Ryan Liu
Ryan's Hello Post
Design/engineering strength: A design/engineering strength I have is my creativity. I love to come up with many different designs and ideas, not just using the first idea that comes to mind. I feel my creativity will not only help me come up with a good design but also find creative ways to solve any problems I may run into.
Area of growth: An area of growth for me is getting more familiar both with the Rhino application and the tools in each of the shops. Even though I have a general idea of how to use Rhino and the tools in the shop from last year in D and T, I feel I could get more familiar with them and learn more about how to use them.
Good project reflection: To me, a good project reflection is one that shows the entire process of the project, everything from the initial sketches to the final product. The reflection must include clear pictures and a few short sentences explaining what is happening in each photo. The reflection should not only give the reader a clear idea of the project itself but also a clear idea of the person's thought process.
Own documentation process: In my own documentation process, I feel I need to focus on being organized and documenting every piece of the project, no matter how small I think it is. I also need to stay on track and constantly update the reflection, not leaving it for the last day.
9/11/19- Group Eagle Design: Circuit with 3 LEDs and 3 resistors
The Project: This project was to create a schematic of a circuit containing three LEDs and three resistors with a partner.
Process: My partner was Christian and we used the Eagle application to create this schematic. After creating the schematic, we transferred it in order to create a board. Christian and I decided to arrange the LEDs in a parallel circuit so each LED would have its own path. We then created a custom circuit board in Bantam Tools from our design in Eagle.
Learned: We had some difficulty with Eagle and how to create a successful parallel circuit. Something that was particularly challenging was trying to arrange the board without any overlaps or errors. Ultimately, creating this schematic helped me become more familiar with Eagle and understand how a parallel circuit works.
9/16/19- Circuit Board and Digital Joinery
Project: This project was to design and create a press-fit object that would be able to hold together without any glue. My partner and I decided to create a press-fit dice.
Process: My partner and I first designed the dice in Rhino, creating both a 3D and flat model. We then used the flat model of all six sides to cut the dice out of MDF in the laser cutter.
Learned: I learned how to design a digital joinery piece in Rhino and print it out in the laser cutter. I also learned how a press-fit object works and am considering to use it in my speaker project.
Digital Joinery Press Fit Dice
Circuit Board (top)
Circuit Board (bottom)
Project: This project was to design, cut, and assemble a circuit containing three LEDs and three resistors.
Process: My partner and I first created a schematic of a parallel circuit containing three LEDS and three resistors. We then cut out the circuit board and soldered all the pieces onto the board. We tested the circuit and it worked!
Learned: I learned how to design a circuit schematic and create it into a physical board. I learned more about circuits and the process to cut a board.
9/24/19- Breadboarded Circuit
Breadboarded Circuit
Circuit Schematic
Project: This project was to read a schematic of an amplifier circuit and assemble it on a breadboard.
Process: I started by gathering all the parts needed to build the circuit. Then, I soldered wires to the power and audio jacks. After soldering, my first step in assembling the circuit was connecting the power through the power jack. Then, I created the light circuit to test if power went through the circuit. I completed the rest of the circuit by going through each leg of the amplifier IC one by one and slowly connecting all the parts. Once all the parts were on the breadboard, I finished by connecting speakers to the circuit and played music. It worked!
Learned: I learned how to read a more complex schematic and create it on a breadboard. Assembling all the parts of the amplifier circuit was a challenge and it taught me persist. My circuit didn't work right away so I learned to ask for help from my peers and the teacher. Finding and adjusting problems in my circuit taught me to be patient and attentive to details.
10/1/19- Sketches of Enclosure Design
Project: These are the initial sketches for my speaker enclosure. The two themes I had when designing my speakers were simplicity and retro. I had speakers with simplistic and basic shapes while also having speakers that looked like a boombox and a radio. Ultimately, I decided to make the rounded speaker (bottom right photo). It will be primarily made of wood and MDF.
10/4/19- Rhino 3D Enclosure Design
Why I chose this design: I chose this design because it has a combination of good sound quality and a unique design. It is made of a variety of materials such as MDF and wood, along with LEDs and a potentiometer (also will include external switch but haven't decided where I will place it).
Main Idea for design: I was going for a simple design that also has many different components. My speaker has a unique shape that has audio visualizer strips, a potentiometer, and an external switch. It will be made by gluing 11 MDF panels together and attaching wood front and back plates.
Inspiration for design: The inspiration for my design is the Beats by Dre Pill. It has a shape that I have never seen in a speaker before.
10/17/19- Eagle Schematic and Board
Eagle Schematics of Speaker Circuit
This is my final circuit board that I cut using my schematic from Eagle (above) and Bantam Tools. I will be soldering all the parts to the circuit board and will use this board for my speaker.
10/25/19- Speaker Cardboard Prototype
This is the cardboard prototype of my speaker. It is a life-size version of the final speaker but is not entirely accurate because the front and back plates will be thicker (made of wood). I also haven't decided how to access the inside of the speaker but am thinking of attaching the back plate with magnets.
11/12/19- Completed Circuit Board
This is the completed circuit for my speaker. It has added components such as an external on/off switch, potentiometer, and bluetooth module. I soldered everything together and the circuit works great.
12/3/19- Completed Circuit Board with Coded Lights
This is the completed circuit including coded lights for my speaker. It is all completed and is ready to put in the enclosure when built.
12/5/19- Adjusted Rhino design
This is my adjusted Rhino design for my speaker. I condensed my enclosure by making the MDF part of the enclosure 4 inches instead of 5.5 inches. I will also be using 16 quarter inch MDF pieces instead of 11 half inch pieces.
12/5/19- First MDF Cuts
These are my first cuts for my enclosure. I cut these quarter inch MDF rings using the laser cutter. I am planning to cut my other 14 MDF rings next.
12/9/19- Completed MDF Enclosure Pieces
I completed cutting all 16 of my MDF pieces of my enclosure. The MDF makes up most of my enclosure and the next step is to glue all 16 rings together. Each ring is 13x6 except for 2 which are a bit smaller. All the pieces are a quarter inch thick and together are 4 inches wide. In addition to glueing the pieces tother, I still have to cut out front and back panels using cherrywood in the wood shop. I am also planning to paint the MDF black if I have time.
12/11/19- Glued MDF Pieces
These are my glued MDF pieces for my enclosure. I separated the MDF into three different sections to make the glueing process easier. The next step is to glue all 3 sections together and cut out my cherrywood front and back panels.
12/17/19- Complete Speaker
Final Reflection
Thinking about the work you created, what are you most satisfied with this semester?
I am most satisfied with my speaker. Although it was difficult for me to complete, I kept going and didn't give up on it. I ended up finishing my speaker and am very happy with the final product.
If you were to start over, knowing what you know, what would I do differently?
If I were to start over, I would manage my time better. I spent too much time on the circuit aspect of my speaker and tried to add too many parts such as the potentiometer. This gave me only a few classes to work on my enclosure so I had to come in outside of class to work on it.
What is a lesson from this class that you will take with you and use in future projects?
Some lessons from this class that I will take with me and use in future projects is time management and perseverance. I could've managed my time better to complete my speaker in time. But even though it was difficult, I didn't give up and kept working on my speaker.