Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology

IPE 304
Product Design-I Sessional
Group A22

Lake/Pond trash cleaner with water quality monitoring system

Submitted to,
Dr. A.K.M Kais Bin Zaman
Professor, Industrial and Production Engineering, BUET.
Dr. A.B.M Mainul Bari
Assistant Professor,Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, BUET.
Zahin Ar Rafi
Lecturer, Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, BUET.

Submitted by,

1808031-Anika Tahsin

1808032-Nafisa Anjum Rafa

1808033-Samiran Bhowmik

1808034-Md Raisul Hoque Rifat

1808035-Md Sabbir Hossain

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 Chapter-01

Introduction

1.1 Product Design

The process of conceptualizing, creating, and commercializing a product that addresses a

consumer problem is known as product design. Modern product design also includes digital
items (such as websites and apps), although it is typically associated with physical products. To
put it another way, product design is the method designers use to combine customer wants with
corporate objectives so that businesses may continuously produce effective goods.

Figure 1.1: Steps of Product Design Process.

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1.2 Proposed Product Ideas

1.2.1 Multipurpose Farmers’ Equipment

We proposed a product that will perform tilling, sowing, and irrigation simultaneously. We
planned to incorporate a tiller and a sowing attachment in a frame with two wheels that will be
partially powered by electricity. We planned to add an attachment for the sowing of seeds that
will have a slotted plastic wheel which will be rotated by the drive transmitted from the main
wheels with the help of a belt or chain system. The slotted wheel will portion the seeds poured
through a funnel and drop off one slot full of seeds at a time while it rotates.

We also planned to attach a water chamber that can be used if irrigation is needed. We also
thought of providing a shade fixed with the frame of the product that will protect the operator
from adverse weather.

1.2.2 Hands-free easy compost maker

The product we proposed was a set of bicycle-powered waste food shredder and a compost
tumbler.

The shredding will be performed by power-driven from the paddling of a bicycle. The shredded
parts of the waste will be dropped into the compost tumbler, which can be rotated by a gear
mechanism to mix up the substances properly.

Our target customers were those who already own a bicycle and the farms or garden owners.

1.2.3 Lake/Pond trash cleaner with water quality monitoring system

We offered a product that will collect trash from the lake/pond as well as will measure the
quality of water.

We will design a product that will be installed with a sensor that will monitor the different
parameters that affect the quality of water (pH, TDS, EC, SG, salinity, and water temperature).
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The product will float on the water surface with the help of an electric motor and can be
controlled by a remote controller which ensures that it can reach every location of the waterbody
to check if it is suitable for fish to survive and grow properly.

1.3 Product Selected

The "Lake/Pond trash cleaner with water quality monitoring system" was chosen as our project
after we presented three different product concepts for our Product Design Sessional-I course
considering the feasibility, unique, and user-friendly features included in the product.

1.3.1 Background

From the Bangladeshi perspective, we focus on the people associated with aquaculture projects.
It is very difficult to monitor all the necessary parameters for fish farming. The aquafarmers even
do not have the proper equipment to measure the pH (measuring acidity/alkalinity), TDS (Total
dissolved solids), EC (Electrical conductivity), DO (Dissolved oxygen), salinity, and temperature
of the water. They take the highest care of the organisms but the growth of those is not up to the
mark because of the imbalance of any of these parameters.

Aquaculture species like fish, aquatic plants, and algae will generally die if the pH is less than
4(highly acidic) or greater than 11(highly alkaline). Most species can tolerate a pH between 6
and 9 fairly well, but they are usually stressed by the pH range outside this limit, resulting in less
growth and greater sensitivity to disease.

TDS is the sum of all the chemical ions dissolved in the water. The density of TDS determines
the flow of water in and out of an organism’s cell. So Very High or low concentrations can
worsen the growth of fishes and causes death. Also, different fishes require different TDS.

A balanced amount of dissolved oxygen is essential for most living organisms’ respiration. The
warmer the water and the more saline the water, the less oxygen it can be held. So, temperature
and salinity are also important for fish growth.

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Thus, cleaning the pond’s water and checking all the parameters defining the better quality of
water for aquafarming are our main concerns now.

So, we are offering our product the untrained and little knowledgeable aquafarmers to make their
work easy. The product would be easy to operate.

