Lab 05

Lab 05

Situation

The goal for lab 05 was to develop an objective approach to decide the best AEV design the individuals from the group had produced. The initial process that was used was concept screening to develop a scoring process to compare the AEV designs. The next process used was concept scoring to compare the AEV designs based on what the group saw most important. The two designs that were determined to be best by the concept scoring would effectively trump the two designs determined to be best by the concept screening because the process is more specific. This process was important to determine the AEV designs that will be tested moving forward, and what will be altered in the designs based on the most important features of the AEV, as determined by the group.

Results and Analysis

The two designs determined to be best by both concept screening and concept scoring were design 2 and design 4. Design 4 has the highest initial score of the initial drafts from Group H. This can be seen in table 2 of the table and figures section. The most important characteristics of the AEV design to Group H was cost at 15%, efficiency 15%, safety 15%, balance 15%, and energy 15%. Design 4 will be looked at with the most depth to build future designs.

Tables & Figures

Table 1: Initial AEV Design Concept Screening

Concept Screening Initial Drafts
Success Criteria Reference Design 1 Design 2 Design 3 Design 4
Cost 0 + +
Maintenance 0 + + +
Efficiency 0 0 +
Safety 0 0 + 0
Design Look 0 + +
Balance 0 + +
Weight 0 + + 0
Energy 0 +
Sum: 0 1- 1+ 1- 3+
Continue? No Yes No Yes

Table 2: Initial AEV Design Concept Scoring

Concept Scoring Reference Design 1 Design 2 Design 3 Design 4
Success Criteria Importance Rating Weighted Score Rating WeightedScore Rating Weighted Score Rating Weighted Score Rating Weighted Score
Cost 15% 3 0.45 4 0.6 4 0.6 2 0.3 2 0.3
Maintenance 15% 3 0.45 3 0.45 4 0.6 2 0.3 3 0.45
Efficiency 15% 2 0.3 4 0.6 4 0.6 2 0.3 2 0.3
Safety 10% 3 0.3 4 0.4 4 0.4 2 0.2 3 0.3
Design Look 5% 2 0.1 2 0.1 2 0.1 4 0.2 4 0.2
Balance 15% 3 0.45 2 0.3 2 0.3 3 0.45 4 0.6
Weight 5% 3 0.15 2 0.1 2 0.1 4 0.2 4 0.2
Energy 20% 3 0.6 2 0.4 2 0.4 4 0.8 4 0.8
Sum: 100% 2.8 2.95 3.1 2.75 3.15
Continue? NO YES NO YES

Takeaways

Important ideas that were achieved from lab 05 were having an objective approach to come up with a definitive solution to the design of the AEV. This evaluation can be used further into the EDP by coming back to what was seen as the most important for the design and then taking that to grow the project. Another key takeaway from lab 05 was the creative and critical thinking skills used to develop an AEV design. More has to be taken into account than just the design look or the speed of the AEV. A well rounded design must be created that does not have tunnel vision and ignores other important aspects to the project.

Situation

The task that will be completed next will be the testing of the certain designs of AEV. The two best designs will be tested to help mold the final AEV design. More specific features of the AEV will be focused upon. For example, Group H will look at battery testing, propeller configuration, and materials testing. To accomplish this plan, different batteries, propellers, and materials will be used to evaluate the effect that occurs on the AEV. This will be done in order to determine the best AEV design for the Smart Columbus project.

Upcoming Goals

Goals that have stemmed from lab 05 are creating the best AEV design with a focus on energy and efficiency. These two ideas are being emphasized because the main idea of the AEV design is for the Smart Columbus grant which is focused on innovating a safe, eco-friendly, and efficient transportation system inside the city.

Upcoming Schedule

To help complete the upcoming goals, certain tasks have been given to members of the group. Nan is very adept at coding, so as we determine what our AEV needs to do in order to complete its task, she will write the code to accomplish the challenges. Eli and Jack will take the challenge of the creative design of the AEV on and will adjust the design as the semester progresses. Snigdha is the main website developer and delegates work to the group as needed. All members of Group H share an equal amount of responsibility in all aspects of the EDP, but work has been distributed so that the group remains as efficient and productive as possible. Group meetings will occur at least once a week. Dates and times vary according to the schedule of all four members.