My team and I were given the assignment to conduct research on any piece from our "Break It Apart" project. Our team decided to create a little plastic music box with a variety of unique parts. Then, we researched and improved/redesigned our object using the reverse engineering technique.

Content

• Motherboard: controls processes of other components through built in program

• Batteries: deliver power to the motherboard

• Speaker: where electricity is converted to sound waves

• Turntable: allows you to increase or decrease speed of the music

• Music selection: main user interface (U.I) allows the user to select a specific tune which will then be played

Reverse Engineering - A strategy used to find answers to questions about an existing product that are used in the design of another product.

Invention - Design work that results in something unique or novel

Innovation - Process of improving or modifying an existing product

Design Process - An iterative or repeating decision-making process that results in a plan to produce a new product. A problem-solving strategy with criteria and constraint used to develop many possible solutions, to solve a problem or satisfy human needs and wants and to narrow down possible solutions.

Reflection

Like with any work, there were some challenges to be overcome. We desired to be able to have a comprehensive understanding of the relationships between the structural and functional elements of the music box. To achieve this, we had to thoroughly disassemble the numerous wires and screws in order to completely understand our device. Another challenge was our ability to research our topic. Because our object was unlabeled other than to state that it was made in China, it was quite challenging to identify who made it and conduct a trustworthy inquiry. But it made no difference because our team had to work together and assign duties to make sure that everyone was in charge of their own responsibilities.

We must give the research process more time to fully grasp our object before producing the report if we are forced to complete this assignment again. This would also give us more time to devote to the design process and advance past simply the original concept. Overall, our team was successful in completing all the tasks we set out to complete, and we now have a better understanding of every component that goes into a music box's operation.