Automaton Toy
Overview
In order to demonstrate a firm grasp of Autodesk Inventor constraints and modeling techniques, an automaton toy was created. It used multiple parts for the motion and decoration. The toy was parametrically defined so that it could be scaled without issue.
Criteria
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Understand and utilize parametric design
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Understand and utilize the different types of Cams
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Use transitional constraints in order to use rotational motion with Cams
Constraints
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Design must include at least one crank/axle, one cam, and one figure
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The automaton frame must fit in a 100x100x150 mm footprint
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Material must be â…œ’’ thick
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Crank/axle should be ¼’’ diameter
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Follower no thinner than 3/16” diameter
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Cam should be no thinner than 6 mm
Final Design
The final design was two rabbits moving to and from a carrot. The rabbits are both on a cylinder cam which uses a ball joint to move an object side to side. The carrot is on a pear cam moving it up and down on a steady tempo. In order to add the facial features to the rabbits, multiple work plains and work points had to be used to map to the dynamic curves of the rabbit's body.
Dimensioning
All models for the toy were orthographically drawn. The rabbit drawing can be seen to the right. Multiple detailed views had to be used including a detailed view of a detailed view. Pattern dimensioning and custom sketches had to be used in the orthographic drawing in order to show all of the angles in the specific details of the rabbit.
Coffee Grinder Innovation
Overview
Since its release in 2004, the “Khaw-Fee” HG1B handheld coffee grinder has been found to produce grounds with a particle size of 1.5 mm. In a February 2022 United States survey, 85% of users believed that size of ground was too coarse for consumption.
Criteria
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Must grind coffee beans to a particle size of 0.75 mm or less
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Must be able to fully grind (no remaining beans) 5 tablespoons of coffee beans in under two minutes
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User must be able to remove the grounds from the output glass cylinder storage in under 30 seconds
Constraints
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Must fit a 30 cm by 30 cm by 30 cm footprint when fully assembled
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Cost of new product must not exceed an additional 10% of the price of the original product
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Must be completed by April 7, 2022
Engineering Design Process
This project utilized the engineering design process in order to make the final product the best it could possibly be in the time allotted. The first step was defining the problem of the coffee beans being too large. Next, research was conducted in order to better determine the root causes of the problem. This research pin pointed the grinder core as the main point of improvement. A solution was created with the grinder having a higher ridge density for better grinding. Due to time constraints, there was not an ability to make and test a physical prototype. The solution in theory would work but it would need more iterations.
Final Design
The design was improved by increasing the density of the blades inside of the grinder. This will allow for the beans to be grinded into smaller and more digestible pieces. This solution will not be massively cost prohibitive because it is only a small change and the majority of parts will not be changed.
Dimensioning Expanded View
When the coffee pot is fully modelled in all of its pieces, it is extremely hard to see where each piece is and how they fit together. An expanded view is used to show all of the pieces on their own in clear space but also show where each piece connects through the lines. Bubbles are used to label each piece and to confirm if any pieces are a duplicate.
