This was our first STEM project for the 2018-2019 school year. This project was all about learning how machines work. To start, each students brought an object from home to be taken apart in class. We each took apart our objects and made sketches of it in our notebook. The object I took apart was a clock. With our sketches, we were to make emphasize the systems and subsystems that make the object work. After doing this and gaining more knowledge of engineering and machines, we progressed into the second, final part of our project. We were separated into groups of 4 by alphabetical order. My group was me, James Martinez, Carina Masters, and Andre Ng.
To begin this part of the project, our group had to decide whose object to use. We decided to use Andre's toy fan. This fan was used to blow an object (we believe a ball) into the air and keep it there, so that the ball seems to be levitating. After choosing the fan, we got to work. Our task for this was to go into more depth than Andre had done on the object. Specifically, we had 5 steps lined up to do. These steps were : identify the purpose of our object, develop a hypothesis, disassemble the object, analyze the elements, prepare a report, and decide how the project should be redesigned if it were going to be redesigned. For the analyzing step, analyzed the function, structure, materials, and manufacturing of this object. Below you can see our slideshow presentation of our project as well as our report.
To begin this part of the project, our group had to decide whose object to use. We decided to use Andre's toy fan. This fan was used to blow an object (we believe a ball) into the air and keep it there, so that the ball seems to be levitating. After choosing the fan, we got to work. Our task for this was to go into more depth than Andre had done on the object. Specifically, we had 5 steps lined up to do. These steps were : identify the purpose of our object, develop a hypothesis, disassemble the object, analyze the elements, prepare a report, and decide how the project should be redesigned if it were going to be redesigned. For the analyzing step, analyzed the function, structure, materials, and manufacturing of this object. Below you can see our slideshow presentation of our project as well as our report.
reverse_engineering.pptx |
reverse_engineering_toy_fan_report.docx |
Content
- Reverse Engineering- the reproduction of another manufacturer's product following detailed examination of its construction or composition.
- Functional Analysis- Examination and explanation of how the machine functions
- Structural Analysis- Examination and explanation of why the machine is built the way it is
- Material Analysis- Examination and explanation of the materials used in the object
- Manufacturing Analysis- Examination and explanation of how the individual parts of the object were made
- Machine- an apparatus using or applying mechanical power and having several parts, each with a definite function and together performing a particular task
- System- a set of principles or procedures according to which something is done; an organized scheme or method.
- Subsystem- a self-contained system within a larger system.
Reflection- Overall, I think this project was a great start to engineering. We got to learn how systems and subsystems work in machines. Also, we learned how the engineering processes work, such as how to sketch. One thing that went well is how our group worked together. We were efficient and did a great job. One thing that didn't go well is we were not able to find any information on our particular object online.
Two Peaks:
1) Our group was able to decide on which object to use very easily. This gave us more time to work on our project than other groups who were not so quick to choose their object.
2) We were able to split our jobs into areas that we felt would make our group the best. This turned out to be very effective as each part of our project was done well.
Two Pits:
1) Our group couldn't find any information on the toy fan online. The fan didn't have any company names or logos on it, making it impossible to find the model online. We spent a lot of time trying to find it, but couldn't. Luckily, we were able to identify the different parts, such as the motor, of the object in order to gather information.
2) We cut it close with time at the end. We were working hard on our project all the way through the last day. We had to make our finishing touches on it at home before the presentation. This lack of time is largely due to the time we spent trying to find the object online, as well as the fact that we had other tasks to work on during class.
Two Things I Learned
1) I learned how to do proper sketches of engineering objects and how best to label individual parts.
2) I learned how motors work. The coils of copper in it as well as other objects act like magnets in order to make the axle rotate.
Two Things I Could Have Done Better
1) I could have taken more of a leadership role in this project. I kind of just did what I was told to do. Next time, I will try to be a leader in my group.
2) I could have had better communication with my group. I took pictures of our object after James had already taken pictures of it all.
Two Peaks:
1) Our group was able to decide on which object to use very easily. This gave us more time to work on our project than other groups who were not so quick to choose their object.
2) We were able to split our jobs into areas that we felt would make our group the best. This turned out to be very effective as each part of our project was done well.
Two Pits:
1) Our group couldn't find any information on the toy fan online. The fan didn't have any company names or logos on it, making it impossible to find the model online. We spent a lot of time trying to find it, but couldn't. Luckily, we were able to identify the different parts, such as the motor, of the object in order to gather information.
2) We cut it close with time at the end. We were working hard on our project all the way through the last day. We had to make our finishing touches on it at home before the presentation. This lack of time is largely due to the time we spent trying to find the object online, as well as the fact that we had other tasks to work on during class.
Two Things I Learned
1) I learned how to do proper sketches of engineering objects and how best to label individual parts.
2) I learned how motors work. The coils of copper in it as well as other objects act like magnets in order to make the axle rotate.
Two Things I Could Have Done Better
1) I could have taken more of a leadership role in this project. I kind of just did what I was told to do. Next time, I will try to be a leader in my group.
2) I could have had better communication with my group. I took pictures of our object after James had already taken pictures of it all.