Reverse Engineering

The reverse engineering project was a group project, so we had to learn how to set up a group in order to make a product. We had to set up group norms and split up work and recognize each other's strengths. We were assigned a car that we had to disassemble, which was part of the structural analysis stage of reverse engineering. A twist that was added was that there were two parts that were missing from the car. We also had to add another part that the whole group had to agree on. We used a decision matrix to rate the different ideas to make the best decision. Sadly, we were restricted in time so our group could only make a few of the more important parts. I created the connector, which connects the three major sections of the car, and the car front, which is the major front part. We then had to make at least one fully dimensioned drawing of the parts that we made, I could only make one for the connector because of time issues.

In this project the primary thing that we learned was how to work together as a group. We learned about, and created, group norm; which is a set of rules that the group must follow. We then practiced brainstorming ideas. After learning about decision matrices we created one with our ideas and learned how to chose the criteria to rate an idea on. When we measured the parts to make practice sketches we practiced using dial calipers. Of course, when we build the parts we got more practice with inventor. We also learned how to prioritize our tasks because of the time crunch we got in because of the few number of blocks we had to work on this project. I liked building the parts in inventor because you can compare the inventor model to the real model and see how good you did.