Reverse Engineering Project
Evidence of work
This project branched off of our last project that we did in engineering. From our previous project we individually chose a device to take apart and look further into, and for this project we ended up going into groups and picking one device to really go in-depth with. Our group decided on further going into a 1993 Redcat Tornado EPX remote control car that one of our classmates brought in. This was an interesting device because it was somewhat older, had a couple problems that were wrong with it, and it had a lot of potential.
There were many different processes that were included in our research and taking apart our device. For this project the steps we took goes as follows: We identified a purpose, developed a hypothesis, disassembled our device, analyzed the elements of each part of the device, prepared a report, and finally our product redesign. Each of these steps went into more detail including our "Teardown" which was when we thoroughly documented all parts, relationships, and connections using conceptual sketches, labels, and notes. While analyzing the elements we took into part, four different types of analysis inluding Functional analysis (what is the function of the different parts, how do they work together, what are the underlying scientific principles behind their functioning?), Structural analysis (How are the different parts connected together?), Material analysis (What materials are used, what are their properties?) , and Manufacturing analysis (How was the product made?). We then gathered up all of our information and put it into a report and a slideshow to present to the class.
Content
Reverse Engineering: A strategy used to find answers to questions about an existing product that is used in the design of another product. 1. identify the purpose 2. develop a hypothesis 3. disassemble 4. analyze the elements 5. prepared the report 6. redesign
Functional analysis: The function of the different parts, how do they work together, what are the underlying scientific principles behind their functioning
Structural analysis: How are the different parts connected together, determining the purpose of each part and how it interacts with the other parts, and the principles of mechanics and material properties
Material analysis: The materials that are used and their properties. Analyzing materials requires understanding basic material properties because materials are also identified by scientific properties.
Manufacturing analysis: How the product was made including raw materials, forming methods, separation methods, and joining methods.
Gantt chart: a chart in which a series of horizontal lines shows the amount of work done or production completed in certain periods of time in relation to the amount planned for those periods
Engineer drawing: An engineering drawing is a type of technical drawing that is used to convey information about an object
Exploded view sketch: A diagram, picture, schematic or technical drawing of an object, that shows the relationship or order of assembly of various parts. It shows the components of an object slightly separated by distance
Engineering design process: A common series of steps that engineers use in creating functional products and processes. 1. define the problem, 2. generate aleternate concepts, 3. evaluate and select a concept, 4. detail the design, 5, design defense, 6. manufacture and testing, 7. revise and refine, 8. evaluation of performance, 9. preparing the final design report.
Perspective drawing: A technique to create the linear illusion of depth. As objects get further away from the viewer they appear to decrease in size at a constant rate
Orthographic drawing: A means of representing three-dimensional objects in two dimensions. It is a form of parallel projection, in which all the projection lines are orthogonal to the projection plane
Isometric drawing: A method for visually representing three-dimensional objects in two dimensions in technical and engineering drawings.
Conceptual sketch: Sketches or diagrams that are concisely annotated with short statements that describe the processes, concepts, and interrelationships shown in the sketch.
Reflection
This was a good group project to start off the year so we can experience what we are expected to do from now on with our projects. We were given some time for this project because it was very complex and there were many components for the project. One thing I wish we would have done better was use our gantt chart in a more effective way so that we could assign each person a certain topic or job to cover or to have parts of the project done at certain deadlines. One thing that we improved on was our final slideshow. Our initial slideshow was not executed well and had way to many words on each slide and pictures that were too small to see while viewing the presentation. So we were able to go back in that day to make improvements in order to create a better and more thought out slideshow to present. I am glad to have finished this project and presentation because it showed how this year we are going to be challenged to do our very best. While doing these projects we are going to have to make sure that we have everything organized, easy to follow, and interesting. I liked the feedback Mr. Tronconi gave to our groups and listening to the critics he gave to other groups so we can make those adjustments to our project in order to improve.