Company Background

Atlantech Companies have worked within the land-based aquaculture industry since its foundation in 1988 to provide water and effluent treatment systems to customers across the country. Based out of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, all operations are currently managed by company President and CEO, Doug Wright. Atlantech Companies team is dedicated to supplying top quality engineering, and project management services. All products are specifically tailored to meet the unique demands of the aquaculture industry. In recent years, Atlantech Companies have transitioned their business primarily to the seafood processing domain. Like many other small businesses, the local company recently experienced significant downsizing because of the COVID-19 pandemic, limiting their design and manufacturing resources.   

In 2018, Atlantech Companies focused their efforts on the redesign of a cover system for their line of large capacity rotary drum filters. In the following years, it was apparent that the reworked cover structure had significant operational issues, which ultimately led to Atlantech’s involvement with the FSDE Senior Design Clinic.

Problem Introduction

The cover system belonging to Atlantech Companies line of large capacity rotary drum filters is experiencing breakage due to its repeated opening and closing. The existing cover design is not watertight and is consequently causing water to leak from the system during the cyclic backwash.  

After developing an understanding of the problem, the UPEI team was able to identify four key project objectives: 

• Improve quality and operational lifespan ​ 
• Prevent leaking during backwash​ 
• Minimize manufacturing costs​ 
• Professional and appealing aesthetic