Objective: 1.1-1.5, 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, Max points: 100
Deliverables: (see below) Physical Prototype & Blog Posting
Challenge: In teams of two, design and build a bottle opener – capable of opening a non-twist-off glass soda bottle – made from a single piece of acetal (trade name Delrin) plastic sheet (either 1/8”, 3/16,” or 1/4″ thick) cut using the lab’s laser cutter. The bottle opener may not be greater than 6” in any dimension (acetal is expensive!) and should only be made of acetal. You are allowed to file down parts of your opener after laser cutting and add non-functional decorations but should not modify the part in any other way.
Process and Recommended Timeline: (document each stage of the process for your blog; if you are falling far behind, check in with Amy ASAP)
In-class on Tuesday until start of class on Friday
Start by brainstorming, which will involve sketching a series of ideas by hand and then choosing your favorite. Selecting your favorite may involve incorporating ideas from multiple sketches. Remember not to fall in love with your first idea.
Next, build a rough physical “mockup” of your favorite idea out of foam core or cardboard. The mockup should be to scale.
When you’re satisfied that you have a viable plan, then, and only then, begin implementing your idea by drawing the part in SolidWorks.
To get started with Solidworks, watch Solidworks videos 1 & 2 found in the course google drive (linked to from the resources section of the course blog) initially.
In-class on Friday
Finish your SolidWorks drawing and then get help from Amy or Larry making your part on the laser cutter, referring to Solidworks videos 3 & 4 in the course google drive. Notes: video three says you have Test it! If your first effort fails to open a bottle … that’s normal! Iteration is an essential and expected part of the engineering process.
Outside of class before classtime on Friday 2/3.
Draw in SolidWorks and then cut on the laser cutter a second, improved bottle opener.
Deliverables: Your deliverables for this project are
- The physical artifacts you and your partner create in both foam core and Delrin. Be sure to label these clearly with your names. You will demo these in class on 2/5/16.
- An individual blog posting documenting your design process. The post should be Categorized “Bottle Opener.” In your design blog, include the following:
- A visual summary of your process. Include photos or scans of your brainstormed sketches, photos of your physical mock-ups, an image of your Solidworks drawings, and a photo of your initial laser-cut part and iteration(s).
- A brief engineering analysis of your design and its function, based on the cantilever beam equation shown in class. What design elements of your bottle opener are influenced by the physics of bottle openers? Which equation variables could you control and which were fixed?
- A reflection on your design process. You should explain your process, your decisions, and your results. Comment on your final design and things you might improve upon if given more time.
