Mechanisms Skill Builder

Mechanisms Skill-builder

Project context:

For my first year industrial engineering cornerstone 1 class, we were prompted to complete a skill builder with a chosen partner. In short, this skill builder required us to pick a mechanism from a given set of mechanisms, create a low-fidelity prototype, and then a laser-cut prototype.

The mechanism we chose is two interlocking gears, with one driving wheel with a purpose of moving first, which then prompts the other gear to move a fixed angle throughout each cycle. After research, we found that this mechanism is called the Geneva Drive, where the gear containing the slots is called the Geneva Wheel. Between each engagement of both gears, the Geneva wheel on the right stays locked in place until another interaction with the driving wheel. This mechanism prompts precise motion, which could carry out real world functions that include mechanical clocks, watches, to move in certain time intervals.

My goal for this project was to learn how to properly sketch a mechanism on AutoCad as a template for laser-cutting. My goal was to also learn the process of creating a component, from the planning, low-fidelity building, AutoCad drawing, and to finally laser-cut it. All of these steps taught me the importance of planning and implementing in design.

Low-Fidelity Prototype:

For this project, we both worked on our own low-fidelity prototypes before starting the final laser one. The low fidelity prototype consists of cardboard, pins, and wood for one of them. This particular prototype of mine showcase how I approached the process of modeling this mechanism. I had to use available material to think of ways to physically model the mechanism.

Figure 1: Low-fidelity Prototype #1

The first low fidelity prototype that is seen in figure 1 was done by Me. What I found difficult during the process of making this mechanism out of available material is finding a component that allows both gears to turn. I used several pins to create a hook for the gears to sit on, but after speaking to my partner I then realized it would’ve been much easier to use one pin without carving a huge hole in the center. I added a wooden piece to prompt easier mobility as the driving wheel is being moved clockwise. Overall, it wasn’t difficult to model this, it just required precision. For instance, precision was required when cutting the slots on the right as they needed to be the same size as the one slot on the left, so they merge together swiftly to cause the rotation.

AutoCAD Drawing:

Figure 2: AutoCAD Model of Mechanism

Figure 2 above showcases the AutoCAD model that we used to create the laser cut prototype. This was the most challenging part of the assignment for me. I used several of the skills learned in class to model this mechanism. Some of which include the polar array tool, creating circles, connecting lines, the trimming tool, arcs, and more. This model is what allowed for the laser cut model to have such precise and consistent measurements. An obstacle I went through during this portion of the skill builder was creating the driving wheel’s puzzle component as it had to have the same consistent measurement with the Geneva wheel, and its bullet-like shape was hard to copy onto AutoCAD. I solved this by researching how to do it, and the solution was to make two small arcs and combine them. This part of the task really taught me how to face challenges in the design field and combat them through research and persistence. If I had given up and given my partner the chance to do it all then this concept on AutoCAD wouldn't have been engraved in my mind as it now is.

Final laser prototype:

Figure 3: Final Laser Cut Prototype

Figure 3 above showcases the final laser cut prototype. This prototype is more precise than our handmade low-fidelity prototypes, as seen by the fringes pattern being the same all throughout.

The recurring idea that I applied to both the low-fidelity and final prototype was the inclusion of a pin in the center to guide the wheels in spinning 350 degrees. Our final prototype was much larger than the low fidelity one’s too, but it was made from the same materials. The difference lies in the accuracy of the cutting due to the use of laser. When performing the spinning action on the laser prototype, it moves more swiftly and neatly comparison to our low-fidelity prototypes which was rougher in movement.

Reflection:

Working on this Skillbuilder as a partner of two, we both learned how to take a simple model and find corresponding material available to model a tangible prototype of it. Not only did we learn how to model it, but how to specifically model a mechanism that moves, making the thinking process of how to build it more difficult. After both of us finished our separate low-fidelity models, we compared them and reflected on the similarities in our approaches and methods to model this mechanism, which helped us expand our ideas for the laser prototype.

The process of planning the deliverables in accordance with completing this Skillbuilder allowed us to learn how to learn from each step and use what we learned to better the final product. For example, starting with a low fidelity prototype allowed us to establish the moving mechanism in the object and figure out ways to physically copy that. Then, modeling it on AutoCAD allowed us to digitally map out the specific components of the mechanism and how they work with each other to make it move properly. The AutoCAD part served as a gateway for us to showcase what we’ve learned throughout the homework’s in a project, such as the polar array tool, snipping tools, and more. All of these obstacles we went through in the process of completing this skill builder allowed us to perfect the final product and learn about the engineering process

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