Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (JMET)

EFFECT OF VARIOUS FIBRE LOADINGS OF PINEAPPLE LEAF FIBRE ON POLYLACTIC ACID COMPOSITES FILAMENT

2024-09-25T15:40:25+00:00

Recently, natural fibres have been widely utilized because they are firmer and have higher strength comparable to synthetic fibres. Every fibre has various properties, and polymer composites reinforced with natural fibre are known to have superior mechanical properties. In this study, the pineapple leaf fibre/polylactic acid (PALF/PLA) composites filaments are developed with several processes, including grinding, sieving, chemical treatment, and hot compression on the composites with various fibre loadings of 1, 3, and 5%, continued with the crushing and the extrusion processes. Then, mechanical testing for specific flexural and tensile testing was conducted on the PALF/PLA filament composites. The findings showed that the PALF/PLA composites with a 5% fibre loading exhibited the highest mechanical properties in both flexural and tensile properties. In conclusion, 5% fibre loading of PALF/PLA composites filaments can be used as an alternative material to replace pure PLA

DEVELOPMENT OF SOLAR COOKER USING PARABOLIC REFLECTORS

2024-09-25T15:40:25+00:00

For cooking we generally make use of gas which is a commercial source. Solar energy is a renewable and non-commercial source which is adequately available for usage. So the idea of making use of solar energy to cook brought the existence of solar cookers. But the main problem with the model with it is, it is not effective during day start and end because rays cannot incident completely over it. So it takes more time to cook. So to overcome this issue, usage of a parabolic reflector is the solution where the incident rays meet at the focus which generate more heat and results in faster cooking that saves time.

BLUETOOTH OPERATED SCISSOR JACK: THE FUTURE OF VEHICLE LIFTING EQUIPMENT FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

2024-09-25T15:40:25+00:00

The tire exchange process can be a daunting task for people with limited abilities. As the physical effort required for the conventional vehicle jack operation can be difficult or impossible for some people. Hence, manufacturers have developed electrical scissor jacks that can be controlled remotely. These jacks eliminate the need for exerting any physical effort so that people with limited abilities can change their own tires. However, commercial electrical jacks are expensive, not always available in developing countries at reasonable prices. Moreover, they are controlled using a wired remote-control device and powered by connecting alligator cables to the vehicles’ battery. This paper presents the procedures needed to convert a manual commercial scissor jack to a smartphone-controlled one using developing country local market components. The jack is controlled via Bluetooth connected device and can be powered by the vehicle's cigarette lighter receptables, alligator cables, or AC power outlet. In addition, emergency buttons are attached to the control unit in case smartphone application suddenly malfunctions during the lifting process. The prototype was successfully tested and was able to lift a vehicle 25 cm in less than two minutes. This is a significant improvement over manual jacks, which can take up to four minutes to lift the same distance. The proposed smartphone-controlled scissor jack is a valuable tool for people with limited abilities, as it makes the tire exchange process much easier and faster. The low cost and local availability of the components make it a viable option for developing countries.