The Path to Engineering
My journey on the difficult road of engineering started like most with the love of motorsport, it has never been an easy journey but it has also been one that has pushed me beyond my prior thought capabilities.
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Here I have listed this journey with all its euphoric highs and lows in order to give you a better understanding of not only my expertise but also of my character.
Innovation - Driven Solutions
The approach adopted by myself and my colleagues really attempted to bring innovative designs to an already tried and tested design that varies slightly throughout the world.
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This is due to only having three members for the group project when the requirement was four, because of this shortcoming innovative solutions were required to circumnavigate the extra workload we had to pick up in order to complete the project adequately.
Data -Powered designs
As the iterations for the subassemblies changed they were intensely driven by data gathered through hand calculations on stress states. The data was then validated with the use of programming languages such as MATLAB or softwares such as AUTODESK.
Next Generation Technologies
Throughout the project period, research was conducted on the type of technologies and their relative techniques that would be best suited to fabricate certain components or sub assemblies. These techniques and technologies also extended to material treatments and surface finishes to ensure as many aspects of design were considered as possible.
ECSA Modelling report
An individually assigned report that was externally moderated by ECSA outlined the requirements for engineering students registered with the Modelling 334 module to complete in order to be registered as engineers at the end of their studies.
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The report required students to solve for the variables of a modelled system equation. The variables were to be solved using the knowledge acquired from the module in conjunction with video recordings of the modelled system in motion.
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I was awarded 76 percent for the report due to my accurate method implementation and analysation of gathered data.
Implementation of module knowledge
The approach I adopted made use of constant "sanity" checks and extensive planning. This resulted in aiding myself to perform to the best of my capabilities and reduce time mismanagement.
Data driven results
As the report progressed through its preliminary stages so did my understanding of the raw data gathered.
The data gathering and analyzation was a fundamental step in the report process as it was required to correctly model the system and solve for the required variables in question.
Software implementation
The software that was implemented in the gathering of raw data from video format was Tracker. This software was used in conjunction with MATLAB in order to verify results, render several graphs as well as solving the required variables in the modelled system equation.
In-line helical gearbox
A group project was given to students were a hilux gearbox had to be replaced by a new module to accomodate for a electrical motor retrofit.
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The project required students to research various designs, materials, fabrication techniques and many more in order to fully design a in-line gearbox from the ground up. The detailed reports and calculations required strenuous knowledge about machine design and materials as well as practical application to provision for maintenance and ease of design.
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The group of 4 performed well to achieve a respectable 67 percent that was 8 percent above class average.
Software implementation
The software that was implemented in the calculation of forces and stresses etc was MATLAB and SMATH.
The design of the actual system was done with AUTODESK INVENTOR of which I was the co-ordinator of the group.
Calculation driven results
With the work split into 4 sub-sections each subsection was headed by an individual of the group. The subsections would then interlink with calculations and designs.
Each stage would only be completed once all relative calculations were finished and supported the intial design and its requirements.
Practicality and functionality
The approach adopted by the group focussed on designing a gearbox that was simple to assemble and manufacture. We believed that to design a suitable gearbox it should meet the practical requirements and excel in all functional regards before any unique designs should be implemented or researched.
Mechatronics project
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Machine design
The project required prior machine design experience to be used in order to design multiple systems in CAD that would work effectively and without compounding error to allow for the system to operate completely autonomously once the user inputs have been provided
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TIA Portal coding
The system was controlled my logic blocks implemented in the TIA portal software. The blocks made use of Feedback control to mitigate compounding errors with devices resesting such as the faulhaber motor. The code was required to be controleld via a group designed UI that allow for the user to decide on which coins had to be sorted into which permanent holders
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Iterative design and building
The whole system was built and designed from the ground up with all members gaining valuable workshop experience by utilizing power tools and 3D printers.
PWM encoders and other devices were securely and neatly fixed to the system, which had a fixed surface area and volume capacity that may not be exceeded.
Milestones
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Vacational work experience to date
