Entry 17: Materials and Dimensions Planning

19 June 2012

By Kai Xiang (Destiny CKX)

Today, I had informed my father, an engineering expert, of the almost finalised design, and he decided to guide me along the prototype design. My father and I sat down and discussed seriously about the whole outlook of the prototype, I listened as he provided me with possible improvements to the prototype.

Being an expert, my father provided me with simple yet seemingly effective suggestions to improve the design of our prototype. Together, we confirmed and finalised the dimensions of the prototype, as well as thought of the materials to be used together. At last, there was an astonishing conclusion.

Despite our exhaustion, I managed to take in his suggestions and incoporate it into our prototype. Here are some changes:

The expandable base design has once again changed, but this time requires fewer materials and has a simple and firm design. Instead of using the sliding mechanism, which he said was difficult to build under the small amount of time we had, he suggested that we use a "screw and plate" method for the extension of our base.

Simply put, we would screw a hole into each of the planks (listed below are the planks), then to adjust the base to the desired length, we simply use a steel bar to secure the planks together and screw screws into the base and planks through the steel bar to ensure that the the length of the base is fixed. It was shockingly simple, yet practical and easy to create. Furthermore, it fit the theme of the expandable base well, thus we decided to go along with this design.

Here is how it looks:

If one wishes to adjust the base to the smallest length, then simply use the first (left-most) and last (right-most) plank and screw them together with the bar to fasten them.

He also suggested that to ensure the tray base can be supported by the supporting plank, steel brackets can be used to support it.

Here is how it looks:

The planks of the base will be made of plywood (economical and of decent quality) and be connected to each other via screws.

Hence, these are the small but essential changes we have made to the base.

Here are the dimensions we have set:

Finally, after many painstaking processes and meaningful experiences, we have a finalised design for the base! After reviewing all that the group has been through, it really provides a sense of elation that we have completed our objectives!

Credits:

Thanks to my father, who supported me and criticised the design, as well as suggesting improvements with his experiences in this field!