Nanda Sankaranunni

MECHANICAL ENGINEER

Skills Overview

Nandakishore (Nanda) is an experienced mechanical engineer with a background in automation equipment design, product development, and cleantech, particularly in water filtration. His key strength lies in developing cost-effective and practical solutions, leveraging innovative approaches, and fostering cross-functional collaboration and teamwork. Additionally, Nanda has experience in prototyping, composite materials manufacturing, quality assurance and is adept in hands-on workshop activities. He brings with him a demonstrated history of successfully developing projects from ideation all the way through to implementation.

MACHINE DESIGN – Nanda has extensive experience in mechanical design, evident through his work on various equipment such as membrane converting machines, automated testing and visual inspection machines for FMCG and medical devices.
PIPING DESIGN – Nanda has worked extensively on designing piping systems for wastewater filtration plants for diverse industries, with each system custom-designed to meet specific site and industry standards.
PROCESS OPTIMISATION – Nanda has valuable experience in optimising manufacturing processes and equipment for efficiency and cost-effectiveness. He has worked on continuous improvement programs, revamped older machines for easier manufacturing, and optimised production lines to ensure consistent product quality and cost reduction.
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT & PROTOTYPING – Nanda has significant experience in product development and prototyping. He has been involved in all stages, from conceptualisation to production; designing experiments for reliability testing, endurance testing, thermal testing as well as compiling detailed test reports.

Caliber Design has experience in the Biofuel industry

Caliber has experience in the Aerospace industry

PERSONAL STATEMENT

I hold a masters degree in mechanical engineering, specialising in manufacturing composite materials. Engineering has always been my first choice because I love solving problems and bringing designs to life. Back in school, I might’ve broken a few things just to figure out how they worked. Teamwork’s where it’s at for me; bouncing ideas off each other, more often than not, sparks something innovative. Outside of work, you can often find me on the cricket pitch or badminton court, and I also enjoy going on the occasional hike.

Project Experience

MINT INNOVATION

E-Waste Recycling Facility, Texas

Serving as Mechanical/Project Engineer seconded to Mint Innovation, supporting the delivery of a new world-class e-waste recycling facility based in Texas, USA. Responsible for developing comprehensive technical packages and managing the procurement of multiple capital process equipment packages valued up to US $2M. Working closely with international vendors and cross-disciplinary teams to ensure fit-for-purpose, cost-effective solutions aligned with project requirements, budgets, and schedules. Conducted feasibility studies and comparative assessments to support key design and procurement decisions, optimising lifecycle costs and operational efficiency. The project remains ongoing, with continued focus on vendor engagement, risk mitigation, and ensuring seamless integration of engineered solutions to deliver a facility that sets new standards for recycling technology.

CATHETER BAG INSPECTION MACHINE

Nanda played a significant role in developing a comprehensive visual inspection machine tailored for catheter bags. Notably, the machine achieves a throughput of one bag per second while meticulously inspecting for foreign bodies and defects within both the catheter and the bag. Beginning with a thorough Site Survey at the client’s premises, this project involved developing an in-house prototype machine and collaborating with vision and software teams to conduct rigorous validation studies before moving on to the detailed design for the factory machine.

SPIRAL ELEMENT WINDING MACHINE

Nanda led the design and build of a Spiral Element Winding Machine prototype. This project aimed to relocate the production process from overseas to New Zealand, substantially reducing production time and costs. This machine can efficiently wind filter elements of multiple sizes. Furthermore, Nanda also devised a rigorous testing regimen to ensure the reliability and performance of the wound elements.

ENCLOSURE DESIGN OF RF SPECTROMETER

Nanda led the redesign of the enclosure for a Benchtop RF Spectrometer, incorporating CNC’d parts, sheet metal components, and various polycarbonate elements, slashing production costs significantly and streamlining manufacturing timelines. This project entailed close collaboration with fabrication teams to comprehend their capacities and tailor designs to integrate with established manufacturing workflows seamlessly.

MEMBRANE FILTRATION PLANTS

Nanda has played a pivotal role in the engineering design of various wastewater filtration plants and Clean-in-Place (CIP) recovery machines, with capacities spanning from 50m3/day to 3500m3/day. He has led the comprehensive design of intricate piping systems, produced fabrication drawings, selected process equipment, and optimized process flows. Alongside, he has managed subcontractor engagements, ensuring smooth collaboration and adherence to project schedules and quality benchmarks. Nanda’s experience also encompasses overseeing Site Acceptance Tests (SATs) and conducting commissioning procedures, ensuring the seamless operation of systems.