Project 1: Mechanism

Project 1

In this project, You will learn

Mechanical Linkages
You are going to sketch using shape borrowing
Use tools such as engineer’s square, steel rule, coping saw, file and abrasive paper
Quick mock-up using paper and prototype using foam board.

A mechanical linkage is an assembly of bodies connected to manage forces and movement. It allows controlling the speed or distance or direction of moments with conversion or transmission. Some examples of linkages like a Pantograph: Transmission motions and controls the distance of motion through linkages

( Extract from technologystudent.com)

REVERSE MOTION LINKAGE: As the top rod moves to the left the bottom rod moves to the right. The bars move in opposite directions. Another way of describing this linkage is the direction of movement in one rod is reversed in the other rod. The fixed pivot is the centre of rotation.

PARALLEL MOTION LINKAGE: As the large rod at the top of the diagram moves to the left the two small rods at the bottom move to the right. All the rods are parallel to each other

CRANK AND SLIDER LINKAGE: The rods move forwards and backwards in slider. The fixed pivot anchor the linkages to one place

BELL CRANK LINKAGE: This linkage allows horizontal movement to be converted to vertical movement. It also works the opposite way round. A practical example of this is the brake mechanism on a bicycle

Act 1

Design Situation

UNICEF, a social welfare organization responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. Children in Mali suffered due to the country’s internal conflict over the years. One of their aims is to improve the lives of children in Mali through education. Research over the past 30 years has taught us the most important period of human development is from birth to eight years old. During these years, development of cognitive skills and emotional wellbeing, social competence, and sound physical and mental health builds strong foundation for success well into adult years. The Craft and Tech department in TPSS share a deep commitment to improve children’s lives through play in their learning years. The department aims to organize a toy making competition to design and make a mechanical linkage toy for children in Mali.

Design Brief

To design and make a mechanical linkage toy souvenirs for children in Mali to help them develop their cognitive skills and improve their social and emotional wellbeing.

Design Specifications

1. The mechanical toy must be made of acrylic.

2. The mechanical toy must have a design theme of cartoon.

3. The mechanical toy must generate movement using linkage with either one or two movements.

Examples of Linkage Toys

Observe the video and pictures, identify the fixed and movable pivot.
What are some design considerations you will need to consider?

Design Task

Every design starts with an idea. Based on your research, and block diagram, ideate using 2D sketches to show how your mechanism should function and design theme shown. Your task should show the following.

Considering relevant factors when generating and developing ideas
Sketching to design (2D)
Complete 18 designs using the underlay provided

Act 2: Working Drawing/ Dimension and Steps for prototyping

From your chosen design, choose one to make a quick mock-up using papers, paper clip to test your design. The paper mock-up should be of scale 1:1. Get all relevant dimensions And Paste your mock-up in your booklet.

The purpose of a mock up is to :

Allow you to test your design if it works and check if it looks right from different angle.
Check if the design works up ton your expectation
Check if the parts fit together correctly.

Video on creating a mock-up using paper

Realisation Plan

A realisation plan helps you to think through the entire process of making the product.
It is used for checking the availability of the tools, materials and processes you will need during manufacture.

It should include:

working drawings with a material list
flow chart
production schedule

Symbol used in a flow chart

A production schedule shows the stages of manufacture on a single chart.
The main task are listed in order
Number of periods are listed across the top.
Shading is used to show exactly when each task is due to happen during production.

Act 3: Prototype your Mechanical Toy

You will be provided with the cardboard, fasteners to do a quick prototype of your design. The purpose of a prototype is to:

Quickly test if your ideas can work according to your design specifications
To get an idea of how your final design will look like.
Write down your evaluation and testing outcome of your project in your booklet and also the story of your design.

Watch these videos on how to make prototype using foam board.

Some Examples

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