Development of microcontroller-based bar feeder system for power hacksaw/
Lineilla C. Fajardo, Trisha Mae P. Guevarra, Leonard N. Laborte, Jannella Kyle M. Naceda, Cyber Rose C. Requirme, and John Kenneth B. Sapallo.--
- Manila: Technological University of the Philippines, 2025.
- xiv, 133pages: 29cm.
Bachelor's thesis
College Of Industrial Technology.--
Includes bibliographic references and index.
This thesis focused on the development of a microcontroller-based bar feeder system for a power hacksaw, aiming to automate metal feeding and improve efficiency over traditional manual methods. The system was designed to deliver consistent feed lengths while reducing human error. The prototype underwent two tests: the accuracy of feed length and the reliability of bar feeding speed. Across all tested lengths, minor discrepancies in feed accuracy were observed, influenced by factors such as mechanical play, vibration, and sensor placement. For the 50 mm target, the mean feed was 49.8 mm (SD = 0.75), while 100 mm trials averaged 99.67 mm (SD = 2.08). At 150 mm, feeds ranged from 148.5 to 152 mm (mean = 149.83 mm, SD = 1.89), and 200 mm trials showed overfeeding with a mean of 213.33 mm (SD = 2.40), suggesting alignment or calibration issues. The 500 mm trials showed minimal deviation (mean = 500.67 mm, range = ±3 mm). Feeding speed tests showed that the time required for feeding increased proportionally with the feed length. The system was consistent, and there was little variance in feeding times across the different tested lengths, e.g., at 150 mm it had a standard deviation of only 0.08 seconds. Although it had some inaccuracies, it was rated at 4.24 out of 5, which is a very satisfactory rating given by both the users and the experts. Such a grade was a measure of the simplicity of use and the possibility of streamlining the working routines within the workshop scenario. Additional work is yet to be done to ensure the highest performance at long lengths.