (Ranked)

Metrics & Related WantsMetrics & Related Wants

Accuracy/PortabilityAccuracy/Portability % Correct Ripeness Readings% Correct Ripeness Readings (95%)(95%)

% Error in Sugar Content % Error in Sugar Content ** **

(False Neg./False Pos.) Readings(False Neg./False Pos.) Readings (3)(3)

Weight Weight (51 lbs.)(51 lbs.)

Size (Dimensions)Size (Dimensions) (3’ Sides)(3’ Sides)

# People - Transport/Operation # People - Transport/Operation (1)(1)

Production CostProduction Cost [$700][$700]

Metrics (Cont’d)Metrics (Cont’d)

Durability/Ease of Use/SpeedDurability/Ease of Use/Speed Hours of Continuous OperationHours of Continuous Operation [12 hrs.)[12 hrs.)

Impact Resistance Impact Resistance (3 ft. (3 ft. Drop)Drop)

Time to TrainTime to Train [1 hr.][1 hr.]

Number of StepsNumber of Steps [5][5]

Level of Education RequiredLevel of Education Required [Grade 8)[Grade 8)

Time/CycleTime/Cycle [10 sec][10 sec]

Time per ShipmentTime per Shipment [2 hrs.][2 hrs.]

Metrics (Con’t)Metrics (Con’t)

Food Food Quality/ServiceLife/Versatility/MaintenanceQuality/ServiceLife/Versatility/Maintenance

Size of IntrusionSize of Intrusion (1mm)(1mm)

Bacteria IntroducedBacteria Introduced * * Visual Quality Inspection Rating Visual Quality Inspection Rating (1-10)(1-10)

Estimated Years of ServiceEstimated Years of Service (5 yrs.](5 yrs.]

# of Uses (melon types, sizes, etc.)# of Uses (melon types, sizes, etc.) (4)(4)

Cost/Cycle (parts, upkeep, etc)Cost/Cycle (parts, upkeep, etc) ($.001/cycle)($.001/cycle)

Initial Systems Initial Systems BenchmarkingBenchmarking

Current Methods Of Watermelon Current Methods Of Watermelon TestingTesting Traditional - Thumping, stem color, skin color, Traditional - Thumping, stem color, skin color,

other traditional methodsother traditional methods Destructive Testing - Sucrometer readings Destructive Testing - Sucrometer readings Near Infrared Testing - Experimental Near Infrared Testing - Experimental

technique of sensing sugar contenttechnique of sensing sugar content• Acoustic Testing - University of OklahomaAcoustic Testing - University of Oklahoma

Systems Benchmarking Systems Benchmarking Cont.Cont.

Related Procedures (Fruits and others)Related Procedures (Fruits and others)Thumping/ResonanceThumping/Resonance Tires, FruitsTires, FruitsAcoustic testing Acoustic testing Acoustic Emission Acoustic Emission

TestingTestingUltrasonic testing Ultrasonic testing Materials, Medical Materials, MedicalOptoelectrics Optoelectrics Apples ApplesIntrusive testing Intrusive testing Medical(Syringes) Medical(Syringes)Nuclear magnetic resonance Nuclear magnetic resonance Fruits, Fruits,

MedicalMedicalElectronic sniffingElectronic sniffing StrawberriesStrawberries

Concept Generation - Concept Generation - FrameworkFramework

Sensor is Critical Function/ElementSensor is Critical Function/Element Concept Generation Primarily Concept Generation Primarily

Deals With This Element Deals With This Element

Functional BenchmarkingFunctional Benchmarking

Acoustic/Impact Tests-Sound signature and Acoustic/Impact Tests-Sound signature and ResonanceResonance• Acoustic Sensors- microphones, AE sensorsAcoustic Sensors- microphones, AE sensors• Impact Devices- pendulums, hammers,spring loaded, Impact Devices- pendulums, hammers,spring loaded,

etc.etc.• Acoustic data acquisition devicesAcoustic data acquisition devices

Testing of Rind QualityTesting of Rind Quality• Accelerometers and related tracking devicesAccelerometers and related tracking devices

Resistivity TestingResistivity Testing• Available info. Of resistivity of biological materialsAvailable info. Of resistivity of biological materials• Probes, measuring devices, necessary equipmentProbes, measuring devices, necessary equipment

