CAD/ CAM Skills
My CAD skills and understanding have improved hugely since this project began. I have become competent in ProEngineer, CorelDraw and other associated CADCAM packages.
Other
The notion that having a good relationship with your technician is important has been reinforced during this project. I have listened to advice from some experienced technicians which has helped in the process and finish of the final product.
Time management
I dedicated too much time to the construction of the speaker without paying enough attention to the blog. If there was a scheme of marking then I didn't see it!
Overall
I enjoyed this project but have realised rather late that I need to be more open to new techniques for recording my thought processes and progress, i.e. blogging.
Friday 25 February 2011
Final Evaluation
I have to make some changes to my CNC'd MDF layers.
The MDF was a bit too heavy at the back end and the speaker didn't look that dynamic so to add a bit more weight at the front of the 'tyre', I drilled out some additional holes and added some steel weights which I manufactured on a centre lathe. I think this addition helped the speaker look more interesting and added an element of motion.
I thought about adding LED's within the light capturing layers so that it would glow when turned on, but after testing discovered that the glow effect was minimal. I should have used bulbs instead which would have given off more light and been more effective.
I spec'd the magnets from an online catalogue and factored their size into my design btu unfortunately they were out of stock when I went to buy them. I had to buy slightly oversized magnets which didn't fit properly and the fix was so time-consuming I didn't use them in the end. Fortunately the covers were suitably sized and fitted snugly within their enclosure.
The MDF was a bit too heavy at the back end and the speaker didn't look that dynamic so to add a bit more weight at the front of the 'tyre', I drilled out some additional holes and added some steel weights which I manufactured on a centre lathe. I think this addition helped the speaker look more interesting and added an element of motion.
I thought about adding LED's within the light capturing layers so that it would glow when turned on, but after testing discovered that the glow effect was minimal. I should have used bulbs instead which would have given off more light and been more effective.
I spec'd the magnets from an online catalogue and factored their size into my design btu unfortunately they were out of stock when I went to buy them. I had to buy slightly oversized magnets which didn't fit properly and the fix was so time-consuming I didn't use them in the end. Fortunately the covers were suitably sized and fitted snugly within their enclosure.
Evaluation (Pre-build)
I have chosen to make a speaker by layering CNC'd MDFwith laser cut acrylic because of its simplicity in the making process. There will be no requirement to re-orientate the MDF accurately, e.g. for shelling. The acrylic can be made using the original shapes used in the MDF layers.
I will include access to the battery and circuit via magnetised covers (small magnets glued to inside of speaker facia). The magnets will be attracted to bolts which will be screwed onto by two threads (M6) which hold all the layers together.
Materials: MDF (cheap, solid, easily shaped and finished), neon (light gathering) acrylic, stainless steel threads and bolts.
I will include access to the battery and circuit via magnetised covers (small magnets glued to inside of speaker facia). The magnets will be attracted to bolts which will be screwed onto by two threads (M6) which hold all the layers together.
Materials: MDF (cheap, solid, easily shaped and finished), neon (light gathering) acrylic, stainless steel threads and bolts.
Research & Investigation
Tron Legacy
Blurb: The son of a virtual world designer goes looking for his father and ends up inside the digital world that his father designed. He meets his father's creation turned bad and a unique ally who was born inside the digital domain of The Grid.
Style: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, thriller.
Audience: Certificated as PG, people who watched the original film.
Themes: Futuristic, Digital.
Colourway: White, Black, Neon
The light cycle was a major part of the original Tron and the sequel. I chose to base my speaker shape on the front wheel of the white light cycle which appeared in both films.
Blurb: The son of a virtual world designer goes looking for his father and ends up inside the digital world that his father designed. He meets his father's creation turned bad and a unique ally who was born inside the digital domain of The Grid.
Style: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, thriller.
Audience: Certificated as PG, people who watched the original film.
Themes: Futuristic, Digital.
Colourway: White, Black, Neon
The light cycle was a major part of the original Tron and the sequel. I chose to base my speaker shape on the front wheel of the white light cycle which appeared in both films.
Specification
Based on my research, I have chosen the following specifications for the speaker...
Size: The speaker should be able to situated on a table top or desk.
Function: The speaker must have a good quality sound
Appearance: clean, fluid lines and use films key colours: white or black and neon.
Storage: Not considered.
Cost: As this is a promotional item, the cost should be <£20 (?)
Saftey: The speaker materials must be non-toxic and safe to handle.
Environment: The speaker must be able to function in all light levels.
Materials: The speaker must be solid but cheap to manufacture.
Ergonomics: The speaker must be smooth and sleek to reflect the film themes.
Obvious specifications:
Size: The speaker should be able to situated on a table top or desk.
Function: The speaker must have a good quality sound
Appearance: clean, fluid lines and use films key colours: white or black and neon.
Storage: Not considered.
Cost: As this is a promotional item, the cost should be <£20 (?)
Saftey: The speaker materials must be non-toxic and safe to handle.
Environment: The speaker must be able to function in all light levels.
Materials: The speaker must be solid but cheap to manufacture.
Ergonomics: The speaker must be smooth and sleek to reflect the film themes.
Obvious specifications:
- hold 3 AA batteries and casing.
- house the circuit
- house speaker.
