Course Overview-
Since this is a college level course, I have been able to learn skills that transpire outside of just the topic of engineering. The first being time management, while being tasked with multiple assignments and large projects each week, I sometimes struggled with staying on track and not turning in assignments incomplete and late. In the future, I plan to take advantage of more opportunities that are available so I can complete all my work efficiently in a timely manner. The second being documentation skills, throughout this class, I learned that sometimes documentation can have more impact that the product itself. I feel like that I have done this well, by telling a story in project portfolios, taking notes and taking proper pictures. Along with many other similar skills, what this class has gave me most is experience, I have been able to learn through so many ways such as CAD, 3D printing, documentation, hands on projects and so much more, all these have showed me the importance of a design process and how I can incorporate it into future projects along with my day to day life.
Lab Safety-
A crucial aspect of any class that uses machinery is proper lab safety. In the beginning of this class, we were assigned an intro project that required us to use a band saw, belt sanders and drill press. Before we could use these machines we were asked to create a safety poster of presentation to promote safety in the class or on a specific machine. I choose to create a poster for the band saw to bring attention to the proper sanding direction. Looking back on this assignment, I would have liked to create a better visual by making it neater and more direct, these changes would be beneficial since users of the machine will gain a quick reminder before they start.
Unit 1- Intro to Design and Problem Solving
During the first unit, we focused on learning valuable skills regarding a design and decision making process. The broad topics covered were- Design basics, Visualization and Solid modeling, CAD fundamentals and Product improvement. To gain extra experience with these concepts, we were tasked with multiple projects that we could apply our skills in.
Lesson 1.1 Design Basics
The first concept we covered in this class was design basics. Throughout this lesson, we completed activities that include the design process, project iteration, sketching, and making data graphs. I think this lesson was extremely important for the rest of the class, understanding the design process made all of my projects more organized and they were completed at a much higher/profesional level.
Activity 1.1.1 Design as a Process
The first part of this activity offered visuals for the understanding of the design process. For an opportunity to use this design process, we were tasked to create a catapult. To do this, we were given limited supplies and a time frame that we could work with. If I could do this catapult again with the knowledge I learned from the rest of the activities, I would have choose to use materials that were more durable. For a conclusion of this project, we began to use a box and whisker plot in order to effectively record the data from test results.
Activity 1.1.2 Iterate and Redesign
Throughout the 1.2.1 activity, I was able to expand my knowledge on how to improve a project and more on statistics. I was able to revise my catapult from 1.1.1, to improve it I used my observation from the first attempt and changed the materials. Below are the conclusion questions for this project along with a notebook work picture.
Activity 1.1.3 Concept Sketching
In my opinion, this was one of the most important activities from this class. The skills I learned on proper sketching concepts I learned on during this unit were used and helped my throughout the remainder of the class. The images below show my conclusion questions and some practice sketching from my notebook.
Activity 1.1.4 Target Success using Data
The primary goal of this activity was using data to determine the outcome of future attempts. I was able to experiments with many different types of data recording such as, the target, the chart and the graph. (Images below). I enjoyed this activity because I was able to use my catapult and get a glimpse into the performance of it.
1.1.5 Design a Game
The carnival game project was great for putting my new skills to the test. I used my catapult for the primary device and was tasked with the challenge of creating a carnival game. The game had to follow specific constraints while maintaining a great design. This project also gave me a good look into the level of detail that the presentation for each project that is required
Lesson 1.2 Visualization and Solid Modeling
The activities in this lesson offered many opportunities to benefit my skill of isometric sketching. The first activity introduced the concept of shading into my isometric sketches to show light changes. The second activity introduced the use of Fusion360 to create these drawings, to practice, I drew common shapes using the program. The third activity stated to use Multiview drawings and the layout which they should be shown in. To go along with the drawings and sketches, dimensioning was also included. This was one of my favorite lessons because I enjoyed learning about the different types of sketches and using Fusion360. The final project for this unit was "Charmed I'm Sure", we were simulating the process of working for a client, I had to use isometric sketching on paper along with on Fusion360 to complete this project. It also acted as an intro to 3D printing.
