Reverse Engineering

Our Goal

For this project, we built upon our last project, Break it Apart. Our group had to select one of the objects our table-mates disassembled, research and analyze each part, the functions, and the systems, and then apply our findings to design a better object. We chose to continue with my object, the depiller. In order to successfully analyze and improve our object, we followed the six steps of the reverse engineering process. 

1. Identify the purpose of the product

2. Develop a hypothesis

3. Disassemble product

4. Analyze the elements

5. Prepare a report

6. Redesign

Content

Reverse Engineering - 

A strategy used to answer questions about an existing product. Answers can be used to aid in the design of another product. 

Innovation - 

The process of improving or modifying an existing product. The redesign step in reverse engineering process fosters innovation and creativity from each group. In our redesign we had to consider what would make the depiller more effective while keeping the cost and manufacturing reasonably priced. 

Invention - 

Design work that results in something unique or new. We came up with a new invention by modifying the depiller and making it unique. 

Gannt Chart - 

A chart that illustrates a project schedule and includes all tasks, deadlines, and assignments within the group. We used a gannt chart to make ourselves a timeline and to hold ourselves accountable for reaching deadlines. 

Material Analysis - 

What materials are used to build the object and what their properties are. 

Structural Analysis -

How the different parts are connected together.

Functional Analysis -

What the function of the different parts are, how they work together, and what the underlying scientific principles are behind the functioning. 

Manufacturing Analysis - 

How the object was made, from raw materials into a finished product.

Reflection

Overall, I really enjoyed this project and the work that was produced by me and my group. We worked really well as a team, as Catherine and I naturally fell into a collaborative leadership role while Aiden and Issac were more than willing to help us in any aspect. Each person took over an analysis section and we worked together in completing the reflection and redesign. I demonstrated good collaboration and conscientious learning skills, one example being leading my group in check-ins to set daily goals. Using the gannt chart really helped us with our time management and we were even able to finish the project a few days early. Our report was detailed and thorough and we made our presentation informational and engaging. 

Although we worked really well together and turned in a good final project, there is always room for self-improvement and for things to be better. I struggled with knowing exactly what details to include in the materials analysis of the product, but by referring to the guidelines I was able to give a detailed report of each material, the material properties, and the unit cost for manufacturing. In this situation I wish I had leaned more on my teammates and Mr. Tronconi and communicated the struggles I was facing. Also during the redesign, I struggled to help my team to identify areas that the product could be improved since it seemed to me that the depiller was efficient and functioning fine. I would like to increase my creativity and outside of the box thinking for the Capstone project because I foresee it being a useful skill in such a big engineering project. After this project, I am excited to work on the Capstone and apply my new reverse engineering skills to it.