1.3.2 Features

 Power System:
The project consists of a motor-operated water wheel to run the product. The motor used
in this product is a DC motor.
 Drive System:
The device which is running the project is a chain drive coupled with a collecting plate.
The project consists of two main shafts balancing and hoisting the sprocket of the chain
drive.
 Main Frame:
The components rest on a frame that serves as the main body of the product. The main
frame will be fabricated in a way that it can float. It will be lightweight and will be able
to withstand currents from the water.
 Storage Unit:
A storage tank will be used to store the trash. This will be made out of thin polymeric
materials that are lightweight.
 Sensing System:
A sensor will be used to monitor the quality of water. We will use a multiparameter water
quality monitor that can monitor pH, salinity, TDS, EC, SG, and temperature. The sensor
will be corrosion-resistant and will have a long service life.
 Control System:
The product will be controlled by a remote controller. The controlling mechanism will be
easy enough to be operated by anyone.
 Mobile App:

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 All the measured parameters will be displayed in an App called TUYA. This will also be
helpful to keep records of the quality of the water.

1.3.3 Cause for selection:

Our product "Lake cleaner with water quality monitoring system " is selected as we coincide
several interesting and important features in our proposal. We gave our teachers some hints
about what we have to do practically for the implementation of our idea. We have searched for
the availability of the combined pH, DO, TDS, and EC sensors in the online platform at different
reliable websites. We informed our teachers about that. Besides, our teachers asked us about the
power mechanism and remote-control mechanism and we slightly described our knowledge and
thoughts. Thus, according to our teachers, our proposal for this product seems very interesting
and feasible and they selected it for our group. We all know the importance of maintaining the
quality of water. Without maintaining the quality of water, we cannot ensure the existence and
natural growth of aquaculture species. It harms our environment and economy. Besides, our
product will also make trash cleaning of water easier. And we guarantee, aquafarmers will get a
reliable product for their work.

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 Chapter-02

Understanding Customer Needs through Survey

2.1 Introduction

We went out to find out what potential consumers of our product thought of it and what their
needs were. We first tried to identify the needs of the customers. We created a well-structured
and suitably ordered questionnaire, and we believe we succeeded because nearly every survey
respondent appeared to comprehend and respond to our questions the first time they were posed.

While surveying we have implemented two methods.

i. Direct Interview

ii. Questionnaire

It has helped us gather more data from different types of customers more efficiently. The total
number of people we have surveyed is 31. We have focused on some important factors during
the survey. Those are mentioned below:

1. We made sure that the population we have chosen for the survey is relevant to the data we are
obtaining. Not everybody requires a water quality monitoring device. So, we collected data from
people involved with aquaculture specifically.

2. If they were willing to participate in this survey, we asked them about the limitations they are
facing in the method they are using currently.

3. Lastly, we asked them their expected price for such a product.

2.2 Areas and locations of the survey

1. Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

2. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj

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3. Badsha Mia Fisheries, Kashiani, Gopalganj

2.3 Survey Result:

The survey was done among 32 people. The results of the survey are shown on the following
pages with the help of pie charts along with percentages:

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1. How are you involved with aquaculture?

a) I am a full-time aqua farmer

b) I am a seasonal aqua farmer
c) Owner of an aquaculture farm
d) Others
Table-1: Frequency Table for Question No. 01

Options Response Count(32) Percent Response (%)

I am a full-time aqua farmer 3 9.4

I am a seasonal aqua farmer 12 37.5

Owner of an aquaculture farm 4 12.5

Others 13 40.6

9% I am a full-time aqua farmer

I am a seasonal aqua farmer

41%

38% Owner of an aquaculture

farm

13% Others

2. What kind of organism do you prefer culturing?

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 a) Fish
b) Crustaceans (Shrimp, Crabs, etc.)
c) Aquatic Plants
d) Others

Table-2: Frequency Table for Question No. 02

Options Response Count (32) Percent Response (%)

Fish 22 68.8
Crustaceans (Shrimp, Crabs, 5 15.6
etc.)

Aquatic Plants 5 15.6

Others 0 0

16%
Fishes

Crustaceans (Shrimp, Crabs,

16% etc.)

