Initial Designs

Here are some of the initial designs that our group came up with during the weekend. These brainstorming sketches display everyone's different take on the kinetic sculpture. In total, we accumulated twelve designs and discussed them during class.

Pugh Chart:

This Pugh Chart exhibits the four mechanisms that we narrowd down from the original twelve. After much discussion, we listed out the different properties and characteristics each mechanism would have. Properties include durability, accuracy, appearance, ease of fabrication, and the number of parts it will take to make. After determining the pros and cons of the designs, we assembled everything onto the pugh chart below. The total was calculated by adding all of the values together. From this data, we settled on the Color Sorter and Goal Keeper for our mini sculpture.

Uncertainties

Goalkeeper: A mechanism that blocks balls from falling into a basket

• The motors move pieces rotationally, so it will be hard to make the goalkeeper move linearly
• The motors might not be able to move fast enough to be accurate
• Multiple balls rolling by would cause error
• The sonar (position) sensors are not very accurate

Knob:

• There are no pre-made knobs, so we would have to laser cut or 3D print one
  • Both options are time consuming and difficult to fabricate
• It will be difficult to fabricate the code for a knob, as the knob's rotational force would need to be translated into a lateral force
• Need to be able to connect the rotation of knob to the ramp

Speed Sensor:

• The speed sensor can be faulty and inaccurate (which was apparent in our discovery session)

Plan

• For our initial design we decided to use the color sorter
• The group will split up in groups of two to be more efficient
  • One team will mainly program and test while the other will build in the design studio
• The color sorter will determine which pathway a marble will take
  • red, yellow, and white marbles will signal the motor to rotate, moving the track. This will allow the marble to fall into a funnel and onto an alternate pathway
  • Blue, black, and green marbles will signal the motor to stay still.