Details of the Critical Element

Functional Benchmarking Functional Benchmarking (Cont’d)(Cont’d)

Ultrasonic testingUltrasonic testing• Use on biological materialsUse on biological materials• Available MachinesAvailable Machines

Sizing DevicesSizing Devices• Oversized calipersOversized calipers• ScalesScales

Sampling devices and methodsSampling devices and methods• Syringes, automated sucrometersSyringes, automated sucrometers

Concept GenerationConcept Generation

ACOUSTIC RESONANCE ACOUSTIC RESONANCE ELECTRICAL ELECTRICAL

PROPERTIESPROPERTIES ULTRASOUNDULTRASOUND NUCLEAR MAGNETIC NUCLEAR MAGNETIC

RESONANCE (NMR)RESONANCE (NMR) SONIC TESTING - SONIC TESTING -

SINGLE FREQUENCYSINGLE FREQUENCY

SONIC TESTING - SONIC TESTING - WHITE NOISEWHITE NOISE

INFAREDINFARED ENERGY IMPACTENERGY IMPACT STRAIN GAUGESTRAIN GAUGE FLUID FLUID

EXTRACTIONEXTRACTION

Concept Concept Evaluation/SelectionEvaluation/Selection

ProcessProcess

Is this a viable solution?Is this a viable solution? Evaluate in terms of ranked metricsEvaluate in terms of ranked metrics Presentation - Time ConstraintsPresentation - Time Constraints

Method - Comparison with metrics(related Method - Comparison with metrics(related wants)wants) Strong in metricsStrong in metricsWeak in metricsWeak in metrics Notes on conceptNotes on concept

SSD and Testing results lead to selectionSSD and Testing results lead to selection

Concept EvaluationConcept Evaluation

Nuclear Magnetic ResonanceNuclear Magnetic Resonance Out of Budget - $60,000 - $1,000,000Out of Budget - $60,000 - $1,000,000

Sonic Testing- Single FrequencySonic Testing- Single FrequencyFood Quality, SpeedFood Quality, SpeedEasy to Use, Accuracy, Maintenance, Easy to Use, Accuracy, Maintenance,

CostCost Difficult to Use- Need Proper Difficult to Use- Need Proper

EnvironmentEnvironment

Concepts Evaluation Concepts Evaluation (Cont’d)(Cont’d)

Sonic Testing- White NoiseSonic Testing- White NoiseFood QualityFood QualitySpeed, Cost, Accuracy, Portability, Easy to UseSpeed, Cost, Accuracy, Portability, Easy to Use Need Controlled ConditionsNeed Controlled Conditions

InfraredInfraredAccuracy, Speed, Food QualityAccuracy, Speed, Food QualityExpensive(Cost & Maintenance], Easy, Expensive(Cost & Maintenance], Easy,

PortabilityPortability High Power, Auxillary Equiptment NeededHigh Power, Auxillary Equiptment Needed

Concept Evaluation Concept Evaluation (Cont’d)(Cont’d) Energy ImpactEnergy Impact

Quick, Easy, Food Quality, Portability, DurabilityQuick, Easy, Food Quality, Portability, Durability AccuracyAccuracy Related to External Properties, Not InternalRelated to External Properties, Not Internal

Strain GaugeStrain Gauge Portable, Food QualityPortable, Food Quality Easy to Use, Speed, AccuracyEasy to Use, Speed, Accuracy Related to Rind PropertiesRelated to Rind Properties

Fluid Extraction With SyringeFluid Extraction With Syringe Accuracy, Portability, Easy to UseAccuracy, Portability, Easy to Use Food Quality, MaintenanceFood Quality, Maintenance IntrusiveIntrusive

UltrasoundUltrasound

Testing - CCMTesting - CCM Catch 22Catch 22

High Frequency - Cannot Penetrate RindHigh Frequency - Cannot Penetrate Rind Low Frequency - Cannot Sense Density Low Frequency - Cannot Sense Density

ChangesChanges Other Problems - Air Pockets, SeedsOther Problems - Air Pockets, Seeds Food Quality, Service Life, VersatilityFood Quality, Service Life, Versatility Accuracy, Portability, Cost, SpeedAccuracy, Portability, Cost, Speed

