Exercise 3

Creative Design Thinking

The purpose of this exercise is to learn two techniques used for creative design thinking, become familiar with obstacles to creativity, become familiar with the components in the AEV kit, Learn the basic of orthographic drawings, and brainstorm on individual AEV concept sketches. The group collaborated on potential AEV designs using brainstorming techniques. The process was performed in order to encourage the most creative ideas given by group members with all sorts of different experiences and also to discuss designs that would lesson cost, energy, and materials.

 

Natalie Kroger

My design is similar to Eric’s design. On the bottom of the AEV is a plastic shell that would hold the battery and the arduino board in place. The top is shaped with a triangular structure in order to make the AEV more aerodynamic and to allow the propellers to attach inward at the end of the AEV. This design scored high for stability, durability, and safety. However, this design would cost a lot and the extra parts would add more weight, slowing the AEV down.

Eric Schwegler

 

My design is based around a submarine, with the propellers coming out the side. The internal components are surrounded by an outside shell that makes the AEV more aerodynamic while on the monorail. The design would probably perform very well, being a light and stable design, however the cost of research to make the necessary parts would make the design to expensive to be realistic.

 

Terra Forsythe

For my design, I opted to put the wheels and propellers on the top and bottom of the AEV. I decided to do this to create stability, and allow for the propellers to against the rail in both directions. My thought was that bracing against the rail would reduce wiggling and make the AEV go faster. It would be balanced as long as we keep the arduino and battery in the middle. It is a fairly light design but has a lot of pieces which would ultimately be more expensive.

 

Joe Cooper

My design is more of a heavy, but safe vehicle. At the front, it has barricades to make it more aerodynamic and to keep it safe. It dangles from the track using the L-shaped arm and two wheels. The design is created to easily contain the battery and the arduino.

 

Team Concept Sketch

 

The important conclusion to draw from this lab is that people have different ideas and experiences. Rather than shooting down ideas, the group listened, discussed, and agreed upon a design for Advanced R&D. Each teammate weighed in on some aspect of the final design. The final design uses a lower-case t-shape for the body and the L-shaped arm. The final design was chosen for its lightweight and balanced structure which in turn allows the AEV to be more efficient, safe, stable, cheap, and fast. Est. Cost: $135,750