Evidence of Work
For this project, we were assigned with the task of breaking down and analyzing a machine closely through the process of reverse engineering. My group chose to focus our efforts on a motor-run fan. While the fan was a rather simple machine, the close study of each inner part and the interconnected relationships between each component proved to be rather complex. Furthermore, we worked to improve the fan's original design to include a spray bottle built around the fan to produce a stream of mist. While this modification was only theoretical, we created a blueprint to illustrate this new adaptation. Through conceptual sketches, detailed inspection, and extensive research, our group drafted a report articulating all our findings in which we documented all the steps we went through and the results we found. In addition, we created a Gaant chart to demonstrate our group's progress over the duration of the project. We then adapted our report to create a presentation for the class through the medium of a slideshow.
Below, you can find our presentation, report, and Gaant chart .
Below, you can find our presentation, report, and Gaant chart .
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Content
Reverse Engineering: process by which an object is deconstructed for analysis to then create a new product
Reverse engineering was the main subject we studied in this assignment. As such, we learned about all the steps, decisions, and details about the process itself before even beginning to deconstruct our own object.
Conceptual Sketch: drawing that are often done freehand as a means of exploring initial designs
We used conceptual sketches to learn more about main parts of the fan's machinery. By breaking down not only the fan itself but the internal components of the machine through illustrations and clear labels, we were able to have a visual representation of each part.
Structural Analysis: exploring the connections of the machinery & all its parts
The structural analysis of the fan allowed my group to learn more about the relationships between all of the machine's parts in order to understand why the fan was built the way it was.
Manufacturing Analysis: exploring the background/history of how the machine was made
The manufacturing analysis explains how each part of the fan was made individually to then be put in place within the machine.
Material Analysis: exploring the function of each individual part to determine how the machinery is interconnected & the underlying scientific principles behind each component
The material analysis demonstrates the actual physics and engineering that is behind each individual part.
Design Process: a multi-step plan that involves problem solving, creativity & engineering principles with the end goal of producing a new object
My group relied on the design process to organize our thoughts, complete all tasks properly, and fully analyze the fan.
Reverse engineering was the main subject we studied in this assignment. As such, we learned about all the steps, decisions, and details about the process itself before even beginning to deconstruct our own object.
Conceptual Sketch: drawing that are often done freehand as a means of exploring initial designs
We used conceptual sketches to learn more about main parts of the fan's machinery. By breaking down not only the fan itself but the internal components of the machine through illustrations and clear labels, we were able to have a visual representation of each part.
Structural Analysis: exploring the connections of the machinery & all its parts
The structural analysis of the fan allowed my group to learn more about the relationships between all of the machine's parts in order to understand why the fan was built the way it was.
Manufacturing Analysis: exploring the background/history of how the machine was made
The manufacturing analysis explains how each part of the fan was made individually to then be put in place within the machine.
Material Analysis: exploring the function of each individual part to determine how the machinery is interconnected & the underlying scientific principles behind each component
The material analysis demonstrates the actual physics and engineering that is behind each individual part.
Design Process: a multi-step plan that involves problem solving, creativity & engineering principles with the end goal of producing a new object
My group relied on the design process to organize our thoughts, complete all tasks properly, and fully analyze the fan.
Reflection
Overall, I believe this project was rather successful and a great learning experience. One success of the project was the knowledge and experience I gained from the assignment. I had never worked with conceptual sketches or design analyses, so studying our group's fan so deeply taught me an abundance of new information about basic principles of engineering and the interconnected relationships between machinery's parts. In addition, I thought our group worked rather well together. The project's tasks were evenly dispersed between members to ensure that each person always had something to work on.
However, our team did struggle with time management. The majority of the work was completed in the week prior to the due date when it should have been finished over the course of the assignment. Another weakness my group faced was constant distraction. All members struggled with focusing on the task at hand rather frequently. However, we managed to complete the assignment on time and enjoyed working on it!
However, our team did struggle with time management. The majority of the work was completed in the week prior to the due date when it should have been finished over the course of the assignment. Another weakness my group faced was constant distraction. All members struggled with focusing on the task at hand rather frequently. However, we managed to complete the assignment on time and enjoyed working on it!