Reverse Engineering Project

For our first project, we brought in small gadgets for each of us to disassemble and analyze. We took each gadget apart using basic tools like a screwdriver and pry tool. Then, we sketched a basic engineering diagram of the item and answered basic question about it.

I brought in a calculator as my gadget and used a screwdriver and pry tool to open it up. I then had to use a soldering iron to melt the pins holding the motherboard in place. I then took out each component of the calculator and did research to find out their functions and how they related to the other parts. The hardest part was finding the motherboard and figuring out what each component did. I used my research to draw diagrams and an exploded view of the calculator. I also created a flow chart to show how the calculator functions.

Evidence of Work

Content

Conceptual sketch

A rough drawing that helps engineers identify the different systems and how they interact. This was the first step in our reverse engineering project

Reverse Engineering

The process of disassembling an object to analyze its components and how it functions. This was the basis of our project and was the process I went through to analyze my calculator.

Flow Chart

A chart that shows the steps that make a gadget function. I made a flowchart to show how a calculator functions

Exploded View

A diagram that shows the gadget broken up. My conceptual sketch was an exploded view to show the relationships between the different parts.

Technical sketch

A more detailed drawing that includes dimensions and is scaled properly.

Reflection

Overall, this project helped me to learn about the engineering process and the many things that go into a reverse engineering project. Two things that I think I did well was time management and problem solving. I was able to manage my time effectively to finish disassembling and drawing my diagrams with extra time to spare. I also encountered many issues like the motherboard being stuck onto the case and not being able to find information on the motherboard itself. I ended up using a soldering iron to release the pins holding the board and used diagrams of similar motherboards to identify the different components on it.

Two things I think I could work on are my organization and communication skills. While I had enough time to finish everything, I didn't keep all my notes and diagrams organized. When had our classmates give feedback to our work, I was told that my diagrams and notes weren't organized very well. I also didn't write my notes clear enough for readers to fully understand the process I went through when taking apart the calculator.

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