Break it Apart Challenge

Task

For our first project of senior year engineering we were given the task to take something apart. Observe all the parts of an object we brought it, to see how each part of the object was needed to get it to work, and to record our findings. We learned about what makes the engineering process, conceptual sketches, and include flowcharts. Throughout this time we were taking notes on what this class would be about, and how we can apply real life engineering into every porject we do in class.

The object I chose to bring in was a flashlight. I started by sketching out each part of the flashlight and then began to unscrew and disasemble the flashlight as much as I could without breaking it. After this I researched and investgated to see what each part of the flashlight was needed for, in order for it to work. The next day I decided to break open the light part of the flashlight, in order to investigate the object further. I used a hammer to break out the bread board aspect of the flashlight.

I then began to sketch out in an exploded view each part of the flashlight, the LEDs, the breadboard, the batteries, etc. Adding in measurements of each part and drawing it with those in my journal. After examining all these parts I put together my flowchart of the energy through the flashlight and the actions for how a flashlight works. This is helpful to identify the mechanics of the object and how it all works together.

Evidence of Work

Content

Conceptual Sketch: A concept sketch is a simplified sketch illustrating the main aspects of a concept or system, annotated with concise but complete labels that identify the features, depict the processes that are occurring, and characterize the relationships among features and processes.

Flow chart: A flowchart is a visual representation of the sequence of steps and decisions needed to perform a process

Engineering drawings: A three dimensional object on a two dimensional paper or computer by a proccess called projection. There are three types we will use in this class:

• Isometric: 3 axes of this drawing form 120 degree angles with each other; circles appear as ellipses

• Perspective: objects in these appear how the human eye would see it, parallel lines converge to a single point at the horizon

• Orthographic: objects in these appear to be in a "glass box", each face of the object is projected onto a side of the box

Drawing Scale and Dimensioning: the scale is the ratio of the sizes of drawing to reality size, should be put in only as many dimensions as necessary

Important Engineering Questions:

What are flowcharts used for and why are they helpful? Flowcharts allow us to visualize the mechanics and functions of an object.

How do conceptual sketches help engineers? Lets engineers see how elements of something are connected, helps engineers visualize how systems of something work, and helps the engineer identify the elements of something.

What do engineers need to do before trying to solve a problem? Ask Questions! things that can be answered with units, variables, etc.