University Project: Design and Development of a Pipe Inspection Robot

This document is a Competency Demonstration Report (Career Episode 1) detailing the design and development of a pipe inspection robot. The project aimed to create a robot capable of entering pipelines to identify issues such as corrosion, leakage, and structural damage. The report covers the project background, objectives, the author's role as team leader, responsibilities, and distinctive activities including mathematical calculations for wheel selection and mechanism synthesis. The report also discusses the engineering knowledge applied, challenges faced, innovative solutions, and collaborative aspects of the project. Simulations of the robot's design are presented. The project's success is evaluated based on the robot's ability to navigate pipes and provide visual inspection, demonstrating the author's contributions to design, calculations, and overall project management. The report emphasizes the innovative design constraints, the collaborative effort of the team, and the successful outcome of the project in terms of its ability to perform pipe inspections.

COMPETENCY
DEMONSTRATION REPORT
Career Episode 1

CE 1.1 Project Information
Name of the project: Design and Development of Pipe Inspection Robot
Location of the project: [PLEASE FILL]
Project Duration: [PLEASE FILL]
Organization: [PLEASE FILL]
Role and Designation during the time: Team Leader
CE 1.2 Project Background
CE 1.2.1 Characteristics of the project
Robots have changed the way of livelihood for every individual and pipes are one of the
concerning section for the mechanical engineering projects. I considered piping as a point of
concern and proposed to develop a robot that can be driven inside the pipes and allows the
individual to inspect them and identify if there is any issue. I developed a robot that can enter the
piping and identify the corrosion, leakage, pitting, buckle, and many others. The proposed
project will be helpful in entering the entire piping network and identify the necessary changes. I
embedded relay switches, cameras, DC motors, translational components over the central rod
and many more in manner to proposed a feasible project.
CE 1.2.2 Objectives developed for the project
The team was comprised of five members and so, it was a concerning factor to develop
the objectives and goals those could be targeted for the successful accomplishment of the project

within the expected constraints. I had to lead the team and so, I developed the following set of
objectives in manner to keep the team concentring and delivering the project in successful and
efficient manner:
 To build a robot that can enter the pipelines where humans cannot go and provide
the visuals for considering the current status of the pipelines
 To efficiently identify the necessary repairing of the piping that can restrict from
hampering the better services to the common citizens
 To efficiently utilize the resources being transferred through the pipelines
 To develop a successful project within the expected and estimated project
constraints
CE 1.2.3 My area of work
I had to manage the mechanical works those are necessary for the delivery of the robot
and assure that the developed model is capable of accomplishing the operations related to the
entrance of the pipes and analysing the current status of the pipes. I had to lead the team towards
the accomplishment of the objective and goals and so I had to keep them always motivated
towards the successful delivery of the project and guide them at every step where there is
problem for them. I managed different activities for every team member as of their interest. I had
to analyse the mathematical calculations for selecting the wheels and synthesizing the
mechanism. I had to propose the design calculation that is efficient and suitable as per the
purpose being proposed and assemble the robot considering the lighter and strong materials those
could enhance the efficiency of the robot while moving inside the pipes.

CE 1.2.4 Project Group
CE 1.2.5 My responsibilities throughout the project
I took the responsibility of the material selection and assembling them for the
development of the robot. I have always interest in the mathematical calculations and hence,
second responsibility was to propose the calculations that will led the team members to manage
the model and shape of the robot. As a tea leader, I had to assure that every team member
effectively and efficiently deliver the project without being diverted on any operation and deliver
the entire project within the estimated timeline and budget. Assigned different roles for every
team member and assure that they are capable of delivering the necessary objectives and goals of
the project without altering the quality and standard.

CE 1.3 Distinctive Activity
CE 1.3.1 Comprehending the theory of the project
Designing the robot that can smoothly enter the piping network was the basic parameter
for the delivery of the project and that can only be achieved through executing efficient
calculations. The robot will be designed considering the smoothness and flexible enough to get
in every corner and gather the visuals for further modifications. Mathematical calculations were
most necessary considering the shape and size of the robot in manner make it flexible enough to
enter the pipes and reach every corner. The flexibility will be embedded through developing the
robot using many components those are lighter in weight and having enough friction to walk
inside the pipes despite of the rust or any other slipping material.
CE 1.3.2 Engineering knowledge and skills applied in the project
Every section of the project needed engineering knowledge to be executed in manner to
be successful and worth of working within the piping for identifying the damaged sections. The
wheel needed to be efficient enough that it can travel through the pipes despite of the material
being used that is whether concrete or PVC. I considered the diameter of the pipes for the
primary project to be 200 to 260 mm. I also calculated the power requirements considering 0.8 as
coefficient of friction as that of the PVC and rubber ranges between 0.5 – 0.7, and rubber and
concrete ranges between 0.6 – 0.85. I synthesizes the mechanism of the proposed robot and
identified that the parallelogram linkage would be better for the motion that is required for it. I
designed the following three simulations of the model of robot that I was proposing:

Fig. 1: Simulation position 1
Fig. 2: Simulation position 2
Fig. 3: Simulation position 3

CE 1.3.3 Accomplishment and task performed
I divided the project in different levels that including survey of the structure of the pipes
in manner to identify the exact angles and dimensions of the pipes for transferring the gas and
water. Thereafter, I had to execute the mathematical calculations based on he identified
dimensions and develop the model of the robot that is compatible within these dimensions and
can be operated in efficient and effective manner.
CE 1.3.4 Identified issues and their solutions
I identified that the shape of the robot will be the most crucial phase for this project as per
the collected data suggesting the different angles of the pipes and their length. I used the
parallelogram shape of the robot and executed the simulations as stated above. The proposed
shape was effective enough to be adjusted as per the height and angles of the pipe network The
shape and type of the materials being used were most crucial part of the project and I identified
that vehicle was getting heavy that was influencing the efficiency of the robot movement. I used
lightweight materials those are strong enough to be capable of moving the rod and camera for the
visual presentations. Having the proper weight and friction were the most effective concern
while driving the robot within the pipes assuring that the robot is capable of entering every
corner of the piping network.
CE 1.3.5 Plan to produce creative and innovative work
The proposed design of the robot was innovative of its own kind as it was designed after
considering several design constraints of the project as depicted in the following mathematical
formula:

Follopwing are the variables used in this formula:

CE 1.3.6 Collaborative work
The project would not had been completed without the contribution of the team members
as equal contribution had been made by every team member through accomplishing their
sections of the jobs. It helped in assuring that every section or phase of the project has been
accomplished in an efficient and effective manner. I managed the leadership and management of
the project operational activities through continuous monitoring and controlling the activities of
the team members in the way they had been proceeding.
CE 1.4 Project Review
CE .4.1 Project Overview
The developed project was successful as the proposed design and model was flexible
enough to be driven within the pipes and provide visual presentation of the current condition of
the pipes. I managed to monitor the entire growth and development of the project that was

helpful in developing the final project that can be beneficial for the entire group. I managed the
design of the robot and the mathematical calculations those were the most crucial part of the
project and assure that the calculated design and dimension of the robot is efficient enough to be
operated within the pipes.
CE 1.4.2 My contribution to work
I managed the entire project operational activities through continuous monitoring the
deliverables including roles and responsibilities of my team mates. I proposed the design of the
robot that can be successfully operated within the piping network of a city and analyse the
condition of the pipes and modifications necessary for the delivery of the project. I calculated the
mathematical dimensions and types of material necessary for the execution of the project.