For this project we had to learn the basic background of engineering and how it works. We learned about the basics of engineering, what engineers do, and what makes a good engineer. We learned how to draw conceptual sketches and maintain a design notebook, along with the ethics behind engineering. We started this project by first individually bringing in our own objects to take apart and draw schematics for. Then we were assigned groups and within these groups we picked one persons object and used it for our project. We had to develop a hypothesis, disassemble the object, analyze the elements, and create a report. My group was Lydia, Olivia and I and we chose Lydia's object, which was a portable speaker. The function of the speaker is to play music and produce light. We predicted that it would be made up of two parts, a circuit board and a speaker, and that when an audio cord is plugged in, an electrical signal is carried throughout the printed circuit board to the speaker, producing sound. After our extensive research, we found this hypothesis correct.
Concepts
- Reverse engineering: A strategy used to find answers to questions about an existing product that are used in the design of another product.
- Invention: Design work that results in something unique or novel
- Innovation: Process of improving or modifying an existing product
- Design Process: An iterative or repeating decision-making process that results in a plan to produce a new product. A problem-solving strategy with criteria and constraint used to develop many possible solutions, to solve a problem or satisfy human needs and wants and to narrow down possible solutions. The goal of the design process is also to minimize undesired effects and control risk.
- Problem Solving: The process of understanding a problem, devising a plan, carrying out the plan, and evaluating the effectiveness of the plan to solve a problem or meet a need or want.
- Constraints: Engineers design under constraints.This means that there have limits on the time, money and resources allowed to do their work.
- Technology can be broadly defined as: The process of design, that is, solving problems with criteria and constraints. The product, system or environment that results from the design. The new understanding or knowledge gained through the design and production of a product.
- Team: A group with a common purpose that achieve a specific goal using each individual's skills and mutual cooperation to produce the end product.
- Synergy: Results when the unit or team becomes stronger than the sum of the individual members.
- Norms: Principles of right action. They are binding upon the members of a group and serve to guide, control, or regulate proper and acceptable behavior.
- Values: Guiding principles or ideals.
- Consensus: Agreement in opinion; collective opinion.
- Six basic"constraints" of project management: scope, schedule, resources, budget, quality (does it meet standards),risk.
- What is it’s purpose (What is it supposed to do)
- What is the basic function?
- What real-life problem/human need is the object solving/address?
- What are the functions of its parts/components?
- How does it turn on (if applicable)?
- What is the mechanism to do that...?
- How do things fit together (functional relationships between its parts/components, connections)?
- What is it made of (materials, be specific)?
- Why do you think they used those materials to build the object?
- Are there any identification numbers/codes on it or within it ? What do they mean?
- What are some physics/technology principles involved in its functioning?
- What are the measurements of the overall object and of its components?
- What is its price?
- Is it recyclable?
- How would you improve it?
Gantt Chart:
Reflection:
I learned a ton during this project. I thought my group and I worked very well together, always being on the same page as one another. As a whole I loved this project! I think it was cool figuring out how to take apart our object and put it back together and then researching the different components to the speaker. In future projects I need to work on my collaboration skills and staying on task. I often found myself leaving my group to go talk to others which not only takes the focus away from my group but also the group I join. During this project I thought I did a good job working on my share of the project and memorizing our presentation slides. Overall this project was a success and I learned a lot while having fun with my group.
I learned a ton during this project. I thought my group and I worked very well together, always being on the same page as one another. As a whole I loved this project! I think it was cool figuring out how to take apart our object and put it back together and then researching the different components to the speaker. In future projects I need to work on my collaboration skills and staying on task. I often found myself leaving my group to go talk to others which not only takes the focus away from my group but also the group I join. During this project I thought I did a good job working on my share of the project and memorizing our presentation slides. Overall this project was a success and I learned a lot while having fun with my group.