AUTOMOBLOX IMPROVEMENT
Product Introduction
Reverse engineering is used to understand how an object works. For this project we used reverse engineering to figure out how we could improve the T9 Truck. We decided the truck needed to be geared toward 5-7 year old children and we made this possible by improving certain visual and structural aspects. Improving the way the body pieces connected simplified the car and made it more entertaining for this age group.
Reverse Engineering
Reverse engineering is the process of taking apart and analyzing an object. This is done in three steps: visual analysis, what the object looks like, functional analysis, what the object's purpose is, and structural analysis, what the object is composed of. Below is a picture of text explaining the three steps to reverse engineering and why they are used.
Define a Problem
Design Brief
Group Norms
Gavin and I exchanged phone numbers so that we could contact each other to discuss the project. We also sent pieces of information that we needed to each other through texts.
Gantt Chart
Generate Concepts
Brainstorming
Decision Matrix
1= worst
5= best
5= best
Sketches
Develop a Solution
Construct and Test Prototype
Evaluate Solution
I showed our modified T9 trucks to both my parents. My mom thought the visual modifications made the product more interesting. She also thought the structural modification made the truck easier to use. She had no suggestions. Overall she thought the new truck was a better design than the old truck. My dad thought the new car was visually improved but did not agree with the structural change. He thought the durability of the car would be improved if the body was one piece instead of three separate pieces that could easily come apart. Both of my parents had questions about the changes made to our car.
Present Solution (Conclusion)
After we were given the assignment Gavin and I brainstormed ideas to improve the T9 truck. After we decided on the modifications we divided up the rest of the work and decided how we were going to accomplish our goal. Gavin and I successfully completed our task. Our final design included modifications to the connectors to make them simpler and more geared toward younger children. We also added some color and other visual modifications to make the truck more appealing and entertaining. Gavin and I worked well together and used many of the Inventor skills we learned.
I. When changing or enhancing a design you must keep in mind how it will look/ function when the project is completed. You must also consider the different constraints that will have to be used when assembling the project.
ii. It is important to document the brainstorming process because you can keep the ideas and possibly use them in the future. Documenting the brainstorming process also allows you to quickly jot down ideas without having to remember what you wrote.
iii. Sketching your ideas allows you to visualize the object better and make sure it looks appropriate. Sketches also allow you to have a better concept when you create the same design on the computer.
ii. It is important to document the brainstorming process because you can keep the ideas and possibly use them in the future. Documenting the brainstorming process also allows you to quickly jot down ideas without having to remember what you wrote.
iii. Sketching your ideas allows you to visualize the object better and make sure it looks appropriate. Sketches also allow you to have a better concept when you create the same design on the computer.