Watermelon Ripeness Sensor Melon Inc. In Search of Perfect Melons. Jason L. Firko Allan Cohen Matt Behr Dave Bartoski

Watermelon Ripeness Sensor Team #2 Members : Jason Firko Allan Cohen Matt Behr Dave Bartoski Customer: Ed Kee Advisor: Dr. James Glancey Mission: Develop a non-destructive method and apparatus for accurately determining the ripeness of watermelons. Approach: Research and develop the best solution to the problem in accordance with customer wants, constraints and the engineering method. The solution will be developed using an iterative process to insure compliance with derived metrics.

Background w Watermelon Industry Key Facts: w Grown in 90 countries on 5 continents w Worldwide production: More than 50 Billion lbs./year w The U.S. is the fourth largest producer of watermelons w 70% of households in the U.S. buy watermelons each year w 33% of these buy at least 7 times per year w 75% of all watermelons are purchased whole

l Present problems due to inaccurate testing: Unneeded destruction of melons for inspectionUnneeded destruction of melons for inspection Loss of moneyLoss of money Poor quality of productPoor quality of product l Potential benefits of solution: Minimize wasteMinimize waste Reduce shipping costsReduce shipping costs Prevent rejection of shipmentsPrevent rejection of shipments Improve overall quality of the productImprove overall quality of the product Marketing advantageMarketing advantage Problem Description

Benefits of Solution: ÙStatistics for a shipment of melons: Ù2,000melons per. truck load (20lb. Avg. wt.) : 40,000 lbs. Ù$0.08/lb. for seeded, and $0.16/lb. for seedless. ÙTherefore total value = $3,200 - $6,400 + shipping costs ÙShipping costs average: $300 / load ÙTotal value from farmer to Broker: $3,500 - $ 6,700 / load ÙOther important Notes: ÙA shipment may be rejected for 2% unripe melons Ù10% seasonal average of unripe melons ÙSupplier responsible for all losses

Project Mission êDevelop a non-destructive method and apparatus for accurately determining the ripeness of watermelons.

Customers & Wants

Constraints l Maximum $3,000 budget l 95% minimum accuracy l Abide by all food safety standards (FDA) l Abide by all work safety standards (OSHA) l Non-destructive

Benchmarking ò Benchmarking Strategy òTraditional methods òBroad spectrum search of related methods òNarrowing of search to feasible techniques

Benchmarking Cont. ò Traditional Methods òThumping òStem color òSkin color òGermination period (35 days)

Benchmarking Cont. ò Related Procedures  Thumping/Resonance  Acoustic testing  Ultrasonic testing  Optoelectrics  Intrusive testing  Nuclear magnetic resonance  Electronic sensing of aromatic volatiles

Estimated Budget l Testing equipment: $1,000 (depending on availability of equipment) l Produce for testing: $0 l Prototype construction: $1,000 u Allowable Budget: $3,000 u Reserve Budget: $1,000

Schedule

Conclusion b Large market for watermelons b Definite need for non-destructive test b Numerous possible testing options b Currently contacting experts in each testing area