Aquatic Plants
69%
Others

3. Select the difficulties you face the most in aquaculture?

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 a) To select a suitable waterbody
b) Cleaning
c) Maintaining
d) Others
Table-3: Frequency Table for Question No. 03

Options Response Count (32) Percent Response (%)

To select a suitable 4 12.5
waterbody

Cleaning 9 28.1
Maintaining 17 53.1
Others 2 6.3

6% 13%

To select a suitable waterbody

28% Cleaning
Maintaining
Others
53%

4. During which time of the year do you start the process of aqua farming?

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 a) Summer
b) Monsoon
c) Winter
d) Others

Table-4: Frequency Table for Question No. 04

Options Response Count (32) Percent Response (%)

Summer 11 34.4
Monsoon 15 46.9
Winter 5 15.6
Others 1 3.1

3%
16%

34%
Summer
Monsoon
Winter
Others

47%

5. Are you getting your desired outcome from your pond/lake?

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 a) Yes
b) No
c) Maybe

Table-5: Frequency Table for Question No. 05

Options Response Count (32) Percent Response (%)

Yes 5 15.6
No 11 34.4
Maybe 16 50

16%

Yes
50% No
Maybe

34%

6. How often do you check the quality of the water?

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 a) Never
b) Once a month
c) Twice a month
d) More often than that

Table-6: Frequency Table for Question No. 06

Options Response Count (32) Percent Response (%)

Never 6 18.8
Once a month 16 50
Twice a month 9 28.1
More often than that 1 3.1

3%
19%

28%
Never
Once a month
Twice a month
More often than that

50%

7. Are you able to check the quality of water yourself?

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 a) Yes
b) No (I get it done from labs)
c) N/A

Table-7: Frequency Table for Question No. 07

Options Response Count (32) Percent Response (%)

Yes 8 25
No (I get it done from labs) 18 56.3
N/A 6 18.8

19%
25%

Yes
No (I get it done from labs)
N/A

56%

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8. How much does it cost to get the quality of the water checked (in taka)?

a) 5000 or less
b) 6000-10000
c) 11000-15000
d) Above 15000

Table-8: Frequency Table for Question No. 08

Options Response Count (32) Percent Response (%)

5000 or less 15 46.9
6000-10000 14 43.8
11000-15000 1 3.1
Above 15000 2 6.2

6%
3%

5000 or less
47% 6000-10000
11000-15000
Above 15000
44%

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9. Do you own any equipment that can measure these parameters (pH, TDS, DO)?

a) Yes
b) No

Table-9: Frequency Table for Question No. 09

Options Response Count (32) Percent Response (%)

Yes 10 31.3
No 22 68.8

31%

Yes
Yes

69%

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10. Would you purchase a product that can measure these parameters (pH, TDS, DO)?

a) Yes
b) No

Table-10: Frequency Table for Question No. 10

Options Response Count (32) Percent Response (%)

Yes 26 81.3
No 6 18.8

19%

Yes
No

81%

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11. Do you have to clean water in your hatchery/pond?

a) Yes
b) No

Table-11: Frequency Table for Question No. 11

Options Response Count (32) Percent Response (%)

Yes 28 87.5
No 4 12.5

13%

Yes
No

88%

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12. How often do you have to clean water?

a) Twice a month
b) Once a month
c) Less frequently than above
d) Never

Table-12: Frequency Table for Question No. 12

Options Response Count (32) Percent Response (%)

Twice a month 7 21.9
Once a month 13 40.6
Less frequently than above 12 37.5
Never 0 0

22%

38%
Twice a month
Once a month
Less frequently than above
Never

41%

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13. What is the approximate cost of cleaning the water body in a month (in taka)?

a) 10000 or less
b) 11000-20000
c) 21000-30000
d) More than that

Table-13: Frequency Table for Question No. 13

Options Response Count (32) Percent Response (%)

10000 or less 23 71.9
11000-20000 7 21.9
21000-30000 1 3.1
More than that 1 3.1

3%3%

22%
10000 or less
11000-20000
21000-30000
More than that

72%

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14. Do you think a trash cleaner that would also measure water quality is user-friendly?

a) Yes
b) No
c) Maybe

Table-14: Frequency Table for Question No. 14

Options Response Count (32) Percent Response (%)

