Month: January 2012

Weekend Meeting

Over the past weekend, we had a team meeting with our mentor where we discussed our initial thoughts towards the projects, and how to proceed with it. We created a detailed list of questions for our client which can be seen in the ‘Initial Concerns’ tab’. We did this so we could get a better idea of the needs and constraints, as well as an exact definition of what is expected of us. Another main topic covered in this meeting was the scheduling of the project. We created a Gantt Chart outlining what tasks need to be completed in an allocated time period. The Gantt Chart can be found in the ‘Schedule’ tab.

Research

During this week, we also researched Tetra Society and looked into projects they have done in the past. This allowed us to get a better feel for the type of projects that they have been involved with and what is expected from us. We found that they emphasize simple but effective solutions. We also looked into current solutions for similar design problems. One of the more relevant solutions that we found was the Sky Hook. A picture of this device can be seen below. We understand that alterations must be made to this design but the general concept of a pulley system is a viable possibility.

Project Progression

We have contacted Pat Tweedie at Tetra Society, and were redirected to Ron and George, the designated helper’s for this project. After contacting Ron, he answered the majority of our initial concerns. One of the key issues that was made clear was that our design does not need to support the lifting of a baby. Ron was also very helpful as he drew a rough sketch of the kitchen that our device would have to operate in. The kitchen has fairly small dimensions: about 9ft by 8ft. A picture of the rough sketch drawn by Ron can be seen below.

Lastly, we have arranged a meeting with Ron and George this Saturday (28 January 2012). At this meeting, we will discuss our initial design ideas, and see what ideas they had in mind. We will also answer any additional questions so that we can effectively move forward on this project.

Introductions

Nick Richardson is the team leader for the project. He will ensure the project progresses on schedule and meets the high standard of work that we expect from ourselves.

Fangqing Chen is the team secretary. During meetings, she will take team minutes and important notes, as well as create an action list that is to be completed.

Robert Lipski is the team blogger. He is responsible for keeping the blog organized and up to date. Each week, he will make sure that at least one blog post is posted on time.

Kamal Braich is in charge of collecting project documentation, either by e-mail or in person . He will keep a record of all documents, and present documents that he retrieves to the group.

Norman Richardson is client liaison. He will ensure that the client is kept up to date on the project progress.

Chen Cheng’s role in this project is instructor and mentor liaison person and he will be keeping in touch with them and update them with the progress of the project.

First design ideas

At the previous meeting (16 Jan 2012) we discussed a few design ideas that focused on a single task, to removing/placing items in an oven. The main problem is to come up with a design that can cope with the horizontal span that is required. A design that tries to do this via a single pivot point (like a crane) would struggle to do so, and result in a bulky design. During the meeting a discussed an idea that uses a platform to span the horizontal distance and introduces an additional pivot point by resting on the oven shelf (in this manner acting like a bridge). The item would then be removed from the oven by sliding it along the platform where after it can be lifted vertically. See Figure below.

Main concerns

At present our main concern focus around the user. Some of our concerns are what is are the users physical limitations, is it a permanent disability, does the user have access to special cooking equipment,  and what are the space limitations? These issues would influence the design. For instance will the device be electric or man powered and will the device be a permanent placement. More information is required in this regard.

Short term plans

In the coming week we intend to contact our client to find out more information about the project specifics.

Hi everyone,

I really want to come up with a creative introduction but my mind is not in its creative zone right now so I will go with simple this morning…

My name is Shalaleh and I am a third year mechanical engineering student and I am taking the mechatronics option. Currently I am doing my co-op term at a company called Cellula Robotics at New Westminister. They specialize is submarine engineering and excavation. I have been interested in robotics after I got involved with Thunderbird robotics in first year but undersea is a whole new world.

As you probably know I will be your mentor during this project and from my perspective I will explore the project with you and have conversations with you about the direction of the project, it’s implication, it’s practicality and etc. I am a very open person and enjoy discussions so please from now on do not hesitate to just start a conversation with me about anything that bugs your mind.

For your information, my involvement with CSL mostly started when I took the MECH 410E/P and got to complete a CSL project and an international service learning project in Mexico. I really enjoyed these two courses and learned quite a bit from it which is why I decided to be involved with more CSL projects. I am really excited that we are working with Tetra society since they have been really supportive of the CSL initiative at UBC and are great people to work with.

And finally, I am really sorry I could not make it to the meet and greet session. It was definitely one of the sessions I did not want to miss but I had to because of my co-op term. I will make sure that my co-op job does not hinder my involvedment with this project and for that I would really appreciate your collaberation.

My e-mail is shalaleh.rismani@gmail.com. Please cc me in the e-mails that you think  I should be cc’d in. I would also like to meet you guys as soon as possible. Let me know when would be a good time for you and we can arrange something (over e-mail).

Looking forward to working together on this project,

Shalaleh

You can chronicle your CSL team’s weekly accomplishments as you move toward the successful completion of your project.