Project Details

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Autopen for Custom Greeting Card Creation

Company: PSU Engineering Leadership Development

Major(s):
Primary: IE
Secondary: ME
Optional: CMPEN, CMPSC, EE, ESC

Non-Disclosure Agreement: NO

Intellectual Property: NO

The goal of this project is to create a custom, robotic system that will create large quantities of "hand written" cards. Similar systems use a basic plotter or CNC type setup; however, these systems lack authenticity and require significant manual intervention. Two key features that will differentiate this design from others on the market will be: 1) a custom, easy-to-use, software interface for message customization, and 2) a mechanical system for auto-feeding and removing completing cards Similar to a large printer that contains a paper tray and an exit tray for completed prints, this system should allow for a "feeder" of blank cards and hold a stack of "completed cards" without user intervention. Additionally, it must include a software interface that is easy to use and allows for customized messages. The system should be designed to use standard Avery-style greeting cards that can be fed through a laser printer. It should operate either by battery or through a standard outlet. Custom messages should be input using a stylus such as an iPad Pencil. The system should be capable of producing at least 300 cards per "run." The completed design should be robust and have a professional look (electronics enclosed, soldered connections, wires cleanly routed, no sharp edges, etc.).