Break It Apart! Reverse Engineering Project
The purpose of this project is to take apart a simple item and figure out how it works. Then, using our information of how the system works, we were supposed to come up with a redesign that will add an extra element to the simple item.
The item that my group chose was a mini-fan. We broke this mini-fan apart and figured out the function of each piece. We analyzed this item on a structural and functional level through research and creating blueprints. Then, we created a redesign of the project with an LED light and explained how it would theoretically work.
Once we did all of our research and understood the inner workings of the fan, we wrote a report and presented our item to the class. During this presentation, we talked about everything we researched. At the end, we reflected on how successful we were with our goals and what we could do better next time. I have linked our presentation and report below:
The item that my group chose was a mini-fan. We broke this mini-fan apart and figured out the function of each piece. We analyzed this item on a structural and functional level through research and creating blueprints. Then, we created a redesign of the project with an LED light and explained how it would theoretically work.
Once we did all of our research and understood the inner workings of the fan, we wrote a report and presented our item to the class. During this presentation, we talked about everything we researched. At the end, we reflected on how successful we were with our goals and what we could do better next time. I have linked our presentation and report below:
BLUEPRINTS ARE IN THE REPORT AND SLIDESHOW
Content:
Voltage - electromotive force that makes electric charges move. The mini-fan that we broke apart was powered by AA batteries, which have 1.5 volts.
Structural Analysis - an analysis of the structure of an object. We used structural analysis to analyze the mini-fan during the early stages of our project.
Manufacturing Analysis - an analysis of the creation or manufacturing of an object. We used manufacturing analysis to analyze the mini-fan during the early stages of our project.
Functional Analysis - an analysis of the function of an object. We used functional analysis to analyze the mini-fan during the early stages of our project.
Material Analysis - an analysis of the material of an object. We used material analysis to analyze the mini-fan during the early stages of our project.
Exploded View Blueprint - a blueprint where the elements are flying through the air and spread out. It is used to show the elements individually and where they go in relation to the actual item.
Plastic Molding - a process that shapes plastic into specific shapes. This was used to create most of the parts of the mini-fan.
AA Battery - a battery with around 1.5 Volts. It is used in many common items, including the fan we broke apart.
Motor - a machine that is powered by electricity and generates power for some other device. We used a motor to power the blade of the fan. The battery powered the motor through wires and the motor powered the blade of the fan. The motor has coiled wires that transfer the battery energy into rotational energy for the fan blade.
Coin Cell Battery - A battery in the shape of a coin that has around 3 volts of energy. We used this in our theoretical redesign of the fan because we needed a coin cell battery to provide enough energy for the LED Light.
Design Process - An iterative or repeating decision-making process that results in a plan to produce a new product (1). Students were recommended this process when coming up with this redesign.
Problem Solving - The process of understanding a problem, devising a plan, carrying out the plan, and evaluating the effectiveness of the plan to solve a problem or meet a need or want (1). We used this when we found problems with our team and the product redesign.
Constraints - Engineers design under constraints. This means that there have limits on the time, money and resources allowed to do their work (1). We had to work with constraints during this project. For example, we didn't have the materials to fix our motor, so we had to make a theoretical design.
Technology - The process of design is either solving problems with criteria and constraints, the product, system or environment that results from the design, or the new understanding or knowledge gained through the design and production of a product (1). We used technology to create the report and slides for our project.
Reverse Engineering - A strategy used to find answers to questions about an existing product that are used in the design of another product (1). Our whole project was based on reverse engineering; we took apart an item and found out more about it.
Invention - Design work that results in something unique or novel (1). Although we technically didn't invent anything during this project, we created a product redesign that was unique (by adding a coin cell battery and LED light).
Innovation - Process of improving or modifying an existing product (1). We did use innovation with the product redesign. We improved the mini-fan by adding the coin cell battery and LED light.
1. Mr. Tronchoni's website: https://sites.google.com/students.nusd.org/stemse/home
Structural Analysis - an analysis of the structure of an object. We used structural analysis to analyze the mini-fan during the early stages of our project.
Manufacturing Analysis - an analysis of the creation or manufacturing of an object. We used manufacturing analysis to analyze the mini-fan during the early stages of our project.
