Weekend Meeting
Last Saturday (4 February 2012), we met once again to discuss design plans. After talking on the phone with Heidi and Michael, it was clear that they really wanted the lift to be able to reach the floor. Therefore, the design needed to be tweaked. After much consideration during this meeting, we came up with a new design. This design was inspired by the lifting system that large trucks use in their rear to lift large objects. With two supports and empty space in between them, a platform would be able to move in between them and reach floor level. The oven door would be able to fit between the platform and the ground supports, allowing the platform to span into the oven without adjusting the oven rack. We also believe that a winch or motor would be able to lift the platform up and down in combination with some sort of pulley system. Below is a SolidWorks image of the new design.
Tetra Society Visit
On Thursday (9 February 2012) we visited the Tetra Society workshop at Vancouver General Hospital to present our new idea to Ron and George. At first they seemed to not be very interested in the new idea, but after deeper explanation, they started to show great interest. They suggested that it would be best to build a mock-up model of our design and show it to Heidi to see her reaction. Using the measurements previously made, we were able to cut pieces of wood into reasonable dimensions and put together a rough mock-up model. The platform was made so that it can be easily adjusted to different levels while showing it to Heidi. A picture of the mock-up model is shown below.
Project Progress
Earlier today (10 February 2011) we brought the mock-up model to Heidi’s place and we were very happy with her reaction. Both her and Michael thought that this design could definitely work. This coming Monday, we have arranged a meeting at the metal workshop at UBC to discuss what exactly we need done and how they can help us.
This is all great news!
I’m curious about whether or not you will be modifying the oven. Originally you were planning to do this and it struck me as a good idea. Does the new design eliminate the need to modify the oven
More generally, (and given that CIVL 202 is a “technology and society” course), now that you are entering the final stages of the CSL project, I’m wondering what you think about the role that “relationship building” plays in achieving project success.
Congratulations on this impressive progress,
SN