Design Engineering
Showcase 2020

Disclaimer: My work at Arborea involved confidential technologies, so I am unable to discuss it in detail or show concrete examples.

I worked on one project at Arborea, co-ordinating with other team members. We were advancing a manufacturing process by making it more precise, with the ultimate goal of automating it. To begin with, this involved learning how their technology worked and understanding the system objectives. Following this, I carried out a phase of research and iterative design through sketching and CAD, guided by feedback from the other team members. I also performed cost analysis for each iteration. We planned to develop the system in stages, so this helped us identify what each one might be and what was economically viable for the first stage. Once this was finalised, we ordered the parts and I was able to assemble the system. For the final week of my placement I was able to spend time fine tuning and optimising it as well as carrying out tests.

In addition to this project I also worked on day to day operational tasks within the company. These involved working with their pilot algae system on various maintenance tasks, but also regularly taking algae samples and recording experimental data.

As a Mechanical Design Engineer, I was able to bring creative methodologies to the design process, whilst simultaneously leveraging and expanding my knowledge of mechanical processes. My design engineering background also prepared me to be adaptable and rapidly learn about the industry, given I had no prior experience with algae. This allowed me to develop an understanding of the context for the work I was doing.

The manufacturing process I was improving is for an important component required for each algae farm. Being able to manufacture the component much faster and without human error is needed as the company will be scaling up soon, so speed of manufacture will be necessary. Whilst I have not seen the project through to its completion, I have been able to contribute to it and carry out tests to better inform its future development.

Working at Arborea has been a great opportunity to broaden my engineering knowledge and put my skills to use in a professional environment. I have enjoyed learning about a completely new field and industry, particularly as it is one which has the possibility of having a large impact on the future. Our current food production practices are unsustainable, and Arborea is working to change this. I am proud to have worked for a company driving positive change in the world.