Oliver Saxby

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University of Nottingham > Engineering > Departments > Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering > PDM Exhibitions > 2024 > MEng students > Oliver Saxby

Creating an unmanned bulk goods dispensing machine for students.

Hi! My name’s Oli.

I love seeing something that was once an image in my head as something I can touch and feel in my hands. Imparting my own ideas into the world physically I find a truly exciting responsibility.

I initially didn’t think Product Design could be real, so initially ignored it, choosing the more traditional Civil Engineering route. I studied a whole year before realising the lack of creativity was killing me. I (re)discovered product design and couldn’t believe a world existed that blended the technical understanding to create functional, real-world items with the freedom to explore and be expressive with one’s own ideas and style. So, I switched, and have never looked back.

I thrive when ideating and find uncertainty exciting. I believe all ideas deserve consideration, as seemingly crazy concepts often lead to neat and innovative solutions. Beyond ideation, I excel in SolidWorks 3D modelling. My approach to modelling is methodical, producing robust, efficient, and highly detailed models that clearly convey my design intent. I am a cereal prototyper, constantly 3D printing, creating mock-ups, and utilizing VR. The decision-making process becomes significantly simpler when you can feel, see, and test a prototype. Quick models also allow others to bring their ideas to your project. I love graphic design and the challenge of presenting information both beautifully and efficiently. I like to keep visuals playful and light, using graphical principles to minimise viewer cognitive effort and offer a clear and enjoyable experience through my design boards.

When I’m not designing, I’m likely doing some kind of sport/activity. I’m a passionate volleyball player but love just being active and outdoors. I love thinking about psychology and habits and the innovative thinking required to influence them for the better. I found this a stimulating challenge throughout my major project, to create a smart system that functioned well, but more importantly, captured the correct users to maximise the positive impact long term.

Oliver Saxby, MEng Product Design and Manufacture

Smart Pantry - A Bulk Goods Refill System Designed for Students

Why Should Smart Pantry Exist?

83% of UK consumers are concerned about the amount of plastic pollution they bring home in their weekly shop and the same number feel frustrated, worried, or powerless about it 1. It seems crazy that most people in the UK still have no choice but to bring home bags and bags of unwanted single-use-plastic every shop, when buying repeat staple items such as pasta, rice, oats, coffee, and powder detergent. In the UN’s roadmap to ‘end plastic pollution’ they suggest reuse systems provide the highest opportunity to reduce plastic pollution, with predictions for contributing a 30% reduction in world plastic production by 20402. They suggest the need to ‘transform the throwaway economy into a circular reuse society,’ so not just a physical change, but also a societal attitude shift.

From all of this, the concept of Smart Pantry was born. An unmanned bulk goods ‘vending’ machine, operating for 24 hours which can counteract the poor availability and convenience of existing refill options. After some exploration, it was decided a suitable place to start would be the student community. Students tend to build their shopping habits at university, and if reuse can be integrated into the foundation, they will naturally continue the practice as they enter society.

How Smart Pantry Works

Users activate the system via the Smart Pantry App, which provides a personalised QR code for machine access. Through the app, they can top up their account, track their climate impact, connect with other users, and enjoy various other features.

The system uses a ‘smart container’ designed to prevent tampering and spillage. Held together with elastic bands and magnets, it requires no secondary welding or adhesive processes and is entirely disassemblable by the user. This design makes it low-cost and low-carbon to produce while remaining a desirable, reusable container for students. Societies, clubs, and brands can customise different parts, allowing users to express themselves through their containers.

Level sensing cameras and load cells in the machine ensure a quick and controlled experience, letting users choose to fill their containers by weight or volume. A stepper motor controls the exit hatch, and ambient light sensors notify maintainers when hoppers are empty.

The hopper is split into two sections, including a 20-litre removable section for cleaning, refilling, and replacing. A sliding trap door system allows goods to be released into the base with the pull of a retractable handle, priming the hoppers for dispensing.