Course 1 GNEG 1103 Introduction to Engineering Spring 2015 Assignment Team Design Project Selected Topic Electric Boat Team Members Alex Bonin Mario Diaz Instructor Dr. A. Stratigakis
2 Abstract As a team we have decided to create a electric powered boat. Originally we wanted to create a solar powered boat, however we ran into some difficulties and that persuaded us to change to a battery operated design. The idea for this project was to create an easy D.I.Y. project for people who may or may not be very familiar with how electrical circuits work, and as a fun way to learn. We plan on having all the parts in a kit that could be purchased, similar to some of the kits you could buy at radio shack, with a built in instruction manual on how to household assemble the circuit. The actual framework of the boat would consist of two or more blocks of balsa wood which could be easily customized.
3 Table of Contents Title Page 1 Abstract 2 Introduction 4 Requirements and Constraints 4 Basic Features 4 Engineering Design Method 6 Identify Constraints and Criteria for Success 7 Feasibility Study 7 Potential Solutions 8 Preliminary Design 8 Analyze Potential Solutions 8 Detail Design 9 Analyze Potential Solutions 9 Results and Conclusions 10 Appendix A Evaluation Matrices 10 Appendix B Cost Structure 11 Appendix C Project Pictures 12
4 Introduction The goal of the project is to create a low cost product that requires little to no manufacturing. The product will allow people to create an electric boat using a basic design with no past experience. Our main targeted consumers are schools with science fairs who need ideas for projects involving electric circuits. Requirements and Constraints It needs to be easy and simple to assemble It needs to be able to float It needs to be waterproofed It must have a working circuit It needs to be relatively inexpensive And it needs to be able to move on its own without assistance Features Light weight Small Easy to use Easy to make Inexpensive Good learning
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6 Engineering Design Method Deciding the Project topic We started out looking at complex designs for our project ranging from small RC vehicles to wirelessly transmitting electricity by using magnets. Needless to say, we ended up thinking of a simplier project. We decided to do a solar powered boat. This would provide a cheap, inexpensive way to experiment with electric circuits in a way that makes it fun to learn about them. However, once we obtained the parts and began testing them to check to see if they work. As it turned out, kthe solar panel did not provide enough power to turn on the electric motor. We consequently switched to a battery powered design. Assemble Design Team The formation of the team consists of Alex Bonin and Mario Diaz. Alex Bonin- Director/Design/Troubleshooter Mario Diaz- Visionary/Administrator
7 Identify Constraints and Criteria for Success The constraints and criteria for this project: Time- The project had to be completed by the week of the 25 of April. Performance- The project must be able to move on its on while floating in water and retain its stability. Ease of Assembly- The project needs to be so easy to construct that even a cave man could do it. Cost- The project needs to be under $100. Search for Solutions In the beginning of the process of our design, we kept on debating on how the boat will look and how it would run. The electric system that intrigue us the most was using a solar panel to be able to power the motor. We also considered using batteries to power the boat, but we decided that the solar panel was the best option. Feasibility Study In the first phase of planning, we began to eliminate that design that was the most complicated to have done in the time frame that we were given. We only had two designs. It was to use the 3D printer and plasti-glass to create the frame of the boat. Using the 3D printer would have taken to much time, and would have
been harder for the team to work on it together. The other design that we thought to use was balsa wood. It would be easier to be able to give it the shape that we want and also its very light. It would also would be less time consuming. Potential Solutions Balsa wood shaped as a cargo ship Balsa wood shaped as a speed boat Balsa wood shaped as an air boat Preliminary Design The preliminary design involved us creating the basic layout of would would be our final product. The first step was creating a hydro dynamic balsa wood design that would create a stable and mobile platform for our what would be a built in electrical system. We also decided to go with the battery operated design, and we coordinated with Lee from the EMPACTS lab to create a decent battery compartment design that would be build into our frame. Anaylzing Potential Solutions We had three solutions. The first one being the cargo ship. Whilst this was the most simple design and required the least amount of modifications to be made to it, it also happened to be the least effective and had the lowest performance value of all the designs. The speed boat design had the highest performance value, but 8
overall, the actual time it would take and skill it would take to create such a design would not fit into our time frame, taking into account that mistakes would be made. The airboat design was by far the best design. However we decided to create our own design that incorporated elements from both the speed boat design and the airboat design. Creating a balance between power, performance, and easy construction. Detailed Design In this phase we created our boat. The actual design involved created a framework that was shaped like a diamond. This would entail that the rear end of the boat would create less drag, because of it being shaped like a triangle. This would also mean that the front of the boat would have a cutting effect, it would cut through the water because it was shaped like the tip of a knife. This also means that the boat could move faster with less power. For the motor we placed it in such a way as so that it would be at an angle. Slightly pointed downwards so that not only would it push on all of the air, but it would also push on the water, this creates more thrust then it would if it were just pushing on the air. We then created the battery compartment using a design given to us from the EMPACTS lab, which involves using regular alluminum foil to create a makeshift battery compartment in of which was dug out from the wood. 9
Results and Conclusions 10 The result of all this designing was positive. Even though there were things that could be improved, we met all of our goals. The boat was cheap and fairly affordable to create. The design was very simple, and not very complex. The boat was stable and the motor generated enough thrust so that the boat could move on its own. Evaluation Matrices Poor=1 10=Good Frame Battery Compartment Motor Ease of construction 10 6 10 Time 10 5 10 Performance 10 8 10 Total Score 30 19 30 Overall 79 Costs Our materials consisted of Balsa wood-$20, Motor-$5, Switches-$5, Wiring- FREE, Aluminum foil- FREE, Duct tape-free.
11 Project Pictures
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