January 19, 1999 Mechanical Design Studio ME185b - Spring 1999
Assignment 4: How Things Work
Due Friday 1/29 by 5pm. Place in bin by door.
Mechanical Dissection and How Things Work Lab (This week)
Each pair of students will be assigned a device to analyze, with a list of questions concerning the device. Together try to answer the questions and determine how the device work. Identify as many "interesting" aspects as possible. Take the device apart and perform tests to verify your hypotheses. Once you have analyzed the device, discuss your conclusions with the instructor, and look at reference material.
Report
Each pair of students should hand in a single report that describes how the device works. A person who has not seen the device should be able to understand from the drawing how it works (reports will be posted on the design bulletin board). For comparison you may look at the book How Things Work which will be available in the lab.
Each report should contain:
• An annotated sketch of the drawing. Make sure you select the best view to describe the details of the device
• Each student should draw at least one isometric, of either the complete device or a specific part.
• Design for manufacturability. A significant effort was made to reduce the cost of manufacturing and assembling the devices that are being dissected. Identify as many aspects of the design for manufacturability that you can.
• Indicate the advantages and disadvantages of the way the device was made.
Drafting Hint: Measure the dimensions of each part, and draw the items with a consistent scale. Otherwise, your drawing will be out of proportion