Activity 1.2.1 Isometric Sketching
Activity 1.2.2 3D Solid Modeling
Activity 1.2.3 Multiview Drawings
Activity 1.2.4 Fundamentals of Dimensioning
1.2.6 Charmed I'm Sure
Lesson 1.3 CAD Fundamentals
Lesson 1.3 put a heavy focus on the small details of Fusion360. Without this unit, I would have struggled with the projects that came later in the course. The first activity primarily focused on precision measuring using a dial caliber. The second activity got into making holes in CAD, along with hole notes. The other activities involved constraints, other modeling skills, documentation and section views. The project "Design a Protective Case" put these concepts to the test as we created and produced a functional sunglasses case.
Activity 1.3.1 Measure It
Activity 1.3.2 Making Holes in CAD
Activity 1.3.3 Constraining a Sketch
Activity 1.3.4 CAD Modeling Skills
Activity 1.3.5 Documenting a Design
Activity 1.3.6 I section that!
1.3.7 Designing a Protective Case
The presentation for project 1.3.7 has been updated and used for project 2.1.5 (Redesign a protective case). To see the updated project use the button under the 2.1.5 catagory.
The skills I learned in the first unit have been crucial throughout the the rest of the class, it also allowed me to get a look into how engineers work through problems and plan out options to make an effective solution to the problem they are given. If I could do this unit again, I would put more focus on the activities during the unit, although I did gain the knowledge I needed, I could have given myself better experience before it was time to complete the project
Unit 2- Assembly Design
The second unit covered was assembly design. The broad topics covered in this unit was assembly and disassembly. Both of these topics were extremely valuable in the projects especially the final project, the automoblox drawing.
Lesson 2.1 Put it Together
The main focus of lesson 2.1 was the assembly process. The first activity focused on tolerances, which are the amount of acceptable error in dimensions. This lesson also included a project/class presentation that was on different connection method, (joinery, adhesives etc.). To move these concepts into Fusion360, we were tasked to assembly a working selfie stick that we were given the parts to. Lastly, documentation, to document the assemblies the final lesson showed how to effectively use exploded views and parts lists. After we completed these activities, we had the opportunity to redesign our protective case. Being able to apply new skills benefited the outcome of the redesign.
Activity 2.1.1 Tolerate This
Activity 2.1.2 Hold It Together
Activity 2.1.3 Putting It Together
Activity 2.1.4 Document the Assembly
2.1.5 Redesign a Protective Case
Lesson 2.2 Take it Apart
The overarching concept of lesson 2.2 is reverse engineering. Many topics such as visual analysis/design elements, functional analysis, structural analysis and a review on basic CAD tools. This lesson led into my favorite project, the automoblox car drawing, this project put my knowledge of the reverse engineering process to the final test.
Activity 2.2.1 What is Reverse Engineering?
Activity 2.2.2 Visual Analysis
Activity 2.2.3 Functional Analysis & the Black Box
Activity 2.2.4 Structural Analysis/ Prod. Disassembly
Final Project-Automoblox car drawing
The automoblox drawing project was by far my favorite of the class. I really enjoyed working with a team to work through every stage and use all my new skills to effectively draw the car.
Course Feedback
Looking back on this course, I am very glad to have gotten the experience I have. This class let me gain insight on so many different topics and gave me a real look into what it takes to be an engineer. In all, my favorite parts of the class were the projects, the projects allowed me to put my new skills to a more "real-life" scenario and I could take myself through the entire design process, seeing the finished project was rewarding. If I could change something about the class (it might not be feasible) but I would have liken to get through more units and had a projects where I could "work" for a client and put all my skills to the test. I think this course will dramatically help me in the future because it gave me experience and showed me what I can continue to work on.