Mousetrap Challenge - 2.4: Final iteration idea
Today the groups worked to 3D model designs, make a materials list,and generally decide upon an idea. My group did end up using the train idea and my concern stands that it will be unoriginal and too premade. As it stands, our materials list is comprised of a toy train set and copious amounts of WD-40 lubricant.
My group wants to modify premade train tracks in some manner yet to be thought of and perhaps add railings and a ceiling to prevent derailing. My role is to 3D model a platform for the mousetrap to sit upon and adjust for the mousetrap arm to impact at an optimal location somewhere near perpendicular to the train. The train itself is also a mystery to me at this moment. My group wants to make an original train but when pressed for more details were unable to produce any ideas. I fear that ultimately the group will eventually resort to using unmodified trains and rails or at best create exact copies using 3D printing to at least somewhat be justified in calling it original.
EDIT - Final Plan:
Our plan is to use toy train tracks with a fabricated train. The train will be 3D printed and will be shaped like a Japanese maglev. Tiny wooden dowels will then be inserted into 3D printed holes in the train as axles with wheels either made of wood, plastic, or metal. The tracks themselves will not be modified.
MODEL ONE LINK: My first idea for the launching system was to 3D print a sheath-like system in which the mousetrap will slide into. The sheath will have slits for the arm to move freely but a wide base for stability, less recoil, and assurance it will stay aligned with the mousetrap. Near the front of the mousetrap will be grooves in the sheath aligned with the tracks in position and height so our vehicle can slide onto the mousetrap itself for launching: essentially an extension of the tracks on the mousetrap itself.
MODEL TWO: An improvement on the aforementioned idea would be to add a ramp in the beginning like this. However, as demonstrated in the linked example, the pad would be quite long. So long in fact that our 3D printers are not even able to print it. To fix this, we are going to source a ramped track like this
to replace the part highlighted in blue on the model. Otherwise, if that cannot be accomplished the train will have to be shortened from the current ~10 cm the train designer plans.
My group wants to modify premade train tracks in some manner yet to be thought of and perhaps add railings and a ceiling to prevent derailing. My role is to 3D model a platform for the mousetrap to sit upon and adjust for the mousetrap arm to impact at an optimal location somewhere near perpendicular to the train. The train itself is also a mystery to me at this moment. My group wants to make an original train but when pressed for more details were unable to produce any ideas. I fear that ultimately the group will eventually resort to using unmodified trains and rails or at best create exact copies using 3D printing to at least somewhat be justified in calling it original.
EDIT - Final Plan:
Our plan is to use toy train tracks with a fabricated train. The train will be 3D printed and will be shaped like a Japanese maglev. Tiny wooden dowels will then be inserted into 3D printed holes in the train as axles with wheels either made of wood, plastic, or metal. The tracks themselves will not be modified.
MODEL ONE LINK: My first idea for the launching system was to 3D print a sheath-like system in which the mousetrap will slide into. The sheath will have slits for the arm to move freely but a wide base for stability, less recoil, and assurance it will stay aligned with the mousetrap. Near the front of the mousetrap will be grooves in the sheath aligned with the tracks in position and height so our vehicle can slide onto the mousetrap itself for launching: essentially an extension of the tracks on the mousetrap itself.
MODEL TWO: An improvement on the aforementioned idea would be to add a ramp in the beginning like this. However, as demonstrated in the linked example, the pad would be quite long. So long in fact that our 3D printers are not even able to print it. To fix this, we are going to source a ramped track like this
Thank you for providing more detail in your follow up comment, Jason. It concerns me that you are unsure of what your groups plans are. Having discussions with other members of your group, you are not the only one in that boat. It feels like, even though some progress was made in Friday's class, there are a lot of unanswered questions. I will refrain from giving you credit for the design aspect of the assignment until you are able to tell me exactly what the design will be. How will the ramp be made with pre-built wooden tracks? Where and how is the WD40 being applied, and why? What material are the axles for the train actually being built from? Why? Can you show me the train design? What, exactly, does your "sheath-like" system look like? These and many more questions still need to be addressed.
ReplyDeleteWhile many questions are left unanswered, Jason, you have improved the clarity of your description of what you do know about the design. Your concern for the lack of originality is well-founded in this case. Your groups original version of this design really didn't do much more than throw together a few pre-purchased parts to come up with a solution that, I'm predicting, would have been marginally effective. Having said this, often the ideas one comes up with, based on looking at the ideas of others or based on rather simple solutions can be quite inventive. You have, as a group, gone beyond the simplicity of this original design through addressing problems that are surfacing with the overly simplistic approach. I quite like your approach to mounting the mousetrap into the launching mechanism. You have addressed some key issues using an approach that nobody else in the class has used. I'm curious to see how this all works out.
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