Introduction

Here are a few of the projects I worked on during ME 102, (Introduction to Product Realization).

Laser Cut Box

Pretty self explanatory. The assignment was to create a non-rectangular laser cut box, without using adhesives or fasteners. I knew I wanted to incorporate kerf cuts into my design, and settled on this. I initially wanted to create a cylindrical shaped box, but decided that would make the friction fits too difficult, so settled on this design.

507 Movements #85 Replica (Partner)

This project was a partner project. Everyone was tasked with creating a replica of a mechanism found on the 507 movements website and we were assigned mechanism #85.

Ping Pong Ball Launcher (Group of 4)

The task

This project was for a group of four people. The task was to create a launcher that would shoot a ping pong ball into a target 8ft away, and incorporate a spring somewhere in the launching mechanism.

Initial ideas

We (and most other groups) initially tested a launcher using either a compression or extension spring as the method of propulsion to launch the ping pong ball. This idea worked, but resulted in an inconsistent shot.

Josh the GOAT

In a stroke of genius, one of our group members had the idea to replicate a golf swing in a pendulum-type launcher that would use gravity to power the launcher. We incorporated the spring into the reload mechanism, which our instructor approved of. Big shout out to Joshua for the idea, and for him spending several hours in the PRL coming up with a prototype to prove to the rest of our group that it would make a superior launcher. Without springs, our launcher was more consistent, and we wouldn’t have to worry about springs breaking or wearing during the final trial. Plus, the one spring we did use made for a very satisfying reload mechanism. We called it Happy Gilmore.