Intro to Architectural and Mechanical Design

Miniature Train Design Challenge

Introduction

Design challenges provide opportunities to apply skills and knowledge in unique and creative ways. Designers are often asked to come up with solutions to problems that exist. Their supervisor or board of directors may give them a few constraints to adhere to and then ask the designers to solve the problem.

Designers are sometimes put together to form a team and asked to collaborate to create the solution. When you are a one-person design team, the task of effective communication is rather simple. However, what happens when you must communicate your ideas to others, or when the responsibility of a team’s solution falls on the shoulders of the entire team? This increases the level of responsibility significantly and requires the development of effective team working skills.

This project will provide you with the opportunity to work together in teams of two. The team will need to come up with a solution to a stated problem. The design process introduced and used in Unit 1 will be applied to this project.

Equipment

·  Engineering notebook

·  Isometric grid paper

·  Computer with 3D CAD solid modeling software

·  Decision matrix

Procedure

1.  Divide into teams under the direction of your teacher.

2.  Read the five design briefs below.

3.  Decide within the team on a design brief that you will complete.

4.  Use the design process to generate solutions to the problem.

5.  Use isometric grid paper to sketch ideas and at least three possible solutions.

6.  Create three possible solutions. Determine the final solution using a decision matrix.

7.  Create a CAD model and complete set of working drawings using specifications given by your teacher.

8.  As a team create a three-fold brochure marketing the solution to the design problem. Include dimensioned blueprints and exported pictures of your assembled Train. Brochures can be printed in color.

9.  3d print your model at .5 scale for presentation to the class. Remember you Train card should assemble so make sure to consider tolerances.

Train Car Design Brief

Client Company: / A Miniature Train Manufacturer
Target Consumer: / All Ages
Designer:
Problem Statement: / A miniature train manufacturer has asked your design team to create train cars that can be hooked to the train engine car. The train car must be the same relative scale as the engine car. The manufacturer has supplied you with the parts and assembly drawings for the engine car. They would also like to have you modify the engine car so it will be more appealing to children.
Design Statement: / Design and model a train car that can hook on the engine car created Model Miniature Train. Then remodel the Engine Car to match the theme used for you train car.
Constraints: / 1.  Must have a minimum of seven different parts once assembled.
2.  Must be the same relative scale as the engine car.
3.  Must be able to attach to the engine car.
4.  Engine Car theme needs to match the theme used in your train car.