MEMB123 Project (Semester 2 11/12)

Project Objective: Design and built a model of a hoist support that can hold a load of 10N using a minimum of materials (cost effectiveness). Project Goals: The goals for this project are for students to: Learn the design process. See practical applications for trigonometry, physics, and statics. Improve skills associated with collecting data and drawing meaningful conclusions. Cultivate leadership within the team. Recognize the necessity of good communication skills for engineers by working in a team, completing memos, reports, drawings, and presentations. Project Grading: The grade for the project is broken down into the following categories: Model, Written Report and Oral Presentation Project Constraints: Size: Each team needs to design and build a prototype hoist with the following specifications shown in Figure 1. Minimum load that the hoist can support is 10N at 170 mm on the cantilever beam. Loading hook must be provided at 170mm on the cantilever beam to support the weight during the presentation of the model.

Figure 1

Hoist Support 1

Materials: Teams are encouraged to use as much creativity as possible, but are limited to the following materials: tongue depressor sticks A metal hook to carry the load glue guns and glue sticks string/masking tape Efficiency ratio = test load/weight of model Design Process: This project helps to integrate your engineering understanding, knowledge and skills to solve a real life problem. Your hoist support design process should include the following steps: 1. Problem definition. As a team, carefully read the problem statement and put it into your own words. Identify the functional requirements of the hoist support. Identify the constraints. Ensure that everyone in the team shares the same vision of the problem before proceeding. Also ensure that any questions regarding the project specification are resolved with the instructor. 2. Analysis/synthesis/conceptualization. Perform the hoist support component strength tests and discuss the results with other members of the team. Conceptualize alternative designs with your team. Brainstorm, mind mapping, toss around ideas that range from the ridiculous to the doable. Remember that a key element of brainstorming is to not get in the mode of being critical towards ideas. This comes later. You should never hear "That won't work!" at this stage in the planning. Document at least three alternatives with sketches and descriptions. You will need to write about these in the final report.

3. Prototype design and testing. Evaluate the proposed (alternative) designs and select the best approach. Justify and then develop the final design. Decide on design details such as materials, construction method, tools and dimensions. This is probably the most critical stage in your design process. Prepare a drawing of your design. 4. Design delivery. Communicate your team's hoist support design by writing and presenting the final report as a group