- #1
ranger
Gold Member
- 1,687
- 2
Hey all,
Well I'm on the home stretch now. I have to build my senior project. Well this isn't really a senior project per se (thats next semester). What I'm taking is a course on "Product Design and Development". It deals with all the functional aspects that go into designing a product: from initial project idea to the final manufacturable unit. It goes into the design methodologies and so on. I honestly had no idea that so much happens beyond engineering (I'm talking about things like industrial design, marketing, and general project management. I feel so ignorant because I thought that all an engineer does was simply work on a problem he was given...)
Anyway, to better grasp the material of the course, we have to build an actual project to show how we have implemented the various methodologies. We have to show understanding of things such as design for manufacture (DFM), prototyping, concept generation, concept selection, etc.
Although the main idea is to understand the various design methodologies, a lot of emphasis is placed on the project. The instructor made the decision that the project should be electromechanical in nature. He felt that my having moving parts along with electrical circuitry, we would better appreciate concepts such as DFM and prototyping.
So I come here seeking ideas for a suitable project that I can easily use to implement these methodologies. The restrictions are:
-Should be electromechanical in nature
-Mechanical aspect should do something useful (obviously)
-Project should be unique. If an already existing product is chosen, then it should be justified that my project can accomplish the tasks of the existing product in a better (more efficient) way.
It does not have to be controlled by a uC, I can implement computer control via parallel/serial port. I also know that electromechanical systems then to be more expensive than a system that deals with just electrical energy to accomplish its function. As a result I would like to use motors to control moving parts. I'm not so keen on implementing any pneumatics or hydraulics.
So far I was thinking about an automatic beverage dispenser. The only non-submersible way of measuring liquid level in the cup that can think is already taken (measuring electrical continuity). So I've scratched that idea. Maybe you can think of some other project to implement the "electrical continuity" idea in so that I have justification for using it.
Any input is appreciated.
Well I'm on the home stretch now. I have to build my senior project. Well this isn't really a senior project per se (thats next semester). What I'm taking is a course on "Product Design and Development". It deals with all the functional aspects that go into designing a product: from initial project idea to the final manufacturable unit. It goes into the design methodologies and so on. I honestly had no idea that so much happens beyond engineering (I'm talking about things like industrial design, marketing, and general project management. I feel so ignorant because I thought that all an engineer does was simply work on a problem he was given...)
Anyway, to better grasp the material of the course, we have to build an actual project to show how we have implemented the various methodologies. We have to show understanding of things such as design for manufacture (DFM), prototyping, concept generation, concept selection, etc.
Although the main idea is to understand the various design methodologies, a lot of emphasis is placed on the project. The instructor made the decision that the project should be electromechanical in nature. He felt that my having moving parts along with electrical circuitry, we would better appreciate concepts such as DFM and prototyping.
So I come here seeking ideas for a suitable project that I can easily use to implement these methodologies. The restrictions are:
-Should be electromechanical in nature
-Mechanical aspect should do something useful (obviously)
-Project should be unique. If an already existing product is chosen, then it should be justified that my project can accomplish the tasks of the existing product in a better (more efficient) way.
It does not have to be controlled by a uC, I can implement computer control via parallel/serial port. I also know that electromechanical systems then to be more expensive than a system that deals with just electrical energy to accomplish its function. As a result I would like to use motors to control moving parts. I'm not so keen on implementing any pneumatics or hydraulics.
So far I was thinking about an automatic beverage dispenser. The only non-submersible way of measuring liquid level in the cup that can think is already taken (measuring electrical continuity). So I've scratched that idea. Maybe you can think of some other project to implement the "electrical continuity" idea in so that I have justification for using it.
Any input is appreciated.