NOSAKHARE ENOMA

Automated gate systems have become essential in modern residential security due to the need for controlled access and reduced manual operation. Traditional manually operated gates often pose safety risks, increase security vulnerabilities, and require physical effort from users. This project presents the virtual design and simulation of an automated residential sliding gate using SolidWorks for mechanical modeling and Proteus for electronic control simulation. The system integrates key mechanical components such as the gate frame, rollers, track, and rack-and-pinion mechanism, alongside a microcontroller-based control circuit designed to operate the motor responsible for gate movement. The SolidWorks simulation was used to analyze the gate’s mechanical performance, focusing on linear motion, component alignment, and the conversion of rotational motor input into smooth sliding action. Proteus was employed to simulate the automation logic, including motor activation, direction control, and stopping at predefined limits. These simulations allowed full validation of system behavior without physical prototyping, reducing cost and eliminating real- world testing constraints. Results from both platforms confirmed that the gate moves smoothly, responds correctly to control inputs, and maintains proper synchronization between mechanical and electronic subsystems. The study demonstrates that virtual simulation tools provide an effective method for evaluating automated gate mechanisms before fabrication. The design also offers a foundation for future enhancements such as remote wireless control, improved safety features, and integration with smart-home systems.

This study presents the design, modeling, and simulation of a dual-shaft plastic shredder for recycling polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) waste. The research addresses the challenge of plastic pollution in Nigeria through a simulation-driven engineering approach that eliminates costly physical prototyping.
Using SolidWorks 2025 for computer-aided design (CAD) modeling and finite-element analysis (FEA), a comprehensive digital prototype was developed and validated. The shredder features two counter-rotating 50 mm diameter EN8 steel shafts with 32 AISI D2 tool steel blades, driven by a 2.2 kW three-phase motor operating at 120 rpm. Design specifications target a hroughput
capacity of 40–60 kg/hr with output flake sizes of 10–15 mm.
Validation was performed through three complementary methods: mesh convergence analysis confirmed solution independence with less than 4.2% variation in maximum stress; analytical validation using classical beam bending and torsion theory yielded results within 11.7% of FEA predictions (analytical: 132.3 MPa; FEA: 148.2 MPa); and mesh quality assessment confirmed
computational reliability with Jacobian ratios between 1.0 and 4.982. Simulation results demonstrate structural integrity with a maximum Von Mises stress of 148.2 MPa (33% of EN8 steel yield strength), negligible shaft deflection of 0.003 mm, and a minimum factor of safety of 3.2, exceeding the design requirement of 2.0 by 60%. The study successfully demonstrates that computer-aided simulation can produce reliable, optimized recycling machinery designs suitable for local fabrication, contributing to sustainable waste management solutions in developing economies.