Not a Viable Sensing MechanismNot a Viable Sensing Mechanism

Electrical Electrical Properties Properties

Resistance TestingResistance Testing RC Modeling RC Modeling Data Normalized For Physical Data Normalized For Physical

Parameters & Sugar ContentParameters & Sugar Content Portability, Cost, Maintenance, Service LifePortability, Cost, Maintenance, Service Life Accuracy, Food Quality, SpeedAccuracy, Food Quality, Speed

No Correlation Found - Not a Viable No Correlation Found - Not a Viable Sensing MechanismSensing Mechanism

Electric Electric Testing Testing

Steady State Voltage Difference vs. Sugar Content

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

8 9 10 11 12

% Sugar Content

Ste

ady

Sta

te V

olt

age

Dif

fere

nce

(m

V)

LC2-WC2

#7 - Charging

y = 19.28Ln(x) + 4132

y = 17.048Ln(x) + 3863.8

3700

3800

3900

4000

4100

4200

4300

0 50 100 150

VA

VB

Log. (VA)

Log. (VB)

Acoustic Resonance Acoustic Resonance TestingTesting

Based on Traditional Based on Traditional MethodMethod

Acoustic Properties Acoustic Properties have been used to have been used to indicate ripenessindicate ripeness

Accuracy, Portability, Food Accuracy, Portability, Food Quality, Cost, Easy, FastQuality, Cost, Easy, Fast

MaintenanceMaintenance

Concept SelectionConcept Selection

Acoustic TestingAcoustic Testing• Scored Highest in SSD - Received 8.9 / 10.0Scored Highest in SSD - Received 8.9 / 10.0• Historical Basis - BenchmarkingHistorical Basis - Benchmarking

• Four main parts: Four main parts: Sensory, Data Acquisition, Sensory, Data Acquisition, Data Analysis, Display/InterfaceData Analysis, Display/Interface

• Focus on Sensory Portion of Design Focus on Sensory Portion of Design Development Development

Concept Selection - Concept Selection - MetricsMetrics

Want/MetricWant/Metric ValueValue Accuracy Accuracy >present>present PortabilityPortability 30lbs, 1 Person, 30lbs, 1 Person,

2’ sides2’ sides Cost Cost $950 $950 Speed Speed <10sec<10sec Food QualityFood Quality 0 Bacteria, Non-0 Bacteria, Non-

IntrusiveIntrusive # of Uses# of Uses Local VarietiesLocal Varieties

Concept Selection - Concept Selection - TestingTesting

• Performed Testing - 18 melonsPerformed Testing - 18 melons– All melons were in ripe range (8 - 12% sugar)All melons were in ripe range (8 - 12% sugar)

• Determined Repeatability and ReliabilityDetermined Repeatability and Reliability– Impact Height, Turning, Repeated TestingImpact Height, Turning, Repeated Testing

Concept Selection - Concept Selection - TestingTesting

ConclusionsConclusions Audible Signature Noticeable Audible Signature Noticeable No Negative DataNo Negative Data Need Further Testing - VarietyNeed Further Testing - Variety

Grow green melonsGrow green melons Possible Correlations - Possible Correlations -

Secondary SpikesSecondary Spikes Damping CharacteristicsDamping Characteristics

Working ModelWorking Model

Two Component Working ModelTwo Component Working Model (i) - Experimental Set up - Dr. Sun’s (i) - Experimental Set up - Dr. Sun’s

