Self evaluation

 

For the main project I worked on CAD modelling, taking the stapler apart and putting it back together. I also greatly contributed to the redesigning of the stapler by finding ways to combine parts together while also keeping the functionality of the stapler the same. I also helped with a bit of everything where needed or worked with other team members to completely each question. I also brought snacks for the team every week to make sure they stayed happy and healthy.

 

Throughout the course I believe I effectively managed my time to complete all the tasks I was set although I found it very difficult answering some of the mini project question. This led to me spending a lot of time on simple questions that could have been done a lot quicker. Improving my ability to research questions online would greatly help me in the future when completing similar tasks.

 

What I learned in the course

 

Overall I believe I have learnt alot from this course, as I did not know much about any of the main subject areas we looked at this semester. In each subject area I learnt more about the different  sections pertaining to them and their advantages and disadvantages when using them. I found the 2^k factorial design and design for assembly the most interesting topics covered as it showed how to effectively test and understand how different factors can affect a products capability or a materials properties and how products can be improved to be more efficient by using less parts.

 

Course highlights  and challenges

 

The course highlights for me was the main project, as it was a fun and interesting challenge to work in a group to improve upon a chosen product by taking it apart, analysing it and creating a new and improved prototype. I also greatly enjoyed the labs where we could not only see different manufacturing processes in action but also have the option to create our own designs and then watch them be made using the same manufacturing processes we learnt about. The main thing I found challenging was completing the mini project reports as some questions could be hard to research due to the amount (or lack) of information there could be on the internet to effectively answer the question.

 

Knowledge acquired applied in real life                         

 

From what I learned in class, I now understand the importance for the design of manufacturability when creating new products to ensure the creation of the most efficient and effective design for a product. Due to this, now when I find an interesting object and wonder how it was made or why it was made for that reason, I can have a better idea behind the answers to these questions.

-Pierre