Weekly Reports
September 9, 2013:
Current status of project: We have met with our client, James Kugler, and discussed the overall purpose and goal of our project. We were introduced to the application, Terrain Tracker, and became familiar with the functionality of it. Based on the application, we recognized the need to engineer wheelchair accessories that make using personal technology easier while on the go. We hope to create an iPad mount that is easy to use for someone with limited finger mobility, yet secure enough to safely hold an iPad and prevent theft. We also hope to engineer a universal mount that can be attached to any kind of wheelchair. In addition, we would like to create a stylus for users with limited finger mobility. So far, we have observed a number of wheelchairs in Professor Klaesner’s lab. We have taken pictures of both manual and power chairs.
Work planned for next week: This week, we plan on doing more research on what kind of wheelchair iPad mounts exist. From there we can determine the elements we hope to improve in our design. Also, we plan on doing more research on wheelchairs in general to understand how a customer would want an iPad mount to function.
September 16, 2013:
Current status of project: We are still in the beginning stages of performing research. We have created a Google Doc to communicate easily when we are not in the same place. This will also make compiling our research a lot easier.
Work planned for next week: This week we plan on meeting a few times to research existing products and other ideas. We plan to research reviews and complaints for existing products. From this we can determine the qualities of our design that will separate it from what is already on the market. We also plan on getting access to a 3D printer.
September 23, 2013:
Current status of project: We met this week to continue researching and compiling background information about wheelchairs and iPad mounts. Jake collected information to help us determine specific design requirements. He found the measurements of iPads, the range of widths of doorways and researched different materials that could be used for our mounting system. Sam searched for patents for iPad mounting systems in general. Jennifer researched and gathered information about the existing wheelchair iPad mounting systems that are on the market.
Work planned for next week: For this upcoming week, we plan on finding more patents and dive into the calculations and design specifications for our design based on the size of doorways, iPads and general measurements of different wheelchairs. We also plan on finalizing our meeting schedule and division of labor. We will also begin working on compiling all of our research and calculations in order to start writing report 1.
September 30, 2013:
Current status of project: Currently, we have completed preliminary research and calculations. We have compiled all of our background research, research on existing solutions and patent searches, preliminary calculations, need and scope into the preliminary paper. Sam has prepared slides for the preliminary presentation.
Work planned for next week: For the next week, we will focus on creating the webpage and completing the DesignSafe assignment. We also plan on meeting with our client, James, to discuss budget and preliminary designs.
October 7, 2013:
Current status of project: We have designed a website for our project. We have completed preliminary research and are ready to dive into preliminary prototypes.
Work planned for next week: We plan on meeting with our client and beginning CAD designs. By the following week, we hope to have a few designs ready to be printed on a 3D printer and tested. We also plan on working on the DesignSafe report.
October 14, 2013:
Current status of project: We have gone to stores like Home Depot and Guitar Center to look at possible components for our design that exist. We have found a variety of hinges, a gooseneck, springs, and other components. We have also found more inspiration for our design based on microphone and music stands.
Work planned for next week: We plan on making CAD designs based on the ideas we have for various attachment locations. These locations include the back bar, bar under the seat, axle, hub of the wheel, and caster structure.
October 21, 2013:
Current status of project: We have sketched a few design alternatives based upon the point of attachment. We have decided to separate the designs into categories - over the shoulder, from back bar, from side bars, and under the seat. We have also explored the possibility of having designs attach to the body, instead of the wheelchair.
Work planned for next week: For the next week, we plan on generating images for each of these design alternatives. We will also establish the qualities we will address in our Pugh Charts to determine which design is the best. We will work to complete our progress report.
October 28, 2013:
Current status of project: We have completed the majority of our progress reports (written and presentation). We have selected the best design based on the analysis performed for the report.
Work planned for next week: After giving our presentation and completing our progress report, we plan on spending time getting comfortable with Sketchup. If time allows, we will also search for specific parts that we could use and begin working on a prototype.
November 4, 2013:
Current status of project: We have completed the progress report of our project. We have selected a best design and plan to move forward with prototyping.
Work planned for next week: We will meet to discuss communication with manufacturers and a detailed timeline of what needs to happen before we leave town for Thanksgiving break. We will work on mastering Sketchup to create 3D sketches of our design.
November 11, 2013:
Current status of project: We have begun working with Sketchup and finalizing the final design.
Work planned for next week: We will be calling manufacturers and researching specific parts for our design. We will also finalize the design requirements and specifications for our tablet mounting system.
