Engineering Design Project
Engineering Design for Wink Solutions’ Currency Sanitiser Machine
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world faced unprecedented challenges in maintaining public health and safety. One such challenge was the potential transmission of the virus through physical currency. Recognising this, Wink Solutions, a pioneering company in innovative solutions, embarked on a mission to develop a currency sanitiser machine. This groundbreaking project aimed to provide a safe and effective way to sanitise banknotes and coins, thereby reducing the risk of virus transmission. As part of the engineering design team at KEVOS, we had the privilege of contributing to this vital initiative, which addressed a critical need and garnered significant media attention, including an interview with our founding partner, David Gardner, on an Australian news channel.
The currency sanitiser machine was designed to be compact and user-friendly, and it could be deployed in various settings, such as banks, retail stores, and public transportation hubs. Its primary function was to sanitise physical currency using advanced technologies, ensuring each banknote and coin was thoroughly disinfected without compromising its integrity. The machine incorporated a combination of UV light and heat to achieve optimal sanitisation, a method proven effective against a wide range of pathogens, including the COVID-19 virus.
The journey began with the conceptualisation phase, where our team at KEVOS utilised Autodesk Inventor to create detailed 3D models of the machine. This powerful CAD software allowed us to visualise the machine’s components, simulate their interactions, and iterate on the design to achieve the best possible configuration. Once the initial design was finalised, we collaborated with an external prototyping service to bring our vision to life. The prototypes served as a crucial testing ground, enabling us to identify areas for improvement and refine the design further.
As the project progressed, our role at KEVOS became increasingly pivotal. Tasked with enhancing the design for manufacturability, we focused on the mechanical aspects of the machine, excluding the electronics. This involved a meticulous review of each component to ensure it could be produced efficiently and cost-effectively at scale. We worked closely with the innovator, incorporating their insights and feedback to optimise the design. Our contributions included redesigning the currency handling mechanism to accommodate various denominations and types of currency, from delicate paper notes to robust coins. Additionally, we engineered the sanitisation chamber to maximise exposure to UV light and heat while minimising the risk of damage to the currency. Through rigorous testing and iteration, we ensured that the machine not only met functional requirements but also adhered to the highest standards of quality and reliability.
One of the primary challenges was designing a system that could handle the diverse physical properties of currency. Paper notes required gentle handling to prevent tearing, while coins needed a robust mechanism to ensure they were adequately sanitised. To address this, we developed a dual-path system within the machine: one path for notes, featuring soft rollers and a carefully calibrated UV exposure time, and another for coins, utilising a tumbling mechanism combined with heat treatment. Another challenge was ensuring the machine’s durability and ease of maintenance, as it would be subjected to frequent use in public settings. We selected high-quality, wear-resistant materials for critical components and designed the machine with modular parts that could be easily replaced or serviced.
The culmination of our efforts at KEVOS was a currency sanitiser machine that not only met but exceeded expectations. Its innovative design and practical application quickly garnered attention, leading to coverage by an Australian news channel. In an interview, our founding partner, David Gardner, highlighted the machine’s potential to revolutionise public health measures in the face of the pandemic. The media coverage underscored the significance of our work and the positive impact it could have on communities worldwide.
In conclusion, our collaboration with Wink Solutions on the currency sanitiser machine exemplifies our commitment to innovation and excellence in engineering design. Through our expertise in mechanical design and manufacturability, we played a crucial role in bringing this revolutionary product to market, contributing to global efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.