Week 0 - Journal

When we first got to the ODC, we were taken on a tour of the place. We were introduced to the different machines available, the different handy tools available, and the whole layout of the place.

Then, we were split into 2 groups to get to know more about the laser cutter and the 3D printer.

My group was the one to see the laser cutter first. Sherif, our instructor, showed us how to operate the laser cutter machine, the different outputs it could produce, and showed us a trial of how to transfer a design from being a CAD model into the laser cutting program (in our case "Rdworks"). We also go to know the different parameters that should be taken into consideration while using the laser cutter. After that, he showed us a demo of how to navigate this program and how to send the final file to the machine itself. Another demo of how the laser cutter actually works (cutting and engraving) was shown to us using an already existing design.

Then we moved to the 3D printer, where we saw the machine and its specifications. The filament used on this printer is PLA. Sherif also gave us a detailed explanation of how the 3D printer works, how to operate it and how to use Ultimaker Cura, the software used to run the machine. We were also shown different types of products that could be printed through this 3D printer and how each setting will differ in the final outcome.

Another demo of the whole process was made to show us how to fully function the machine in real-time (printing a tiny robot)

Our first mini project!

After the tour, each one of us was handed a pack with different components and we were instructed to follow a certain tutorial in order to make a mini controller game out of them. We started by taking out all the components from the bag and starting to follow the tutorial that was on the screen with Sherif and Esraa's guidance.

The purpose of this project is to see and assemble all the components that should be put in our final project.

The game also included a controller mode where you get to play the game on your computer instead of on the tangible game.

This session started with an activity about creative confidence, where we were split into pairs and asked to draw each other in 3 minutes. I was paired up with Ahmed Waleed and the purpose of this activity was to see how confident we are with our creativity in a task that was told to us on spot.

The next activity was to build a low-fidelity prototype in 90 minutes for one of the three products presented by Sherif. The three products were: Pet feeder, Bladeless fan, and RC car with its controller. We were divided into pairs randomly and my team's product was the pet feeder.

The assignment included three criteria that should be met.

These criteria were:

1. the measurements/scale of the object

2. the user interface

3. the mechanisms

We were given tools and materials to produce the prototype.

I was paired up with Abdelrahman Sidkie, an agricultural engineer, and we started brainstorming how we are going to approach this assignment.

We first started by imagining the outer shape of the pet feeder and its dimensions. Then, we delegated the rest of the tasks based on our different educational backgrounds in order to speed up the process and avoid wasting time. However, throughout the whole process, we were discussing and communicating before taking each step to be on the same page.

Our idea was to make a cylindrical pet feeder that works based on the weight of your pet. The software inside the feeder will have an already existing database on how much food (in weight) according to each weight entered. The mechanism of this feeder will be an open and close mechanism based on the input of the weight.

The components of the pet feeder are a funnel at the top connected to a tube that ends at the opening and closing door, and at the bottom, there is a plate/container for the food.

The funnel is filled with dry food and when the door is opened the required amount of food is dropped into the plate.

The interface of the product was a very simple interface that had a power button, a screen that views messages for the users, and a keypad for the user to input the weight of their pet.