CAD Expert for Phase 2 of Dolma Roller Design

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!