Break it apart challenge!

Intro to Project:

The break it Apart Challenge was a fun experience where I got to break apart an item and do a deep dive into the engineering behind it. The goal of the project was to successfully reverse engineer an item, learning about how it is all put together from finished to components. I selected a power adapter that had UK output and US input. This project took about a week and I found it overall interesting and fun to learn about all the small components that go into my adapter. Below there are multiple images and sketches of the adapter along with research findings. 

Questions and Solutions:

Before I began to deconstruct my object, there were some problems I had to work through. The first problem I came across was; How do I sketch? I had never done conceptual sketches until this year in my life and I was excited to learn how to do so. We spent a few days and lessons in class being taught by Mr. Tronconni about how and what makes a good sketch. I learned cool techniques such as the exploded view, one of many methods of conceptual sketching. After learning how to sketch, the next problem I ran into was finding the right tools to actually deconstruct my object. Since our object was produced in the UK, the screws it used were very unique. They had a triangle screw bit, something I had never seen before. I searched throughout the tools provided by Mr. Tronconni but it wasn't until I asked him when I found the right tool. He had a small screwdriver with detachable bits. I found a perfect match for my triangle screws and was able to begin deconstructing.      

Reflection:

During this project, I developed my problem-solving and communication skills. I was initially unsure of how to approach sketching, but after learning new techniques like the exploded view, I was able to confidently create clear and accurate representations of my object. A specific moment when I demonstrated problem-solving was when I encountered the unique triangle screws in my power adapter. After searching for the right tool and asking for help, I found the correct screwdriver bit, which allowed me to deconstruct the adapter. However, I still need to improve my time management and planning skills. At times, I struggled with balancing the research and hands-on work, which led to some last-minute rushes. In the future, I’ll plan out more time for each phase of a project and create a more detailed timeline to avoid these issues.