ME 250 proved to be both a very challenging and rewarding experience especially with respect teamwork, design, and manufacturing. During the first half of the class, through lectures and labs, we learned a great deal about the fundamentals of the design and manufacturing process on both a large scale and a small scale. We learned that you first stat with a problem for which you compose a strategy or a general approach to a problem. Then you come up with a concept or a specific vision of how your strategy is achieved. Next you come up with a module and a sub-assembly that has a defined envelope and specific inputs and outputs. You can then break it up into components, individual parts such as gears beams, or springs. Designing itself is defined by a series of steps that brings you from a course point to a fine point. You must explore, experiment, create, detail, then build and test. During this one first takes stock of the available resources. Then one studies and tires to understand the problem they are solving. Then one comes up with possible strategies for solving the problem. This is followed by concepts for implementing the strategy that is fond to be the best or most effective. Once this is done, you begin to develop models and the components that would be used. This also requires detailed engineering designs and detailed drawings, which can be made using software such as Solid Works (as we did for our machine). Once this is completed you can then begin to build, test, and modify your machine or concept while referring back to the drawings and designs you created. For example, after we finished designing our machine on solid works we found that as we began to actually machine our parts, we needed to deviate from our design and make modification. Once we finished building and assembling our machine and stared testing it we also found that we need to make additions to it. While testing our machine on the ground, we found that experienced a great deal of slipping. First we tried adding different treads to it, but this still did not solve the problem. We also tried rubber bands and glue. After this failed we made one last attempt through the use of duct tape. This proved to be a great success. We were not only able to maintain a relatively fast speed, but we were also able to maintain enough friction with the ground allowing us to climb up part of the wave field. In addition, as we learned and practiced, you can use machines such as mills or lathes to actually make the parts for your machine or concept. One can also use different machines to make rapid prototypes before building on a large scale. One you have completed your design and finished building and testing it, you can then deploy and document or publish your design.
While it was stressed at the beginning of class and we were all warned, the greatest challenge of all is time management. At first the pace of the class seems easy and reasonable. However towards the end you are left with one week to essentially make your machine, or at least that’s how it feels. Looking back on it, the all nighters and 5 hour machining times, although unavoidable, could have been shortened if we had worked ahead early on instead of fallowing the class schedule. However, the competition, even if you don’t win, and seeing your machine actually run, does help make you appreciate all the hard work you have put into over the semester.
My performance in this course could also have used some improvement. I feel that if I had gone in for extra help with CAD, I would have been able to better assist my teammates and help prevent all nighters spent on CAD. I also think that spending more time early on and trying to get ahead in the class would have also proved beneficial and prevented cramming at the end of the semester.
While this class was definitely a fun and rewarding experience, there are still a few things it could improve in. I would suggest incorporate smaller manufacturing deadlines throughout the semester, but incorporated earlier into the schedule. I would also suggest making participation worth something towards the grade, maybe extra credit. I would also have more CAD classes or labs. Coming into the class I had essentially zero CAD experience, this I believe put a burden on the team members who had experience, and also lead to all nighters. I also think it might be worthwhile shortening the lecture a little bit putting the extra time into extending the length of the labs. I would also recommend later class time, the students will not only show up more, but will also be more inter active and focused in the class.
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