Deliverable: Looks-like model
Challenge: Draw a bike right now. Try to draw it like you're looking at it from the side.
Today we started off our class period by presenting our prototype we made last class:
Our classmates pointed out potential stability problems, predicting that both sides would tip in towards the bike. They also thought that the bulkiness would be difficult for transportation, and we would need a way to hook the two pieces together for transport.
One thing we learned about our project today is that what we know doesn't always translate to what our audience knows. We thought it was clear that the the bike stand would support the bike brackets, this part right here on either sides:
We actually had to show everyone the actual bike in our lab to explain how the stand would work, which helped us realize the need for detailed communication. When we implement this new bike stand, we'll need to describe exactly how to use it, probably with pictures. Alex showed us Autodesk 123D- an app that lets you build 3D pictures, which we might explore when we start displaying our stand.
Challenge follow-up: Does your bike sketch look anything like the bike sketch above? Probably not. Our project has taught us how difficult bikes are to visualize and draw.
We talked with Machine Shop Larry and he said the same things as our classmates, as well as telling us our options for construction material. We decided to stick with steel over aluminium or tin to keep production cost down, especially since Amy already bought the material. He said that our plan to use angle iron and tubing was a good plan to follow. He suggested that we make a cardboard model of our design that was true to form- use cardboard to create psuedo-angle iron and tubing pieces and figure out exactly how we wanted the pieces welded.
We did a quick brainstorm again, and we came up with the following ideas hopefully to decrease bulkiness and increase foldiness:
Alex explored using a pyramid stand that could stack together like bed risers (top).
She also figured out all the ways that our current design could fold (bottom).
This design is very simple- the bottom two legs go under the wheel, and interlock with a pin for stability.
This design is similar, but has pieces of metal extending out away from the bike to enhance stability.
Keeping with the pyramid design, we expanded the previous two designs to have a triangle support bar on the outside of the bike stand.
As you can see, we're getting much better at drawing bikes and their components, although if a bike ever had to roll on the wheels I draw, it would probably crash and burn.
The three of us spent the remaining hour of class working on three different projects- Debbie worked on building the model of our current design with cardboard that accurately reflected angle iron and tubing metal. Alex explored ways we could stack the pieces. I worked on the "Two Big L's" design.
Here are pictures of the Two Big L cardboard model (not quite to scale):
You can't really see it, but the bottom posts slide out to be adjusted to different widths. We're still figuring out the adjustment mechanism, but we're thinking of either a) drilling holes at intervals and putting a pin to secure, or b) making a slit in one of the posts and then putting a screw through the slit and through the other post. You would loosen the screw to adjust the stand, and tighten the screw when you want it to stay still. This format would also let the stand be adjusted at any length, not just at intervals.
We need to have a working model out of cardboard by next Monday (11/11) so we're meeting this weekend. Hopefully we'll have pictures of our working model by Monday, a metal prototype by next Thursday!
Community partner:
We thought that our community partners in Nicaragua were using the bike stand that the EXTD120 class used last semester. That's not true at all. They're using a bike stand that permanently attaches to the bike, which relegates the bike solely to blending smoothies, not allowing riding. Amy told us that essentially any collapsible, removable bike stand will be an improvement. We asked Lyndsey, our contact person in Nica, to send us a picture of the bike stand, because even Amy doesn't know what they're using currently.
We were really happy to hear this news. We were confused when Lyndsey told us the bike stand was hard to carry and was really bulky, because we thought what we were looking at was relatively well-designed in both categories. Now that we know that she was talking about something completely different that probably is pretty bulky and hard to carry, and difficult for a single person to mount the bike on, we don't have to stress ourselves about drastically reducing the weight from the slim design we have in our classroom.
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