A first glimpse of an upcoming design.
SieveBot is designed to automate wet sieving of sediments. SieveBot automatically rotates the sieve while spraying the sample with water. The fine fraction is then passed through a funnel for collection or disposal.
Features:
- Adjustable spray and sieve rotation rates.
- Spray rate can be constant flow, or pulsed at three different rates.
- Adjustable water volume. SieveBot automatically stops once the volume of water sprayed is used up.
- Minimal infrastructure required. Sievebot can use any water source. SieveBot has an autopriming water pump built in. It can operate from a jerry can or other water container, or, if necessary, from simply dipping the inlet hose into a jug of water. This makes Sievebot ideal for use in a general purpose lab, as no permanent infrastructure is required.
- SieveBot uses a single USB power source for each unit. SieveBot can even operate in the field from a car or battery.
- SieveBot is adaptable. The sieving platform and rotator are designed to be exchanged to cater for sieves of different sizes. The prototype design uses 10cm /4″sieves.
- The underside of the rotator and its drive gear is customisable to allow for wave, tapping, and other vertical motions along with the rotation.
- SieveBot has room for a stack of several sieves.
The intended final design features a pair of SieveBots on a perspex table ~600mm wide. This table can be placed over a sink if the user intends to dispose of the fine fraction , or on a desk with collection containers beneath the outlet funnels. When combined with the adjustable water volume limit, this permits the automated collection of the fine fraction without overflowing the collection containers.
