M&M sorter showcases skills of engineering graduates

A machine that automatically sorts M&M chocolates into their different colours is the brainchild of one of Victoria’s first Engineering graduates.

Dayna-Maree Kivell built the M&M sorter for her final year project and this week will graduate with her classmates, the first graduates of the Bachelor of Engineering.

The M&M sorter uses a colour sensor that scans each M&M. The sensor looks at the amount of red, green and blue in each M&M to identify the colour before placing it in one of eight containers, one for each colour.

"It determines the colour very quickly,” says Dayna-Maree. “After that a turntable at the bottom rotates to allow the machine to drop the M&M in the relevant container. It all takes about five seconds.

"The idea was to simulate an industrial process—a car assembly plant for example—by using a programmable logic controller. We chose a sorting process and decided on the M&M’s because they demonstrated this process very visually."

Victoria began teaching the four-year Bachelor of Engineering degree in 2007, building on the University’s existing expertise from teaching the Bachelor of Information Technology and Bachelor of Science and Technology degrees.

The Engineering programme focuses on the digital technology that drives the modern world, from electronics to communications to software.

Of the graduating students, around half are currently working in the industry and the other half has gone on to further study.

Dayna-Maree is now doing her Master’s in Engineering and is working on developing materials and devices that can be used in ultrasound applications, such as medical ultrasound imaging.

Dean of Engineering Professor John Hine says that the project showcases the skills of Victoria’s Engineering graduates.

"The Bachelor of Engineering at Victoria has gone from strength to strength and last year received a very positive report from IPENZ (the Institution of Professional Engineers of New Zealand), which provided provisional accreditation for the degree.

"This is the sort of project that demonstrates the great innovation of our engineering students and their value to the industry."