Current status of project: We have met with our client, James Kugler, and discussed the overall purpose and goal of our project. We were introduced to the application, Terrain Tracker, and became familiar with the functionality of it. Based on the application, we recognized the need to engineer wheelchair accessories that make using personal technology easier while on the go. We hope to create an iPad mount that is easy to use for someone with limited finger mobility, yet secure enough to safely hold an iPad and prevent theft. We also hope to engineer a universal mount that can be attached to any kind of wheelchair. In addition, we would like to create a stylus for users with limited finger mobility. So far, we have observed a number of wheelchairs in Professor Klaesner’s lab. We have taken pictures of both manual and power chairs.
Work planned for next week: This week, we plan on doing more research on what kind of wheelchair iPad mounts exist. From there we can determine the elements we hope to improve in our design. Also, we plan on doing more research on wheelchairs in general to understand how a customer would want an iPad mount to function.
September 16, 2013:
Current status of project: We are still in the beginning stages of performing research. We have created a Google Doc to communicate easily when we are not in the same place. This will also make compiling our research a lot easier.
Work planned for next week: This week we plan on meeting a few times to research existing products and other ideas. We plan to research reviews and complaints for existing products. From this we can determine the qualities of our design that will separate it from what is already on the market. We also plan on getting access to a 3D printer.
September 23, 2013:
Current status of project: We met this week to continue researching and compiling background information about wheelchairs and iPad mounts. Jake collected information to help us determine specific design requirements. He found the measurements of iPads, the range of widths of doorways and researched different materials that could be used for our mounting system. Sam searched for patents for iPad mounting systems in general. Jennifer researched and gathered information about the existing wheelchair iPad mounting systems that are on the market.
Work planned for next week: For this upcoming week, we plan on finding more patents and dive into the calculations and design specifications for our design based on the size of doorways, iPads and general measurements of different wheelchairs. We also plan on finalizing our meeting schedule and division of labor. We will also begin working on compiling all of our research and calculations in order to start writing report 1.
September 30, 2013:
Current status of project: Currently, we have completed preliminary research and calculations. We have compiled all of our background research, research on existing solutions and patent searches, preliminary calculations, need and scope into the preliminary paper. Sam has prepared slides for the preliminary presentation.
Work planned for next week: For the next week, we will focus on creating the webpage and completing the DesignSafe assignment. We also plan on meeting with our client, James, to discuss budget and preliminary designs.
October 7, 2013:
Current status of project: We have designed a website for our project. We have completed preliminary research and are ready to dive into preliminary prototypes.
Work planned for next week: We plan on meeting with our client and beginning CAD designs. By the following week, we hope to have a few designs ready to be printed on a 3D printer and tested. We also plan on working on the DesignSafe report.
October 14, 2013:
Current status of project: We have gone to stores like Home Depot and Guitar Center to look at possible components for our design that exist. We have found a variety of hinges, a gooseneck, springs, and other components. We have also found more inspiration for our design based on microphone and music stands.
Work planned for next week: We plan on making CAD designs based on the ideas we have for various attachment locations. These locations include the back bar, bar under the seat, axle, hub of the wheel, and caster structure.
October 21, 2013:
Current status of project: We have sketched a few design alternatives based upon the point of attachment. We have decided to separate the designs into categories - over the shoulder, from back bar, from side bars, and under the seat. We have also explored the possibility of having designs attach to the body, instead of the wheelchair.
Work planned for next week: For the next week, we plan on generating images for each of these design alternatives. We will also establish the qualities we will address in our Pugh Charts to determine which design is the best. We will work to complete our progress report.
October 28, 2013:
Current status of project: We have completed the majority of our progress reports (written and presentation). We have selected the best design based on the analysis performed for the report.
Work planned for next week: After giving our presentation and completing our progress report, we plan on spending time getting comfortable with Sketchup. If time allows, we will also search for specific parts that we could use and begin working on a prototype.
November 4, 2013:
Current status of project: We have completed the progress report of our project. We have selected a best design and plan to move forward with prototyping.
Work planned for next week: We will meet to discuss communication with manufacturers and a detailed timeline of what needs to happen before we leave town for Thanksgiving break. We will work on mastering Sketchup to create 3D sketches of our design.
November 11, 2013:
Current status of project: We have begun working with Sketchup and finalizing the final design.
Work planned for next week: We will be calling manufacturers and researching specific parts for our design. We will also finalize the design requirements and specifications for our tablet mounting system.