Reverse engineering is when you take apart an already existing product and document it heavily, in order to figure out how it works. This is a very important step when making enhancements to an already existing design. Liam and I came up with possible enhancements by looking at the original truck and thinking of things we could add that wouldn't interfere with how the product works, like a piece blocking the wheels from rotating.
We did a visual analysis, which is the first stage of reverse engineering, and documented all of the principles and elements of design used in the design of the truck from the front, top, and side. In the second stage of reverse engineering which is the functional analysis, we inferred how some pieces fit together and their purpose. We also figured out what function from the product changed, say force into movement (it would be the rubber tires gripping the surface). For the third and final stage of reverse engineering we performed a structural analysis. for this we took the truck completely apart and documented important aspects of each part, like the material, dimensions, and density. we also decided whether the materials used where good choices for their purpose.
Define the Problem
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We talked and divided the tasks among ourselves; I did all of the things that required inventor because that was my strength and Liam did the rest. Since we had already worked together earlier in the year we didn't have to exchange personal information.
Generate concepts
Brainstorming Ideas
1. Wings and a Jet engine
2. Lift Kit
3. Helicopter
4. Armored Troop Carrier
5. SPG (Self Propelled Gun)
1. Wings and a Jet engine
2. Lift Kit
3. Helicopter
4. Armored Troop Carrier
5. SPG (Self Propelled Gun)
Develop a solution
Construct and test a prototype
Evaluate the solution
I showed my design to my mom and dad, both thought it was cool and proportional. When they saw it the first things they wanted to check if the engine was centered on the back and if the wings are the same size and shape (which they are).
Conclusion
Some factors to keep in mind when enhancing a design are, you don't want the the enhancement to keep the original design from working. You also want to be able to recognize the design somewhat, you don't want the enhancement to make the design completely unrecognizable. It is important to document the brainstorming process, because if you don't you might forget a really good idea you had and you wont have anything to remind you, or tell you what it was. The purpose of sketching ideas is to get a rough idea of what your final product will look like before you model it. It also is a good tool to use if your partner doesn't understand what it will look like.
Overall the project was pretty easy again, and Liam and I worked well together like last time. I had all of the inventor skills down that i needed. The most advanced thing I used was loft. I think the project would be more fun, interesting, and challenging if we made our own car. We did run into a little problem when my car was getting messed up because one of my pieces were saved somewhere else. I was surprised there wasn't an airfoil tool that you could use on wings; I filleted them the best I could, but they aren't perfect. I'm pretty happy with the final design, it would be cool if I could make flames coming out of the engine, but thats a little over my inventor skill.
Overall the project was pretty easy again, and Liam and I worked well together like last time. I had all of the inventor skills down that i needed. The most advanced thing I used was loft. I think the project would be more fun, interesting, and challenging if we made our own car. We did run into a little problem when my car was getting messed up because one of my pieces were saved somewhere else. I was surprised there wasn't an airfoil tool that you could use on wings; I filleted them the best I could, but they aren't perfect. I'm pretty happy with the final design, it would be cool if I could make flames coming out of the engine, but thats a little over my inventor skill.