Project 

 In this project, you will learn

• Mechanical linkages with electronic circuits

•  Sketch using shape borrowing

•  Making prototype using resistant materials

Act 1: Ideation

Design Situation

UNICEF, a social welfare organization responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. Children in Mali suffered due to the country’s internal conflict over the years. One of their aims is to improve the lives of children in Mali through education. Research over the past 30 years has taught us the most important period of human development is from birth to eight years old. During these years, development of cognitive skills and emotional wellbeing, social competence, and sound physical and mental health builds strong foundation for success well into adult years. The Craft and Tech department in TPSS share a deep commitment to improve children’s lives through play in their learning years. The department aims to organize a toy making competition to design and make a mechanical linkage toy for children in Mali.  

Design Brief

 To design and make a mechanical linkage toy souvenirs for children in Mali to help them develop their cognitive skills and improve their social and emotional wellbeing.

Design Specifications 

1.   The mechanical toy must be made of acrylic.

2.  The mechanical linkage toy must include a small led light.

2.   The mechanical toy must have a design theme of cartoon or to tell a story.

3.     The mechanical toy must generate movement using linkage with either

a. Circular to oscillation motion

b. Reciprocating to reciprocating motion

c. Oscillating to reciprocating motion

Examples of Linkage Toys

• Observe the video and pictures, identify the fixed and movable pivots.

• Click here to learn more about linkages.

Act 1: Ideation ( shape borrowing)

Every design starts with an idea. Ideate using 2D sketches to show how your mechanism should function as intended with the design theme shown. Your task should show the following.:

• Considering relevant factors when generating and developing ideas.

• Sketching to design (2D)

• Complete 8 designs using the underlay (Annex B) provided.

• You design should consider which part of your mechanical linkage toy should moves and also the position of the LED.

Act 3: Development 

From your designs, choose one to develope further. You need to take into consideraton

• the movement required

• the position of the fixed and movable pivot

• The input and output motion required

• Position of the LED 

• Type of linkage

Act 4: Development ( Mockup)

From your designs, choose one to make a quick mock-up using cardboard/vanguard sheets, brass paper fasteners and ice cream sticks to test your design.  The mock-up should be of scale 1:1. Get all relevant dimensions and paste your mock-up in your resource booklet.

The purpose of a mock-up is to :

• allow you to test your design if it works and check if it looks right from different angle.

• check if the design works up to your design specifications.

• check if the parts can fit together correctly.

• from your chosen design, identify the body and the moving part 

Video of Soldering, Testing of LED and assembling the circuit

Act 6:  Rendered Isometric sketch of the developed design

As a designer, it is important to communicate succinctly the proposed design solution in relation to the design brief and design specifications. It should show the functional and aesthetic details using appropriate graphical skills to highlight the practicality and appropriateness of the proposed design solution. In act 4, you are to draw a rendered isometric sketch of your final developed design.