Design build 343

							                                            MAE343

                             Team design, build and test project

Introduction
In this project you will be given a design specification to design, build and test a structure.

Learning outcomes
By the end of the project you should have:
     gained further experience of design and using ProE/Mechanica;
     appreciated the need for designs to be made within a specified cost;
     gained skills in making a model of your design;
     gained experience of testing your model to destruction.

Design specification
You are required to design and build a structure that has the following:
 a maximum length of between 500 and 550 mm;
 a maximum width of between 140-150 mm;
 a maximum height of between 140-150 mm.

The structure must be made using Poplar wood. The wood must be fixed together using self
tapping wood screws and screws and nuts. A minimum of four screws & nuts must be used.
All materials will be supplied free. However, your design must not cost more than $5.00.
Table 1 shows the materials available and the cost.

                       Table 1. Available materials and cost.
         Material                    Dimensions                                    Cost
    Poplar wood        600 mm  10 mm  10 mm                              $0.20
    Screw self tapping No 6 (Diameter 3.5 mm, length 19.1 mm)              $0.05
    wood screw
    Screw & nut        M4 thread, screw length 25 mm                       $0.10

Design
As a group you should produce a design for the structure. Using ProE/Mechanica, your team
should produce an assembly drawing (General Arrangement), showing your assembled
design. You are also required to produce a list of materials, from the above table, that you
require to build your model, and the total cost.

Hand-in
The design and parts list should be submitted to …...

Build
In your teams you have one week to build your design. On the Monday of your assigned
build week you should meet in Room …... You should then build your structure, as specified
on the assembly drawing. Final models that differ from the assembly drawing will lose
marks.

Testing
All the models will be subjected to mechanical testing to destruction. The testing will involve
subjecting the structures to a three-point bend test, as shown in Figure 1. Testing will take
place on …... You will be informed about the times for testing later.
                              Figure 1. Mechanical testing rig.

Assessment
The assessment will be based on the following:
     submission of the assembly drawing;
     submission of a materials list with total cost;
     build quality and how close the model resembles the assembly drawing;
     the maximum force the model can withstand during mechanical testing.
     a final report including your modelling results and discussion of the actual performance
      relative to the model