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Mechanical Design Engineer Needed — Phase 2 (Detailed CAD Engineering) for Automatic Dolma Rolling Machine Project Overview I'm developing a home-use automatic dolma (stuffed grape leaf) rolling machine — a compact countertop appliance that automatically feeds a grape leaf, dispenses a portion of filling (rice or meat), and rolls both into a finished dolma in one continuous motion. This product does not currently exist on the market in this form. Phase 1 (Product Architecture & Mechanism Development) is complete. I now have a validated concept, mechanism selection, and system architecture. I'm looking for an engineer to take this into Phase 2: full detailed CAD engineering. Reference materials from Phase 1 (concept sketches, mechanism selection, architecture notes, and reference image/video) will be shared with the selected candidate. Machine Architecture (established in Phase 1) The system includes the following subsystems: Automatic Leaf Magazine – A top-loading reservoir that stores a stack of grape (or cabbage) leaves. Leaf Separation & Alignment System – Separates a single leaf at a time from the stack, aligns it, and transports it to the filling station. Handles both fresh leaves and jarred/preserved leaves (more delicate and slightly oily). Filling Hopper & Portioning System – A dedicated chamber for rice-based or meat-based filling with an adjustable metering mechanism for consistent, repeatable portions. Folding & Rolling Assembly – A synchronized mechanism that folds and rolls the leaf around the filling into a uniform dolma. Finished Product Collection Area – An output tray where completed dolmas are deposited automatically. Key Design Requirements Production capacity: 7-9 dolmas per minute (a typical home batch is 40–60 pieces) Power source: Electric, corded — with an on/off switch and adjustable speed dial Finished dolma size: 2–3 inches long, ¾–1 inch in diameter Leaf compatibility: Must handle both fresh and preserved/jarred grape leaves (variation in leaf size, thickness, and texture needs to be accounted for in feeding and rolling tolerances) Form factor: Compact enough for home kitchen countertop use Materials: Food-safe materials throughout all filling and leaf contact surfaces Scope of This Engagement — Phase 2 Only: Detailed CAD Engineering Full 3D CAD assembly (parametric, editable) Motion and mechanism refinement based on the Phase 1 architecture Food-contact component design Material selection and food-safe material recommendations Manufacturing considerations (DFM) Note: Phase 3 (manufacturing drawings, assembly documentation, prototype-ready CAD files, and design review/revision support) is a separate, future engagement and is not part of this scope. Strong Phase 2 work may lead to being selected for Phase 3. Deliverables Refined mechanical design for the entire machine, leaf feeding, filling, and rolling mechanisms Full 3D CAD assembly (parametric, editable) Food-contact component specifications and material recommendations DFM notes/considerations for manufacturability Estimated Timeline 2–3 weeks, depending on revisions. Budget $400 - $700 depending on experience Required Skills & Experience Professional Mechanical Design Engineer / CAD Specialist with expertise in parametric 3D CAD design, mechanical systems, and product engineering Proven experience designing mechanical systems and components such as gears, shafts, bearings, housings, linkages, actuators, frames, and enclosures Proficiency in SolidWorks, Fusion 360, and/or AutoCAD, producing fully parametric, editable, manufacturing-ready CAD models Experience preparing models optimized for CNC machining, simulation, and future production Strong, demonstrable experience in food manufacturing or food-contact equipment design — this is a hard requirement, not a nice-to-have (understanding of food-safe materials, hygienic design principles, cleanability, and relevant food-equipment standards) Prior experience with kitchen appliances, food processing machines, or similar automated mechanical systems is a strong plus Experience designing feed/singulation mechanisms for flexible, non-uniform materials (e.g., sheets, leaves, dough, fabric) is a strong plus Strong portfolio showing robotics components, automotive parts, or industrial machine assemblies Questions for Applicants Please answer the following in your proposal: Have you worked on food appliance or kitchen gadget designs before? Please share relevant examples. Do you have experience designing mechanisms that handle variable/non-standardized materials (like grabe leaves)? Are you interested in and available for a potential follow-on Phase 3 engagement (manufacturing drawings and prototype-ready files) if Phase 2 goes well? I'm excited about this project and ready to move forward with the right person. Looking forward to your proposal!
Project ID: 40707889
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As a seasoned Mechanical Design Engineer, I understand the significance of thorough and meticulous 3D CAD engineering in meeting the detailed needs of your automatic Dolma rolling machine. With over 7 years of experience in product development, my expertise spans across multiple domains including consumer products and electromechanical systems — all transferrable to our project. My proficiency in SolidWorks, Fusion 360, and other CAD tools ensures that I can generate robust parametric designs while keeping manufacturability and cost-effectiveness at the forefront. What sets me apart is my significant understanding and experience within the food manufacturing industry — a vital requirement for this project. Having designed food-contact equipment previously, I possess deep insight into food-safe materials, hygienic design, cleanability as well as relevant food-equipment standards. This knowledge will aid me in optimizing the machine's mechanisms to meet stringent health and safety regulations.
$250 USD in 1 day
8.7
8.7

