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15. Mechanical design

The Dassault team had several meetings to discuss the machining project. Our team decided to create a Rube Goldberg Machine. A Rube Goldberg Machine is designed to perform a simple task in an indirect and overcomplicated manner. This machine consists of a series of simple devices that are linked together to produce a series of actions that ultimately perform a simple task. The simple task that our machine will perform is to start the Shopbot.

We shared our ideas and decided which modules to include in the final project. We had a brainstorming session to determine which simple devices to create, develop a plan of action, and assigned individual tasks.

Brainstorming Session Output

Individual Tasks

LaShawnda-coordinate the modules and transition points

Jose Tomas-Catapult/ramps

Jose Luis-Create Monkey

Dan-Wave Machine

Aleza-Monkeys

Alex-Conveyor

Rube Goldberg Machine Workflow

  1. Moving Monkeys
  2. Falling row of dominos
  3. Conveyor Belt
  4. Maze
  5. Wave Machine
  6. Catapult launch
  7. Human starts machine

One of the challenges that we faced as a group was deciding on the mechanics of the Goldberg machine. Individually, we had many different and interesting ideas about the type of modules that could be included in the final machine. The more we talked and brainstormed the more extensive the project became. We were able to overcome this challenge using spiral development to develop a feasible project to complete in the allotted time that we have to commit to the project. Overall, we were able to put our heads together and develop a plan to create a fun and exciting machine.

Individual Contribution

Each member of our team created sketches of simple devices could be included in the final product. I sketched several modules that could be included in the final group project. ~insert pic~

While the group was receptive to my ideas, we decided to limit the number of modules that focus on mechanical design and automation of the machine. Therefore, none of the modules that sketched will be included in Rude Goldberg Machine. I am working with my group members to coordinate the modules and ensure that the modules seamlessly work together. Thus far, I organized the modules and created the workflow of our Goldberg machine. Machine Workflow 1. Moving Monkeys 2. Falling row of dominos 3. Conveyor Belt 4. Maze 5. Wave Machine 6. Catapult launch 7. Human starts machine

I am also helping to document how we create the machine. I have been searching on www.thingaverse.com for ideas and prompts (i.e., dominos) that I can 3D print for the final project. I found a design template for dominos that I am using to make dominos.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:153971