In this project, my group (Arudran and me) was tasked with creating a box to cover the network box in the computer science room that ideally had another functionality.
1) Guidelines
There were certain rules and guidelines that we had to follow throughout the project, those being:
Communicate with Ms. Tran on the project.
Create a solution that effectively covers the network box with another usage. For instance, an under shelf for books, or a knobs to hang things.
Update your portfolio from time to time, documenting your journey.
2) Brainstorming
Even the most successful projects had to start from brainstorming! In this project, we started our brainstorming process with looking up pictures from the internet, like these:
Most of our pictures followed a sort of minimalist theme, and that proved to be part of our inspiration for our design.
After forming a basic design for our project, we made it clear what our own requirments for the project were. We wanted:
A door opening to the panel, both on the top and the bottom
If possible, an under shelf
3) Procedure
Before doing any desinging, it was essential that we took measurements of the Network Box first. We took our measurments, and after comparing with a few other groups on the same project, adjusted it. Our measurements were (21.5 in by 6.95in by 7.5 in)
Both of us opened up our Fusion 360 application and began designing the box. While we both had the same big idea, we still experimented with certain mechanisms on our own devices. For instance, I experimented with a hinging mechanism for the door, while Arudran experimented with a sliding door. This proved to be handy in the long run, as Arudran made my model as a fully combined one, whereas I made his with separate pieces. It was handy, as at the end, we were able to print out I pieces while comparing it to my model, in a way.
Arudran started out with designing the entire box, which was simply a rectangle shape without an inside. Arudran used the line tool, as well as the offset tool in order to make it. Arudran then extruded it by about 6.95in. In order to create a railing, Arudran created a short L shape, again with the line tool, and extended it about 20 inches. Then, Arudran rotated it 90° and attached it to the top edge of the rectangle. Arudran then replicated it and attatched it to the bottom edge of the rectangle.
In order to create the door, Arudran simply created a rectangle using the rectangle tool with a height slightly less that the distance between the two railings.
It was only at this point that it came to our realization the elements in our design were to be 3D printed.
Reiteration no. 1 - Thankfully, because of my experimentations, we had the rectangle in separate pieces with the exact dimensions that we needed!
To create the handle for the door, Arudran used the line tool to create a small handle. For the railings, Arudran followed the same method, creating separate rectangles. Those rectangles, once they are laser cut, could be attached together to create the railing.
After laser cutting our first two elements (the bottom piece and the right side), we encountered another problem. On the left side of the box a coil of wire interrupted the board, meaning we couldn't mount the bottom.
Reiteration no. 2 - In order to deal with the issue, Arudran cut out segments of the cardboard so that it could fit. After measuring the distance from the left side to the start of the cut and the length of the cut, Arudran redesigned the element in Fusion 360, using the line tool. After printing (this time in proper wood), Arudran tested it out, and it worked! Now we had two elements: the bottom and the right side. But, we couldn't duplicate the right side piece, as it interuppted wire on the left side.
Reiteration no. 3 - To deal with this, Arudran made a cut in the design so that it would avoid the wires. But, the cut wasn't big enough and still faced resistance. To fix this, the best solution was to extend the cut and redisgn the right using the line tool.
4) Reflection
Soul Reflection:
S - I think that, in the end, our work was pretty good, with a solid design. However, if we worked more efficiently, I think that we could have an even bigger, more useful product.
O - Again, I think that productivity was a big factor that affected our work. While we did work throughout class time, I think that our communication with Ms. Tran about the building material affected our performance. If we knew that we would laser cut everything, we could have made everything separately from the start and made different things on our own. I also think that we should have spent more brainstorming and research time so that we wouldn't have to make so many changes.
U - In this project, we learned how to utilize Fusion 360 in order to create a well functioning design. I think that we did a pretty good job utilizing the tools that we learned how to use in class.
L - I think the biggest limitations that we had was time because we spent one day helping the moon cake group making us have less time working on our own project.
WISCR Reflections:
I think we hit the W(well rounded), I(insightful and critical thinkers,S(Self motivated, and R(respectful indivituals of character).This is because we ahd to implement not only our Fusion 360 skills, but also out creativity and artistic skill. We had to think critically of the design's functiosn ad how it was to be made. At the same time, with out limitations, we had to stay self motivated and keep on going, despite blocks. I don't think that we got C (clear communicators) of WISCR because we should have communicated the way we were to build the project with MS.Tran at the beginning. Finally, we got R because we had to be kind to each other wto work as a team ad accept each other's ideas.