156B Week 5

Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.

• • Sponsor was pleased with progress so far during the last meeting

    • Showed that the current design reduces folded length by 60%

    • Easy for user to assemble

  • Decided with the sponsor that we will not add the stand back in

    • Will allow for less assembly by the user

Accomplishments from Previous Week

• • Stand was removed, only used a partial stand bracket

    • This led to the bag being very wobbly/unstable when no golf bags were inside

  • To combat this, added an aluminum sleeve in the top section of the bag

    • This dramatically increased stability

    • Not a user assembled piece

    • Aluminum is cheap so will not increase cost of the bag by much

Goals for Next Week (list names after each item). Use specific and measurable objectives.

• • Add a strap around the bag to contain all pieces when user removes it from the box

  • Decide on a more aesthetically pleasing replacement for limit string

  • Try some user testing and gain feedback

  • Draft an instruction manual

Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)

• • Meeting with Ronan in person 2/1/20

    •  

    • -Ronan likes the design so far, says it almost assembles itself

    • -Ronan noticed its very unstable compared to original golf bag, wobbles a lot

    • -Since there’s no stand bracket that’s why it wobbles

    • -we are looking for solutions to this issue

    • -if we extend the rigid piece to 1/3 of bag length, then the angle of wobbling would be less

    • -golf clubs inside would improve the experience, make it more stable

    •             -Ronan placed some golf clubs inside to test it out

    •             -can’t wobble as much because the length of the golf club stops the bag form moving     around as much

    • -if we add the stand bracket back in, then we would have to add another piece that has to be assembled

    •             -user has extra step added, another part to assemble

    •             -current stand isn’t fully rigid since it isn’t directly connected to the base of the bag

    •             -we know cost-wise which one would be better

    •             -don’t know which one the consumer will prefer

    • -problems with first bag design

    •             -circular stand bracket à rotation and unstable/can fall

    •             -this was solved by using square rod for stand system

    • -Ronan says we should focus on this system, less work for consumer is better

    • -tent pole stand bracket will increase price compared to current prototype price bc there’s another rod of metal

    • -Ronan says to stick with option one, don’t add tent pole stand bracket

    • -used a string to be a limit link to limit angle of legs

    • -marketing: need to show consumer that the wobbling isn’t a problem once the golf clubs are in

    • -current shipping box size is: 35 in x 6 in x 8 in

    •             -currently 14 in in length when folded

    •             -current volume would be about 14 in x 6 in x 8 in

    • -really nice golf bag goes for about $200, that’s much more than ours

    • -$1500 – 2000 for a new set of golf clubs, so price of this $30-40 bag isn’t much for user

    • -manufactured product would weigh less, would use thinner metal

    •             -would also be more aesthetically pleasing, we used tape etc

    •             -we use aluminum, but can use cheapest metal

    •             -can use better string for limit links

    • -unsure about wear test, rubber band inside legs is problem

    • -go on Alibaba? Contact rubber band factories and ask them what the lifespan is for bands

Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments  (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)

• • Meeting with Prof in person 1/30/20

    •  

    • -Main problem: we removed the stand bracket so now the bag itself is deformed

    •             -it looks unstable and is poor user experience

    •             -not sure if we should add stand bracket back in

    • -bag doesn’t look aesthetically pleasing

    • -Semi-rigid base connector

    • -not much of a weight difference

    • -current tent pole stand bracket is thicket than necessary, could find a thinner

    • -the square shape is easier to keep it from turning

    • -would need instructions to assemble this

    • -is it possible to use another geometric shape of stand bracket with a lock?

    •             -how do we deal with the sharp corner of the square shape?

    •             -add a fillet to decrease stress concentration?

    • -are we still considering the telescoping legs design?

    •             -would be difficult to manufacture, also too expensive

    • -we are thinking of adding another connector piece in middle of bracket

    • -changing location of middle stnd

    •  

    •  

    • -TA suggestion:

    •             -add a couple rings inside?

    •             -bc stand is removed, the bag is at an angle, bag would still be at an angle

Comments from Other Students in the Class (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)

Risks and Areas of Concern

• • Using strings to limit leg angle, this is a short-term solution

    • May get tangled/break easily

  • Unsure of how long elastic strings inside tent poles will last

    • Elastic toughens over time, may become brittle/rigid

    • Need to find better quality of elastic

  • Assembly of bag has one non-intuitive component

    • Will this be a problem?

Resources or Information Required but not Available

• • CAD Model for handle

  • CAD model for all components

  • How do they do wear tests and strength tests? 

  • List of engineering standards related to this system

    • We have not received reply from sponsor or company engineers 

Schedule

Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)

• $140 spent at machine shop

• $42 telescoping replacement extension

• $34 small tent pole legs

• $40 large tent pole legs

  • $15 elastic string

  • $20 aluminum sheet

• $2709 remaining

Progress on Report and Webpage