The BALTO Filter a d esign for e merging m arkets project

1. The BALTO Filtera design for emerging markets project http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/africa/kenya.gif Conclusion HOW DOES IT WORK? Abstract Our filtration system utilizes a ceramic filter impregnated with colloidal silver. The ceramic pot is made from a mixture of plant material and clay. Thus, after the pot is fired, the miniscule cavities left by the plant material create a filtration matrix through which the dirty water flows. The ceramic pot filter filters out most impurities by trapping them in the system of pores. Colloidal silver, an antibacterial agent, breaks down the bacteria’s cell walls and causes them to die, thus leaving clean water. The filter flows through the ceramic filter fairly slowly but the flow rate can be increased by first stretching a fabric swatch over the pot’s opening to reduce turbidity before the pot’s filtration process begins. The filter can filter approximately .8 gallons of water per hour. The cart system utilizes a three wheel system. The two larger wheels carry most of the weight. The third wheel is much smaller and serves mostly as a guide wheel and stabilizer. The third wheel should keep the cart from bouncing around thus extending the cart’s life. The cart’s handle’s design is similar to a shopping cart because shopping carts seem to work for all heights and body types. The water containers can be easily removed and the cart can be used for alternative purposes when the containers are removed. The Balto: Water Filter and Transport System meets all of our customer needs; it is able to filter, distribute, and transport ten gallons of water on the terrain in rural Kenya. Our design is also sustainable, as it is created out of local resources and utilizes recycled bicycle wheels and as a result is cost effective. Our second design challenge is a combination of two of the Design for Emerging Markets (DEM) projects: “Filter Press” and “Put Wheels on Anything”. Our team decided to design a water transportation and filter system for a village in Kenya. Initially we conducted detailed research on the living conditions, economy, and local resources in Kenya, thus determining that the design had to be durable, made of local materials, and easy to assemble and repair. Hierarchical Customer Needs Assessment 1.0 Performance (0.48, 0.48) 1.1 Large Capacity for Water (0.1344,0.28) 1.2 Able to Distribute water (0.3216, 0.67) 1.3 Able to Expand to hold more water (.0288, 0.06) F.1 Siphon/Pump Water F.2 Filters Water to Safe Drinkable Levels 2.0 User-Friendly (0.19,0.19) 2.1 Easy to operate (.0456, 0.24) 2.2 Relatively Maintenance Free (0.0494, 0.26) 2.3 Cost to Consumer (0.0589,0.31) 2.4 Ease of Repair (0.0361, 0.19) 3.0 Portable (0.33,0.33) 3.1 Easy to maneuver (0.1221, 0.37) 3.2 Ergonomic to Use (0.0396, 0.12) 3.3 Useable on rural terrain (0.1221, 0.37) 3.4 Lightweight (0.0429, 0.13) C.1 Inexpensive to Manufacture C.2 Utilizes local resources Morphological Chart SCAMPER Chart Team Eight:Eric Sternberg, Leah Frederick, ,Steve Schweigert and Kelsi McKinley Lester