LabLab (ii) - Working Model(ii) - Working Model

Planned Schedule Planned Schedule Task Duration Start Date Finish Date

Continued Research, Consulting & Testing 27 days October 28, 1998 December 3, 1998Acoustic Testing and Collection of Data 4 days October 28, 1998 November 2, 1998Analysis of Acoustic Data 5 days November 3, 1998 November 9, 1998Electrical Properties Initial Tests 1 day October 28, 1998 October 28, 1998Electrical Properties Apparatus Setup 1 day October 28, 1998 October 28, 1998Electrical Properties Data Collection 4 days October 29, 1998 November 3, 1998Analysis of Elec. Prop. Data 4 days November 4, 1998 November 9, 1998Determine if Ultrasound is possible 3 days October 28, 1998 October 30, 1998Test Extractrion with Needle 1 day November 3, 1998 November 3, 1998Do Destructive Evaluation of All Melons 1 day November 4, 1998 November 4, 1998Corelate Data 5 days November 9, 1998 November 13, 1998Arrange for Another Shipment of Melons 1 day November 5, 1998 November 5, 1998Determine and Arrange for Other Testing 4 days November 5, 1998 November 10, 1998Perform Further Testing 4 days November 11, 1998 November 16, 1998Draw Conclusions From New Tests 3 days November 17, 1998 November 19, 1998Prepare for Preliminary Design Report 3 days November 20, 1998 November 24, 1998Finalize Ideas & Prepare for Presentation 7 days November 25, 1998 December 3, 1998

Actual ScheduleActual Schedule

Task Duration Start Date Finish DateContinued Research, Consulting & Testing 37 days October 28, 1998 December 3, 1998Determine design of Thumping Device 3 days October 28, 1998 October 30, 1998Construction of Thumping device 2 days October 31, 1998 November 1, 1998Testing of Thumper 1 day November 2, 1998 November 2, 1998Redesign,fix and test Thumper 4 days November 3, 1998 November 6, 1998Finalize Testing Proceedure 2 days November 8, 1998 November 9, 1998Reliability and Repeatability Testing 1 day November 12, 1998 November 12, 1998Final Acoustic Data Acquisition 1 day November 13, 1998 November 13, 1998Acoustic Data Analysis 3 days November 19, 1998 November 21, 1998

Electrical Properties Initial Tests 1 day October 28, 1998 October 28, 1998Determine Most Important Parameters 9 days October 29, 1998 November 6, 1998Finialize Testing Proceedure 2 days November 7, 1998 November 8, 1998Electrical Properties Data Acquisition 1 day November 18, 1998 November 18, 1998Analysis of Elec. Prop. Data 3 days November 19, 1998 November 21, 1998

Rule Out Ultra Sound as a Solution 3 days October 28, 1998 October 30, 1998Arrange for Another Shipment of Melons 1 day November 2, 1998 November 2, 1998Arrival of New Shipment (18 melons) 1 day November 12, 1998 November 12, 1998Destructive Analysis of Melons 1 day November 20, 1998 November 20, 1998Corelate Data 3 days November 19, 1998 November 21, 1998Prepare for Preliminary Design Report 6 days November 18, 1998 November 23, 1998Finalize Ideas & Prepare for Presentation 7 days November 27, 1998 December 3, 1998

Future Critical TasksFuture Critical Tasks

Continue iterative concept evaluation Develop further the data acquisition & analysis

• Determine if we Can use a PCI or ISA card for data acquisition tasks Order used laptop or microprocessor to perform our calculations Determine software or computer code / learn

Obtain a shipment of melons of varying ripeness Grow watermelons in greenhouse & Obtain shipment of melons

Perform further acoustic testing and refine correlation

Refine the thumping device through continued testing

Take a tour of the farm and working environment Attend the watermelon growers convention

Estimated BudgetEstimated Budget

Microphone $ 2.99 Microprocessor/Laptop $ 350.00 Analog To Digital Converter $ 300.00 Digital Scale $ 100.00 Linear measuring Device $ 50.00 Base Plate w/attachments $ 40.00 Adjustable Thumper $ 20.00 Adjustable Microphone Mount $ 10.00 Testing/Analysis Hours 120 Hrs120 Hrs.. Testing Materials $700.00 Machine Shop Hours 40 Hrs. Total cost for Initial Concept Prototype$ 872.99

Conclusion - Project StatusConclusion - Project Status

Refinement of Refinement of Wants/Benchmarking/MetricsWants/Benchmarking/Metrics

Concept GenerationConcept Generation Testing and EvaluationTesting and Evaluation

Physical TestingPhysical Testing MetricsMetrics

Concept Selection/ DesignConcept Selection/ Design Working ModelWorking Model Future Activities - ScheduledFuture Activities - Scheduled

Project GoalProject Goal

Satisfied Satisfied Customers!Customers!