Functional Analysis - an analysis of the function of an object. We used functional analysis to analyze the mini-fan during the early stages of our project.
Material Analysis - an analysis of the material of an object. We used material analysis to analyze the mini-fan during the early stages of our project.
Exploded View Blueprint - a blueprint where the elements are flying through the air and spread out. It is used to show the elements individually and where they go in relation to the actual item.
Plastic Molding - a process that shapes plastic into specific shapes. This was used to create most of the parts of the mini-fan.
AA Battery - a battery with around 1.5 Volts. It is used in many common items, including the fan we broke apart.
Motor - a machine that is powered by electricity and generates power for some other device. We used a motor to power the blade of the fan. The battery powered the motor through wires and the motor powered the blade of the fan. The motor has coiled wires that transfer the battery energy into rotational energy for the fan blade.
Coin Cell Battery - A battery in the shape of a coin that has around 3 volts of energy. We used this in our theoretical redesign of the fan because we needed a coin cell battery to provide enough energy for the LED Light.
Design Process - An iterative or repeating decision-making process that results in a plan to produce a new product (1). Students were recommended this process when coming up with this redesign.
Problem Solving - The process of understanding a problem, devising a plan, carrying out the plan, and evaluating the effectiveness of the plan to solve a problem or meet a need or want (1). We used this when we found problems with our team and the product redesign.
Constraints - Engineers design under constraints. This means that there have limits on the time, money and resources allowed to do their work (1). We had to work with constraints during this project. For example, we didn't have the materials to fix our motor, so we had to make a theoretical design.
Technology - The process of design is either solving problems with criteria and constraints, the product, system or environment that results from the design, or the new understanding or knowledge gained through the design and production of a product (1). We used technology to create the report and slides for our project.
Reverse Engineering - A strategy used to find answers to questions about an existing product that are used in the design of another product (1). Our whole project was based on reverse engineering; we took apart an item and found out more about it.
Invention - Design work that results in something unique or novel (1). Although we technically didn't invent anything during this project, we created a product redesign that was unique (by adding a coin cell battery and LED light).
Innovation - Process of improving or modifying an existing product (1). We did use innovation with the product redesign. We improved the mini-fan by adding the coin cell battery and LED light.
1. Mr. Tronchoni's website: https://sites.google.com/students.nusd.org/stemse/home
Reflection:
I honestly think my project experience was very mediocre. I managed to work with my team, but we didn't really get along. At the same time, however, we did not fight and got the job done on time. This project wasn't bad but it wasn't great.
I was very intellectually persistent during this project. Usually, I focus on the professionality and organization of the STEM projects I work on, but this time, I took the intellectual challenge head-on. For example, I was assigned to create the product redesign and had to figure it out with no guidance. I came up with a redesign that's structure and engineering made sense. Another thing that I did well was communicate with my team. During this project, I communicated successfully with my team and knew what they were doing at all times. Most of our group got our work done on time and were willing to help wherever they could.
I think that I could've provided something extra to this project. Although I did meet standards, I feel like I could've been more creative with what I wanted to do and the presentation. Ultimately, we did not have enough time to refine our presentation, but I could've made it a priority to add creativity into our project. I also feel like I should've connected the group more. Even though we communicated well, we were in our own spaces. Everyone was working on their own assignments and there wasn't much collaboration. I could've merged tasks to add collaboration between our group.
I was very intellectually persistent during this project. Usually, I focus on the professionality and organization of the STEM projects I work on, but this time, I took the intellectual challenge head-on. For example, I was assigned to create the product redesign and had to figure it out with no guidance. I came up with a redesign that's structure and engineering made sense. Another thing that I did well was communicate with my team. During this project, I communicated successfully with my team and knew what they were doing at all times. Most of our group got our work done on time and were willing to help wherever they could.
I think that I could've provided something extra to this project. Although I did meet standards, I feel like I could've been more creative with what I wanted to do and the presentation. Ultimately, we did not have enough time to refine our presentation, but I could've made it a priority to add creativity into our project. I also feel like I should've connected the group more. Even though we communicated well, we were in our own spaces. Everyone was working on their own assignments and there wasn't much collaboration. I could've merged tasks to add collaboration between our group.