Brief

The new specifications for short courses in GCSE Design and Technology focus strongly on the processes of designing and making. They allow students to build on the skills and knowledge that they acquired following the KS3 Design and Technology strategy by designing and making a small scale, quality product. ‘Candidates are required to produce a prototype product that can be marketed. The underlying influence on the project should be that the product will be the first of a batch of 50, realised in school/college with the facilities that are available. The candidate will realise the first prototype of this product. The evidence to be submitted for assessment must include a 3 dimensional product with a concise portfolio (including evidence of modelling) and/or appropriate ICT evidence.’
Assignment:
‘MP3 players are very popular and are ideally suited for individual listening. Sometimes however it is useful to amplify sound so that the device can be listened to without the restriction of headphones or a small group of people can listen to it together.’ The above is a typical context taken from a GCSE Short Course specification.
The following requirement is typical:

Your task is to design and manufacture a prototype product in response to this context that incorporates the given amplifier circuit. CAD/CAM is to be used extensively in the development of your prototype. This will be a corporate 'freebie' used to promote one of the following new ventures:  an energy sports drink  the movie launch of Tron Legacy - a sequel to Tron made in 1982

 a high speed commuter rail network  a web based information service for the 2012 Olympics

Final outcome

Critical Evaluation

Designing

I chose the theme energy drinks so I could look at ergonomics and take form and shape into consideration. I kept my ideas fairly simple as I struggled to use pro/engineer. I think that a more complicated design would have been more aesthetically successful but taking into consideration my CAD skills I am pleased with my final design. If I had more time I would have used the rapid prototype machine to create an intricate speaker grill as the CNC couldn’t cut out my original design I used coral draw to create a circular pattern and drilled my speaker holes instead.

CAM

I decided I wanted to create a speaker using the CNC router as I have had no previous experience on the machine. Although I encountered a few set backs: the CNC wouldn’t drill my speaker grill slots and for some reason on my first attempt it drilled through a side of my design, I think that the CNC was definitely the best choice and I am really please with the final result.

I used the laser cutter to build up a base in acrylic. I sliced up my shape and built it up. Unfortunately, as I hadn't made a model first in card and was rushing to get my speaker finished I glued them the wrong way. Although I made another mistake when I went back and changed my design I added an inner rim to the base so it now slots on and I am able to open and close my speaker to change the battery which I wouldn’t have been able to do previously as I hadn't worked anything out in the designing stages.

CAD

When I started the SKE I had very little CAM knowledge and was totally incapable of using pro/engineer. Although I still struggle with the programme I will continue to experiment and use pro/engineer as I have enjoyed this project and I am pleased with the overall outcome. I would have liked to have learnt more but given the time scale and my lack of knowledge I appreciate why I haven't.

CAD

Design Development

Initial Ideas

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