What Was This Step?
As our team traverses further into our Capstone Project, we have completed Design Step 4: Experiments and Modeling. The overall theme of this step was thinking about how our project would work in the real world through experimentation. In our Detailed Experiment/Test Plan, planned out how we would test pykrete to find how it operated in the real world. This included designing experiments around its durability and freezing and melting capacity. We made ice our control since pykrete is an ice alloy, and outlined how to make different forms of pykrete, using different kinds of wood shavings and a gelatin mix. We then did these tests and documented it in our Lab Report. Due to time and resource limitations, we were not able to tests different forms of pykrete, but the results were still useful in figuring out pykrete's properties. For this step, we also continued doing CAD tutorials in Onshape to lay the groundwork to prepare for our final CAD model of our product. Additionally, we did tutorials with the programs Tinkercad and SimCast to become more familiar with key engineering concepts and software.
This web-page includes our Detailed Experiment Tess/Plans, our Lab Report, images of my CAD models, images from my SimCast tests, and my reflection on this step. A traditional concepts section is not included, as concepts can be found in the project proposal of Design Step 2 and throughout the documents on this page.
This web-page includes our Detailed Experiment Tess/Plans, our Lab Report, images of my CAD models, images from my SimCast tests, and my reflection on this step. A traditional concepts section is not included, as concepts can be found in the project proposal of Design Step 2 and throughout the documents on this page.
Our Detailed Experiment Tests/Plans
Our Lab Report:
My Onshape CAD Models:
My SimCast Tests:
Reflection:
Overall, this step was an improvement from our last. One thing that went better was our time management. We were more on top of things this time and did our work in an appropriate time frame. This allowed us to boost the quality of our output. We have been able to account for this aspect and improve as a group. Another aspect that went well was how well we got along. There were never any major arguments that occurred between group members and whenever we disagreed on what way we should take the project, we were always able to compromise and move forward.
For all that went well, we had our shortcomings. Firstly, we didn't follow the website properly at all times. For example, our initial sketches weren't detailed enough which lost us points. We will work on this next time. Another failure of our project that has continued from the first part is making sure everyone is pulling their weight. Throughout the second part of our project, there were points where the work load was not being evenly shared or certain people weren't getting their parts done in time. This isn't the fault of anyone, but the failure of the group as a whole. This will be something we all need to work on moving forward.
For all that went well, we had our shortcomings. Firstly, we didn't follow the website properly at all times. For example, our initial sketches weren't detailed enough which lost us points. We will work on this next time. Another failure of our project that has continued from the first part is making sure everyone is pulling their weight. Throughout the second part of our project, there were points where the work load was not being evenly shared or certain people weren't getting their parts done in time. This isn't the fault of anyone, but the failure of the group as a whole. This will be something we all need to work on moving forward.