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Engineering competition

yh125d

yh125d

Diamond Member
I'm gonna be competing in an Engimeering competition in early May. Our objective is to invent a product or improve upon an existing design. The problem is, me and my team are having trouble thinking of viable ideas. Anyone have some suggestions? It could range from an improved spatula to a super-efficient vehicle. No idea is a dumb idea. TIA
 
If you cant think of anything unique or cutting-edge like then I suggest you all list your hobbies and find one or two things from or related to that so you have a good knowledge base to build from. Also if the item relates to a couple of people's hobby, they are likely to be more enthusiastic about the projcect and wont just go through the motions
 
Originally posted by: yh125d
I'm gonna be competing in an Engimeering competition in early May. Our objective is to invent a product or improve upon an existing design. The problem is, me and my team are having trouble thinking of viable ideas. Anyone have some suggestions? It could range from an improved spatula to a super-efficient vehicle. No idea is a dumb idea. TIA
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a household device which can prevent flatness or can re-carbonate a 2 litre of pop.


 
Build a robot, attach to it a machinegun. Have it walk around while firing blanks. Rig with a sensor net and call it home protection walker or something.

Even if you don't win the prize, you would get the maximum eyeballs, something very important to future employers while advertising your skills.
 

Since somebody mentioned "kitchen", I started thinking about stove tops. Are there any out there with built-in temperture control? If not, I'd think that would be an improvement. What I have in mind is a frying pan/pot that incorporates some sort of thermocouple into its bottom, and this gets plugged into the stovetop. You set the temperature (and maybe time to get to that temperture) with the stove top element's controls. The stove top software controls the heating element's output to do the rest. Just a thought...
 
Originally posted by: engineereeyore
What kind of engineer are you? Electrical, Computer, Mechanical, Civil, Aerospace, Janitorial, ....
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<Half Baked>Custodial, dick! </Half Baked>

I only say that because I used to be a custodial engineer. Now I'm the other kind that you left off your list - chemical - the most important kind!

 
Three cheers for the homework forum.

When you can't come up with something, then steal it from someone else....

Developes character for when you get a job in big business ...........
 
Originally posted by: bendixG15
Three cheers for the homework forum.

When you can't come up with something, then steal it from someone else....

Developes character for when you get a job in big business ...........
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my thoughts exactly. when i come up with projects, they are original. i dont copy other people if at all possible.
 
Originally posted by: engineereeyore
What kind of engineer are you? Electrical, Computer, Mechanical, Civil, Aerospace, Janitorial, ....
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I'm not one, yet, this is just a college level class which covers digital electronics, principles of engineering, and intro to engineering drawing. I plan to be an electronics or chemical engineer
 
Originally posted by: Braznor
Build a robot, attach to it a machinegun. Have it walk around while firing blanks. Rig with a sensor net and call it home protection walker or something.

Even if you don't win the prize, you would get the maximum eyeballs, something very important to future employers while advertising your skills.
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The only requirement for the subject is size and it can't be hazardous. /cry


That self-controlled pot idea is nice...

I am in a team of 3, so I'll see what they have thought of monday.
 
What kind of courses have you taken (i.e. what year are you)? If you tell me, I can probably recommend something appropriate for your level of education.
 
Originally posted by: CycloWizard
Originally posted by: engineereeyore
What kind of engineer are you? Electrical, Computer, Mechanical, Civil, Aerospace, Janitorial, ....
Click to expand...
<Half Baked>Custodial, dick! </Half Baked>

I only say that because I used to be a custodial engineer. Now I'm the other kind that you left off your list - chemical - the most important kind!
Click to expand...

My bad, forgot about chemical and environmental. Yes, Janitorial was a joke. Sorry if people find that offensive, I just find it funny. The title 'engineer' is being applied to way to many positions.
 
Here's a simple one if you don't actually have to implement it, but only design it in theory. A hard drive enclosure with an embedded system that interfaces to a host computer. Many of the diagnostic tools used today require CPU time of the host machine to perform the hard drive test. Instead, have the interface send the instructions down to the enclosure and have the embedded system there do all the testing. Makes life easier for the host machine and allows it to perform more work at one time.

Just an idea. They might like it.
 
Originally posted by: engineereeyore
My bad, forgot about chemical and environmental. Yes, Janitorial was a joke. Sorry if people find that offensive, I just find it funny. The title 'engineer' is being applied to way to many positions.
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Hehe... I just tell people I've been an engineer my whole life. First I was a construction engineer, then a custodial engineer, though I never got around to being a sanitation engineer (garbage man 😛). I graduated straight to chemical engineer, then took a turn as an environmental, now more mechanical. But yes, I agree - political correctness FTL.
 