Hi, I'm confident that I can help bring your automatic dolma rolling machine from concept to reality in Phase 2. My specialties lie in precise and robust parametric 3D CAD design—the exact skills your project requires. Throughout the years, I have honed my ability to design complex mechanical systems, where gears, linkages, actuators, and housings must work intricately together and have the ability to address manufacturing concerns head-on. What sets me apart from other freelancers is my exposure to food-manufacturing projects like yours. Understanding the absolute necessity for food-safe materials and adhering to hygienic design principles go without saying for me. Not only will I ensure that the materials used abide by relevant food-equipment standards, but I'll also provide DFM notes geared towards ensuring manufacturability. Phase 3 success isn't just hoped for; it is expected! Strong performance in Phase 2 may lean towards my selection for the subsequent phase. Working on this project with such an innovative scope would be exciting for me personally—and naturally, I work better when passionate about what I do. Trust that I'll pour my fervor into this rendition of your dolma roller, yielding optimized CNC-ready models and securing the final design stages of your project. Let’s make these home dolma-making dreams a delicious reality with our collaborative effort.
$700 USD in 2 days
6.8
6.8

With extensive experience in 3D CAD design, mechanical systems, and product engineering, I'm confident in my ability to tackle the distinct challenges of your dolma roller project. My skills and proficiency with SolidWorks, Fusion 360, and AutoCAD enable me to produce meticulous, parametric designs that are manufacturing-ready and optimized for future production, including CNC machining. Efficiency and precision are my strong suits, ensuring we stay within the project's timelines.
$253 USD in 2 days
5.9
5.9

Having successfully developed complex electromechanical feeding and dispensing systems for previous projects, I'm confident in my ability to translate your validated Dolma Roller concept into robust, manufacturable CAD designs. My experience with intricate motion control and precision assembly mirrors the detailed engineering required for Phase 2. My approach will involve leveraging SolidWorks for all detailed design work, focusing on precise component modeling, assembly creation, and robust motion simulation to validate your mechanisms. I'll prioritize Design for Manufacturability (DFM) principles, ensuring components are optimized for cost-effective production and ease of assembly. This will include creating detailed drawings with GD&T for critical dimensions and tolerances. To ensure alignment, could you clarify the preferred level of detail for preliminary tooling considerations within the CAD models? Additionally, are there any specific manufacturing processes you've already identified or are leaning towards for key components? I'm eager to discuss how my expertise can bring your Dolma Roller to life; let's schedule a brief call to explore this further.
$590 USD in 21 days
5.6
5.6

With years of experience as a mechanical design engineer and CAD specialist, I know how to bring concepts to life. Your project excites me because it's more than just a piece of machinery - it's about bettering people's lives. My CAD skills are rooted not just in design or simulation, but also in designing for efficiency in manufacturing. I can create portable readable, parametric CAD models ready for CNC machining and simulation analysis. Understanding your unique food-contact component needs is at the forefront of my work. My strong grasp on food-safe materials, hygienic design principles, cleanability, and relevant food-equipment standards ensure your product will not only work flawlessly but also keep occupants safe from any potential risks. Plus, being well-proficient in programs like SolidWorks and AutoCAD means I can quickly grasp the implementation and design needs of your project for the next phases.
$500 USD in 7 days
5.7
5.7

The key technical risk is integrating the filling dispenser mechanism with the leaf feeding and rolling action without jamming, so I focus on precise timing and clearances in the 3D CAD model. I will build this detailed CAD engineering for your automatic dolma rolling machine using SolidWorks, creating fully assembled models with all parts precisely located and dimensioned for manufacturing. This includes all sub-assemblies and the final integrated machine. What mechanism is envisioned for dispensing the filling, rice or meat, as this impacts the inlet and nozzle design? I need your Phase 1 reference materials to start. I have a 5.0 rating across 10 reviews on here, and Preferred Freelancer status.
$390 USD in 21 days
3.2
3.2

Hi there, With over 55 successful projects and a 4.9★ rating, I'm M Mobasher, an experienced Mechanical Design Engineer and CAD Specialist with expertise in food manufacturing. I specialize in SolidWorks, Fusion 360, and AutoCAD which will enable me to design highly detailed and parametric models for your Automatic Dolma Rolling machine. My keen understanding of hygienic design principles, food-safe materials, and cleanability align perfectly with your critical project requirements. One of my key skills is producing fully parametric and manufacturing-ready CAD models, a capability that will enable us to optimize the designs for CNC machining and future production during phase two. Additionally, my experience with motion and mechanism refinement based on established architectures aligns directly with the current needs of your project. Best regards, Mobasher Reza
$500 USD in 3 days
2.5
2.5

Darien, United States
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