Yes 11 34.4
No 5 15.6
Maybe 16 50

34%
Yes
50% No
Maybe

16%

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15. Would you purchase a trash cleaner that would also ensure proper growth of the organism?

a) Yes
b) No
c) If the price is reasonable

Table-15: Frequency Table for Question No. 15

Options Response Count (32) Percent Response (%)

Yes 10 31.3
No 5 15.6
If the price is reasonable 17 53.1

31%

Yes
No
53% If the price is reasonable

16%

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16. How much do you think you would be benefitted from the product?

a) Very much
b) Moderately
c) Don’t get benefitted
d) Do not know

Table-16: Frequency Table for Question No. 16

Options Response Count (32) Percent Response (%)

Very much 8 25
Moderately 16 50
Don’t get benefitted 1 3.1
Do not know 7 21.9

22% 25%

Very much
3% Moderately
Don’t get benefitted
Do not know

50%

17. What is your expected price?

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 a) Around 10000
b) Around 15000
c) Around 20000
d) About 25000 or more

Table-17: Frequency Table for Question No. 17

Options Response Count (32) Percent Response (%)

Around 10000 14 43.8
Around 15000 13 40.6
Around 20000 3 9.4
About 25000 or more 2 6.2

6%
9%

Around 10000
44%
Around 15000
Around 20000
About 25000 or more

41%

18. Are you familiar with remote-controlled devices?

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 a) Yes
b) No

Table-18: Frequency Table for Question No. 18

Options Response Count (32) Percent Response (%)

Yes 22 68.8
No 10 31.3

31%

Yes
No

69%

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19. Are you comfortable using android apps?

a) Yes
b) No

Table-19: Frequency Table for Question No. 19

Options Response Count (32) Percent Response (%)

Yes 31 96.9
No 1 3.1

3%

Yes
No

97%

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20. If you can connect the product to your smartphone and can receive data directly to your
phone will it be helpful to you?

a) Yes
b) No
c) That doesn't matter

Table-20: Frequency Table for Question No. 20

Options Response Count (32) Percent Response (%)

Yes 30 93.8
No 1 3.1
That doesn't matter 1 3.1

3%3%

Yes
No
That doesn't matter

94%

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2.4 Customer Requirement Evaluation

Relative Importance
Customer Requirement (Scale of 10)

Ease of use 8

Stability 7

Low Cost 10

Less time consuming 9

Multipurpose 8

Reliability 7

Easy to move 8

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 Chapter-03
Incorporating the Voice of Customer in Product Design
with Quality Function Deployment (QFD)

3.1 Introduction:

QFD which stands for Quality Function Deployment is a structured approach to identifying
customer demands and translating these needs into specific plans to design the product or service
to achieve the highest customer satisfaction.
For implementing QFD, three main steps are taken:
1. Give priority to both spoken and unspoken customer wants.
2. Convert the customers’ requirements into technical terms and specifications.
3. Emphasize customer satisfaction and deliver a quality product or service.

"Voice of the customer" is utilized to gather requirements and comments from customers. To
identify all the changing needs of the customers over time, we have to be consistently innovative
with the process. The “voice of the customers” describes both the explicit and implicit
customers’ demands. There are several techniques to record the customer's voice: Direct
conversation or interviews, surveys, focus groups, customer specifications, observations, the
expiration date of the warranty, field reports, complaint records, etc.

The QFD approach uses a matrix form known as the “House of Quality” (HoQ), it helps to
translate the customers’ requirements, identified from the process “voice of the customer”, into
the desired product or service in terms of technical design values.

In our survey, we have collected data from customers via a google form, sometimes via mobile
phone or face-to-face interviews. So, we understand the customer demands including this
product. Now its time to evaluate the importance of each of the customers’ requirements and
compare these requirements with technical and financial availabilities.