Originally posted by: CycloWizard
What kind of courses have you taken (i.e. what year are you)? If you tell me, I can probably recommend something appropriate for your level of education.
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I am a 3rd year high school student, but technically a senior. I've had the basic stuff, but this class is a college level prep class that is taken at a nearby vocational-technical center. The program consists of 3 semesters, one of which covers Digital Electronics, another is Principles of engineering, and the last is Intro to Engineering Drawing. I am in the 1st year of the program, so i have taken the DE portion and 9 weeks of the POE portion. The course also consists of 1 year of conceptual physics(which i am 3/4 of the way through), and 1 year of advanced chemistry(which i will take next year). We have alot of capabilities as far as making prototypes(we have a 3D printer/laser prototyper).
 
Originally posted by: yh125d
I'm gonna be competing in an Engimeering competition in early May. Our objective is to invent a product or improve upon an existing design. The problem is, me and my team are having trouble thinking of viable ideas. Anyone have some suggestions? It could range from an improved spatula to a super-efficient vehicle. No idea is a dumb idea. TIA
Click to expand...

Here's 1 : A kitchen stove with wireless connection to your PC or cellphone that rings you when your food is done... I got tonnes of ideas... lol, if you need some just PM me.
 
What about something with a cup/glass

Make a self cooling tumbler, or a glass hat keeps your milk cold without ice to water it down (that's gross when that happens)

I dunno how it'd be done, but, its something I'd use
 
Originally posted by: Kreon
What about something with a cup/glass

Make a self cooling tumbler, or a glass hat keeps your milk cold without ice to water it down (that's gross when that happens)

I dunno how it'd be done, but, its something I'd use
Click to expand...
Phase-change glasses already exist and are pretty much the best solution that doesn't require electricity.

As for the project, I'd recommend something pretty simple, probably an improvement of an existing product. This gives you a strong starting point, and if you are good at troubleshooting, then it shouldn't be hard to think of ways to improve the design. Usually, designs for products are flawed because of cost constraints or for ease of processing. Since you will probably not be mass producing your invention, you don't have to worry about these things and can do something pretty cool with something relatively mundane.
 
I don't think the judges would appreciate the fixing of a search function on a computer forum as a step ahead in engineering. Good idea though. I'd really like our subject to be related with computers somehow. Maybe a PC version of a Mac. Basically, a monitor duct-taped to a case with a fold down keyboard, but more refined.
 
Originally posted by: yh125d
I don't think the judges would appreciate the fixing of a search function on a computer forum as a step ahead in engineering. Good idea though. I'd really like our subject to be related with computers somehow. Maybe a PC version of a Mac. Basically, a monitor duct-taped to a case with a fold down keyboard, but more refined.
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That's a rather large undertaking. How many years do you have to work on this project? 😛
 
Originally posted by: CycloWizard
Originally posted by: yh125d
I don't think the judges would appreciate the fixing of a search function on a computer forum as a step ahead in engineering. Good idea though. I'd really like our subject to be related with computers somehow. Maybe a PC version of a Mac. Basically, a monitor duct-taped to a case with a fold down keyboard, but more refined.
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That's a rather large undertaking. How many years do you have to work on this project? 😛
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To improve on that: Have a GOOD monitor and a NICE keyboard that fold out from the central box (kinda like a laptop only with a desktop case, and a fold-out keyboard), with a separate compartment for a wireless mouse. So the thing folds up into a PC box with a carrying case handle. Could be very useful for businesses.

And then use it to FIX THE SEARCH. May not be a great leap forward for engineering, but definitely revolutionary for the admins. 😛

On a serious note, what does your budget look like?
 
I'm the class treasurer, but our teacher really handles everything. I think our department has a budget, but who knows how much. If we use our 3d printer, all the materials are free. Usually, something about the size of a mouse would use about $75 of supplies. I'm sure if there is something we need, we may be able to get some money from the school, and probably some supplies from local businesses.

I'm liking this porta-PC more and more. Maybe a mouse that docks in a optical drive slot, and a keyboard that folds once or twice and docks in a slot. Also, they could both be wireless, and have a receiver inside. And the monitor could be on a special hinge that would allow the panel side to be turned to the inside of the case to prevent damage.
 
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