CAD Model Update

So far, I've completed the Passenger Base (with a lot of help!) and I'm working on the Passenger Section of the Automoblox. For me, making the star and constraining the shapes was challenging for me. The easiest part for me was working with the dimensions and placing objects in their correct spots. I still want to know how to create irregular shapes (like the star) properly. Also, I wasn't able to find what the shell thickness is or how to adjust it.

The Passenger Base

The Passenger Section (in progress)

Shelter: Geometric Constraints

To maximize the strength of our model shelter, Austin and I used equilateral triangles and squares, resulting in 60 and 90 degree angles in our structure. After brainstorming a few ideas, we chose a triangular prism shape for our shelter. Our total surface area was 36.9 square inches; this measurement would be scaled up depending on the requirements of the real shelter. We estimated that the shelter, when scaled, will hold about 4 people, presumably in a disaster situation.

The shelter is designed to stay intact, not necessarily to bear weight. We 'tested' our model by throwing it around outside, and it was basically undamaged despite all the abuse. Later, as we took apart our model, we found that the inner layer could support a textbook.

We considered "form follows function" in our shelter in that our first priority was to make a sturdy model. We didn't worry too much about the aesthetics.

Inventor Question

I wanted to know what constraints do on Inventor and how to use them. From the Autodesk website, I found that constraints prevent objects from changing as you add or move parts. I also found a tutorial that explains how to use constraints:
https://sites.google.com/a/eng.ucsd.edu/mae3/cad/inventor-animation-tutorial/inventor-constraints

There are two main categories of constraints -- assembly and motion. Assembly is used for joining pieces together, and within it there are 4 types of constraints:

• Mate: attach flat surfaces
• Angle: attach surfaces at an angle
• Tangent: attach a round surface to a flat or round surface
• Insert: put a round object into another round object

The motion constraints are more complicated and are only used for moving parts.

Form Follows Function: Tissue Box

For this project, I decided to revise a really simple object - the tissue box. One problem I have is that tissues get stuck at the bottom and can't reach up to the top. Then you're forced to reach into the box and spread germs all over it.

My new design is a tissue box that dispenses from the bottom through a slot in the side. This way, the next tissue is always ready and you never have to reach in. Also, I designed a clear slot on the side of the box so that you can see how many tissues you have left.

To continue improving this design, I would make the box refillable in order to minimize waste. Also, I would like to design tissues made from recycled paper.

Puzzle Cube Reflection

The puzzle cube project was a lot of fun. I enjoyed designing, drawing, and building my pieces and I loved watching others try and solve it. It's important to model an idea before making a final prototype so that you can find any mistakes or changes that need to be made.

I really liked the design of my cube. I think it was challenging enough to make people think but not so hard that nobody could solve it. One thing I would change, though, is the actual construction of my cube. One of the pieces is slightly crooked and it doesn't fit in well with the rest.