For the first major project in our senior engineering class, we focused on taking apart an object and thoroughly understanding it and thinking of a way to improve it. The object we chose was an electric pencil sharpener. First, we inspected in the object and asked ourselves what is the purpose of it and how can we make it better. Our final decision on what to do with the pencil sharpener was to make it a portable, electric sharpener. We looked at the connections within and brainstormed how we could alter all the pieces to make it smaller and reconnect to a battery pack.
The process of the Reverse Engineering project had 6 main steps. Step 1 was identifying the purpose, step 2 was developing a hypothesis, step 3 was to disassemble our item, step 4 consisted of different types of analysis, step 5 was discussion questions, and step 6 was to redesign. In the attached documents below, each step is explained thoroughly and more information can be located in the content section below.
The process of the Reverse Engineering project had 6 main steps. Step 1 was identifying the purpose, step 2 was developing a hypothesis, step 3 was to disassemble our item, step 4 consisted of different types of analysis, step 5 was discussion questions, and step 6 was to redesign. In the attached documents below, each step is explained thoroughly and more information can be located in the content section below.
Presentation: This presentation was shown to our class and explains the process we went through and clearly shows the information from our report (lower right).
GANTT chart: Prior to starting the project, we learned what a GANTT chart is and how we will use it for every project. It is important to see how we broke up our work and worked efficiently as a team.
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Report write-up: Below is the final report of the project. The information is the same as given in the slideshow, but in a report format and following the Step by step process piece by piece. We used this report to clearly and correctly lay out the information on our slideshow.
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Content:
The main focus on this project was each step of the reverse engineering process. Each step had a different purpose.
Step 1: Identify the purpose- For any object, the purpose should be found. In our case, the pencil sharpener's purpose was to sharpen good points.
Step 2: Develop a hypothesis- This entails figuring out how to alter the object. We wanted to test how we could change the sharpener from a stationary plug-in sharpener to a portable one.
Step 3: Dissassembly- Taking apart the object and understanding the connections. We took apart the pencil sharpener and figured out where pieces connect and why they were important.
Step 4: Analysis
- Functional Analysis: Understanding how the object functions through connections. We inspected the pencil sharpener to understand how everything turns to allow the sharpening.
-Structural Analysis: Understanding the shape, size, and weight of the object. We inspected the need for the external and internal parts and why the structure was necessary.
-Material Analysis: Understanding why each material was used. In the pencil sharpener, we inspected every piece and figured out through our own knowledge as well as the internet, why the materials were needed.
-Manufacturing Analysis: How they are developed in a factory. This entailed researching how each part was made and if they were all made in the same factory and why.
Step 5: Discussion Questions- Asking why certain things worked, what went well, what could be improved, etc. For ours we questions the different ways to redesign and what approach was best.
Step 6: Redesign- Redesigning with something changed. We redesigned to make it portable using a battery.
The main focus on this project was each step of the reverse engineering process. Each step had a different purpose.
Step 1: Identify the purpose- For any object, the purpose should be found. In our case, the pencil sharpener's purpose was to sharpen good points.
Step 2: Develop a hypothesis- This entails figuring out how to alter the object. We wanted to test how we could change the sharpener from a stationary plug-in sharpener to a portable one.
Step 3: Dissassembly- Taking apart the object and understanding the connections. We took apart the pencil sharpener and figured out where pieces connect and why they were important.
Step 4: Analysis
- Functional Analysis: Understanding how the object functions through connections. We inspected the pencil sharpener to understand how everything turns to allow the sharpening.
-Structural Analysis: Understanding the shape, size, and weight of the object. We inspected the need for the external and internal parts and why the structure was necessary.
-Material Analysis: Understanding why each material was used. In the pencil sharpener, we inspected every piece and figured out through our own knowledge as well as the internet, why the materials were needed.
-Manufacturing Analysis: How they are developed in a factory. This entailed researching how each part was made and if they were all made in the same factory and why.
Step 5: Discussion Questions- Asking why certain things worked, what went well, what could be improved, etc. For ours we questions the different ways to redesign and what approach was best.
Step 6: Redesign- Redesigning with something changed. We redesigned to make it portable using a battery.
Reflection:
During our project, my group worked really well together and our collaboration skills were quite good. Prior to being in the same group, all of us were already close friends. This helped us be able to be honest and be tough on each other to get our stuff done. Our collaborating skills were of superior quality. I noticed everyone in the group gave their opinions and listened intently. The members of our group are all very outgoing people, making it easy for everyone to want to share.
On the other hand, we did not succeed as much in understanding the project in the beginning. My group thought that we needed to actually finish the new design when we first began. This wasted some of our time due to a lack of listening to the initial explanation of the project. Due to this, our time management lacked a little bit because our focus was off. However, we were able to catch up and work hard to finish the project.
During our project, my group worked really well together and our collaboration skills were quite good. Prior to being in the same group, all of us were already close friends. This helped us be able to be honest and be tough on each other to get our stuff done. Our collaborating skills were of superior quality. I noticed everyone in the group gave their opinions and listened intently. The members of our group are all very outgoing people, making it easy for everyone to want to share.
On the other hand, we did not succeed as much in understanding the project in the beginning. My group thought that we needed to actually finish the new design when we first began. This wasted some of our time due to a lack of listening to the initial explanation of the project. Due to this, our time management lacked a little bit because our focus was off. However, we were able to catch up and work hard to finish the project.