Inventions & Innovations Unit #7

Mrs. Mattson

Carl Ben Eielson Middle SchoolETP 2006—Tanya MattsonThis material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0402616. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Unit #7Prototyping

Information for this presentation was taken from the CATTS curriculum Unit #7 and

Valley City State University Unit #7 readings, unless otherwise noted.

Technological Design

Is a distinctive process with a number of defining characteristics: It is purposeful It is based on certain requirements It is systematic It is iterative It is creativeThere are many possible solutions

Software

Software complexity adds unreliability, since the new features cannot always be tested adequately before release.

In the last 15 years alone, software defects have: Wrecked a European satellite launch ($500

million) Delayed the opening of the hugely expensive

Denver airport for a year Destroyed a NASA Mars mission Killed 4 marines in a helicopter crash Induced a U.S. Navy ship to destroy a civilian

airliner Shut down ambulance systems in London,

leading to as many as 30 deaths.(Charles Mann, 2002, p. 34)

The software industry provides an unusually clear example of why we may wish to reexamine our concept of a finished product because of the incredible disregard for the time and convenience of the customer.

Another reason is that product cycles have become so short that even customers who must stay up-to-date may miss several generations of a single product.

Design is a never ending process, interrupted by a decision to package or “shrink wrap” for a time, or “go to press,” or “fire up the line.”

During production, a design is “frozen” in time, but even then, minor improvements are possible and often essential.

What is a Prototype?

It refers to an unfinished design, an unrefined design, or a pre-production model.

It is a first physical form or service description of a new product, still in rough or tentative mode.

With regard to services, a prototype is simply the first full description of how the service will work, and comes from the systems design or development function.

A prototype is: “A working model used to test a design concept by making actual observations and necessary adjustment.”

As defined by the Standards for Technological Literacy document (2000) (p. 105)

Prototype and the Design Process

The first step in the design of anything is defining the problem and identifying the requirements

The most often repeated error is failing to pursue more than one design alternative

Prototypes of Complex Systems

With complex products, there may be component prototypes as well as one complete system prototype.

Individual subsystem prototypes are constructed separately.

This way, if one part needs serious modification, it can be changed without redesigning the overall system.

Categories of Prototypes

1. Mechanical Prototypes

2. Graphic Design Prototypes

3. Architectural Prototypes

4. Electronic Prototypes

5. Combination Prototypes

6. Rapid Prototyping

Mechanical Prototypes After a sketch is created, the sketches can

then be refined using a 3D modeling program and then shared with others by printing it.

Once this is done, the rest of the tools and materials used will vary.

Mechanical prototypes are sometimes of limited value unless combined with other systems.

Graphic Design Prototypes Includes posters, brochures, booklets & displays First, at least 3 design concepts must be

explored or sketched crudely with pencil or colored pencils.

Next a full-size or rough layout is produced, usually only in 1 color.

A finished layout is finally produced in color as accurately as possible for evaluation.

Architectural Prototypes

The real object is so large that the prototype must be a fraction of the finished size.

The term model or scale model may be appropriate

Homes, office buildings, apartments, etc.

Electronic Prototypes

Electronics are part of everything that we touch

A first generation prototype is usually constructed with a solderless breadboard.

Second generation prototypes are the printed circuit boards.

Combination Prototypes

Often you must combine several kinds of prototypes.

Example: Using Graphic, Electric and Mechanical together for 1 product.

Rapid Prototyping

Sometimes called 3D printing Using a machine, you can produce a physical 3-

dimensional part from a computer file called a .stl file.

.stl = Stereo Lithography It has been around several years, but has been

limited mainly by cost considerations Can be completed in only a few hours.

Standards Covered

2: Students will develop an understanding of the core concepts of technology 2.P: New products and systems can be developed to solve

problems or to help do things that could not be done without the help of technology.

2.Q: The development of technology is a human activity and is the result of individual or collective needs and the ability to be creative.

8: Students will develop an understanding of the attributes of design. 8.E: Design is a creative planning process that leads to useful

products and systems. 9: Students will develop an understanding of engineering design

9.H: Modeling, testing, evaluating and modifying are used to transform ideas into practical solutions.