13. Applications and implications¶
What will it be?¶
Since starting the Fab Academy, I had no clear understanding of what I was going to do for my final project. Initially, I considered making an automatic feeder for dogs and even designed it during the computer-aided design week. However, I wasn’t passionate about the feeder idea, and I found it uninspiring, especially after encountering similar projects designed for cats during the lectures.
My final project idea emerged during the computer-controlled cutting week when we needed to make something big. After discussing with my instructor, I began designing a full-size wooden Vespa. During the design process, I realized that this could become my final project, but it needed more than just being big and wooden to meet the final project standards. It needed to be drivable, which meant adding an engine.
I chose an electric engine, thanks to my instructor’s suggestion to use an engine from a hoverboard. One major advantage is that the hoverboard engine is in-wheel, meaning it doesn’t take up additional space, and I don’t need to worry about how to transfer the rotation from the engine to the wheel. The steering problem hasn’t been solved yet, but I think part of it will be made from steel using bicycle parts. The batteries for the engine will be taken from the hoverboard.
Who has done what befoehand?¶
What will you design?¶
I have already designed the frame, which is going to be made from plywood, and I have also done the electronics. week 7
Where will they come from?¶
I think that all parts I can buy from Armenia. If I couldn’t find them in local market i will order them.
Hoverboard engine¶
The scooter needs more than just an engine and batteries; it also needs an accelerator, brakes, lighting, and some additional design features. The braking will be done by the engine, but I might also add bicycle brakes. All these features will be added in the upcoming weeks. Some processes, like welding, lathe machining, and CNC metalworking, will need to be outsourced, but I won’t include their costs because they will be done for free. All these processes will be documented.
About prices.¶
I will use three sheets of plywood, each costing approximately 10,000 Armenian drams, which is about 20 USD (we already have them in the lab). It will be cheaper to buy a used hoverboard with some issues rather than purchasing the parts separately. From the hoverboard, we will take the engines, batteries, and possibly other parts, costing around 30 USD. All electronic components are available in the lab.
The final version of my wooden Vespa will be a full-scale 1:1 replica. Some details will be added and changed, and I plan to buy normal wheels from the shop rather than making them from wood. The steering system will also include some steel construction. The most used tool in this project was extrusion, followed by press and pull. The only parameter in the drawing was the thickness of the material.
As described in the Fab Academy Assessment Handbook, the project will be evaluated based on the following requirements:
- To what extent it includes all the skills gained and developed during the Fab Academy cycle.
- Affordability (less than $100) and ease of replication or creation of a new one.
- Whether all parts were fabricated or some were bought instead of being made.
- Whether the process is well documented and presented.
- And finally, does it work?
| Qty | Description | Price per unit | Link | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PWM 10-50V 60A 3000W DC Motor Speed Controller Board | 22.00 $ | https://www.droking.com/Motor-Speed-Control-Board-DC-Controller-DC10-50V-3000W-60A-Speed-Controller-DC-Motor-Control-Board-light-dimmer-heater-Controller-PWM-Regulator | Order many |
| 1 | 24 volt 6 cm fan | 4.00 $ | https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Pc-Cooling-Fan-80mm-Pc-Fan_1600259732511.html?spm=a2700.7735675.0.0.6ee2auu7auu7MK&s=p | |
| 4 | 7 Ah 12 Volt Scooter Battery | 29.99 $ | https://www.monsterscooterparts.com/trsc/rec-categories/12vo7amphoba.html | |
| 6 | plywood sheets 1525 x 1525 18mm | 19.00 $ | local shop link | |
| 1 | filament 400g | 12 $ | local shop link | |
| 2 | LED | 3 $ | ||
| 1 | switch | 1 $ | ||
| 2 | LED | 3 $ | ||
| 2 | LED | 3 $ | ||
| 5 | XT 60 conector set | 9 $ | XT60 amazon link | |
| 2 | LDR sensor | 0.5 $ |
All the other materials I used, like wires and connectors, cost under 20$. Overall spendings are approximately 280$ including old bike parts that I used.s
Conclusion¶
I’m writing this conclusion in 2024. Most of the things I described in 2020 match reality. If I were to do this project in 2024, I would make some changes and improve the project and time management, resulting in a better outcome. The major problem with this project was the time constraint, as it was completed within one week.