Capstone Update #4

Our Goal

Our goals for step four of the Capstone project were to hone in on modeling, testing, and building our prototype. We completed multiple detailed designs, wrote up tests, completed experiments, wrote up a lab report, and most importantly, continued building our wrist brace in preparation for the STEM night presentation. 

Evidence of Work

Content

Decision Matrix - 

Used to choose the overall best design idea. We had to identify the Evaluation Criteria, weigh each component based on importance, set up the decision matrix, assign scores to each concept/design, calculate the overall value for each, and then interpret to results to finalize our prosthetic idea.

Classification Scheme - 

A way of grouping and organizing data so that it can be compared with other data. In this case, we made a classification scheme of all of our ideas for our wrist brace to help us come up with a final design.

Mind Map/Decomposition Flow Chart - 

The diagrammatic representation of the particular concept with its sub-parts. We created a flow chart of our wrist brace that shows the breakdown of the overall function of our design into smaller parts called sub-parts/functions.

Human-Centered Design - 

An approach to problem-solving that develops solutions to problems by involving the human perspective and emotion in all steps of the process. It aims to make systems usable and useful by focusing on the users, their needs, and their values.

Constraints - 

Limitations on the design, such as available funds, resources, or time. together, the criteria and constraints are referred to as the requirements for a successful solution, so you must work around your constraints and make sure to hit all of the important criteria.

Tinkering -

A branch of making that emphasizes creative, improvisational problem-solving. It centers on the open-ended design and construction of objects or installations, generally using both high- and low-tech. it is the first step in the experiential learning continuum.

CAD - 

Use of computer-based software to aid in design processes. CAD software is frequently used by different types of engineers and designers to create two-dimensional drawings or three-dimensional models. We used CAD, like Onshape and Fusion Autodesk, to practice our 3D modeling and make our sketches come to life.

Reflection

Although we were productive with our time, step four of the capstone project was the most challenging yet. This section of work was mainly focused on producing our prototype and bringing our vision to fruition, however, we had many assignments to complete along the way. Our group could have been better at conscientious learning, as there were many assignments to get done and we did not complete them all on time. We had to communicate and collectively decide to push the completion of one of our assignments to after the STEM presentation so that we could focus our efforts on the working prototype. An additional success we had was collaborating with our mentor, as we met with him on Friday, April 29, and got many of our questions answered about how to proceed with our model. At this point of development, we have to critically think about our approach to the prototype, which is helping to develop our engineering skills as a whole.