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House of Quality for Lake/Pond Trash Cleaner with Water Quality Monitoring System

Highly Positive Relationship ++

+
+ Positive Relationship +
++ ++
Highly Negative Relationship –
High Relationship □ +
Negative Relationship -
(Rating=5) ++ +
Medium Relationship ◊ + +
++ ++
(Rating=3)
+

Column 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Soft Competitive Analysis
Category Physical Electrical Mechanical Cost System
ware (0=Worst, 5=Best)
Engineering Our Company
Requirements

Operational and Fixed Cost

Programming Language
Height and Weight

Power Mechanism
Customer Rating

Maintenance Cost
Servomechanism
RS Hydro

Color and Shape

Remote Control

Our Company
User interface

River Cleaner
Wheel Speed
Motor Speed

RS Hydro
Category

Material
Row

River Cleaner
Customer
Requirements
1 2 3 4 5

1 Multipurpose 7       □ ○     □ ○ ○   □ 5 2 1  
Operations
2 Ease of Use 9       ◊ □         □ □ □ 4 3 2

3 Price Reasonable price 10 ○   ◊ □       ◊   ◊   ◊ 4 2 3

4 Reliability Reliability 6       ◊ ◊       □ ○ ◊   5 1 2

5 Stability 7 □ □ □       ◊           4 2 3
Functionality
6 Time Efficient 8       □   □ □   ◊   ○   3 4 2

7 Portability Easy To Move 8 ◊ □ ◊       □         ◊ 5 3 4

Importance Rating 69 75 89 170 70 40 101 65 61 88 71 71

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 Chapter-04
Functional Decomposition

4.1 Introduction

Functional decomposition is a method that decomposes a system into smaller subsystems

removing the complexity of the system. By decomposing, it offers a better understanding of the
overall system. A good functional decomposition is very useful for complex systems. A
functional decomposition diagram includes the main function or task and any essential
supporting functions or tasks required to complete the main function or job. The four basic steps
to develop a good functional decomposition are:

Step 1: Finding the Overall Function/Functions That Need to Be Accomplished:

All design problems have one or more than one major function. These are represented visually
by a diagram called black box diagrams. The inputs to this box are energy, material, and
information that flow into the boundary of the system and the outputs are what flow out of the
system.

Step 2: Creating Sub-function Descriptions:

This step focuses on determining the necessary sub-functions.

Step 3: Ordering the Sub-functions:

In this step, the functions found in step 2 to accomplish the overall function in step 1 are
organized in an orderly manner.

Step 4: Refining Sub-functions:

In this step, the sub-function structure is decomposed as finely as possible. It is also examined if
each sub- function can be further divided into more sub-functions.

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 4.2 Black Box Model of Functional Decomposition

The black box model is a representation of a system that can be viewed in terms of its inputs and
outputs without any knowledge of its internal working. Its implementation is “opaque”. The flow
of inputs (material, energy, and information) toward outputs is sufficient to describe the
functioning of a product.

The Black Box Model for our product is given below:

Energy

Material

Information

Mechanical and Kinetic

Mechanical Energy
Energy
Lake/Pond trash cleaner
Trash with water quality Trash
monitoring system
pH, TDS, DO reading
Lake Water

Figure 4.1: Black Box Model of the Lake/Pond trash cleaner with water quality monitoring
system.

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4.3 Component Hierarchy

Component hierarchy is a very efficient method of listing the components required to design a
product. The component hierarchy diagram simply divides the product into some core portions
and then lists the components for those portions. The portions are termed sub-assembly. If the
functions of all sub-assemblies are satisfied, it can be said that the product will function properly.
Function trees are easy to construct, but they cannot represent interactions between different sub-
assemblies.

Figure 4.2: Component Hierarchy of the Lake/Pond trash cleaner with water quality monitoring
system.

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4.4 Cluster Function Structure
Energy

Material

Information

Electrical
Motor Rotation of
Energy Wheel

Gear Box

Remote Downward
Servomotor Motion of
Signal
Sensor

Sensor Bluetooth Software Smartphone

Module

Electrical Motor Conveyor

Motion

Gearbox

Figure 4.3: Cluster Function Structure for Multipurpose water quality monitor.

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4.5 Conclusion

The three approaches we have used are quite helpful for producing a fruitful functional
decomposition. They each have distinct advantages of their own.

The Black Box model provides information on the product's whole input and output of materials,
energy, and information. However, what occurs inside the black box is invisible.

The cluster function structure illustrates the flow of material, energy, and information for the
entire product with the aid of a detailed picture.

And the component hierarchy for various mechanisms demonstrates the hierarchy of the levels of
ever more intricate processes inside the system.

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