MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics 16.010 / 16.020 Unified Engineering Systems Problems #1 and #2 Issued: Wednesday 3 September, 2003 Due: See page 5 ENGINEERING COMMUNICATIONS Objectives By the end of Systems Problem #2, you will be able to: • Make and interpret engineering drawings of a simple object. • Write a professional letter or memo to communicate technical information to a colleague. • Discuss technical communication, its role in engineering, and potential communications pitfalls in the Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate (CDIO) process. Discussion Communication is essential to engineering. Without proper communication, your ideas and expertise cannot be conveyed to others efficiently, leading to errors that may increase costs, delays, and even lead to loss of life. Example Forms of Communication Graphics Written Notes Memoranda Emails Formal Letters Formal Reports Books Oral Informal Discussion Meetings Phone Calls Formal Oral Reports Schematics Engineering Drawings Data Plots Figures / Pictures / Photos In systems problems 1 and 2, we will focus on communicating a design concept for a glider (that you will design) using formal letters and engineering drawings. Rather than performing drawing as an isolated task, we will imbed it within the context of design and manufacture to more clearly highlight the importance of good communication in engineering. 1 of 8Below is a simplified schematic of a design process involving two groups. One group designs and tests an object, the second group builds the object. For the engineering process to succeed, it is necessary that the two groups can communicate effectively. Group 1 obviously needs to transmit a clear, unambiguous drawing of the components of the object and the manufacturing process that should be used. Group 2 must communicate the outcome of the fabrication process (including any problems or failures along the way) so that Group 1 is able to properly report on the success of the project as well as to potentially redesign any faulty parts. FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND CONSTRAINTS DESIGN COMMUNICATION (e.g. DRAWING) FABRICATION EVALUATION REPORTING GROUP 2GROUP 1 This is the basic model you will follow for this assignment. You will each get to play the role of designer and fabricator. This systems problem covers the following aspects of engineering: • Conception/Design -- You will design a glider, make detailed drawings, write construction plans, and write a memo. This must be completed by 1PM Thursday September 11, 2003. • Implementation -- You will exchange drawings and fabrication instructions for the airplane with one of your classmates. You give your drawings to the person in class just below your name on the alphabetical list of Unified students. You get a set of drawings from the person in class just above your name on the alphabetical list. You must build the plane and write a memo to the designer evaluating the construction plans and drawings. Fabrication and its associated memo must be completed by 1PM Thursday September 18, 2003. • Operation -- You will fly the airplane you designed in the Johnson Athletic Center. The glider with the longest flight time will earn the designer and fabricator a lovely prize. You will prepare a written evaluation that focuses on whether or not the airplane meets the manufacturing tolerances you specified in the construction plans. The flight event will be held from 1-2PM Thursday September 18, 2003 in the Johnson Athletic Center (2nd floor). 1. Functional Requirements and Constraints2 of 8We realize that you have not yet learned about aerodynamics, stability and control, propulsion, structures, etc., (you will!). So the functional requirements are watered-down a little bit: • Design a hand-launched glider that looks like it will fly. You will of course get the chance to test your design to see if it really does fly, but your grade will not depend on how well your airplane flies. • The airplane must be constructed from balsa wood and glue (no more). All the stock materials will be available from the TAs so that you can see and feel the materials. Following is a list of stock materials and tools from which you may draw: Balsa wood: One (1) of the following: 1/16” x 3” x 36” 3/32” x 3” x 36” 1/8” x 3” x 36” “Unlimited” quantities: 1/16” x 1/16” x 36” 3/32” x 3/32” x 36” 1/8” x 1/8” x 36” Cyanoacrylate glue (medium viscosity) Elmer’s glue Razor blades (for cutting balsa) Pins (for holding parts together while the glue dries) Rulers and straight-edges • The complete assembled glider must fit within a box that is 16” x 16” x 6”. • IMPORTANT: The design must be simple enough that it can be constructed in less than 90 minutes by an untrained Unified student (fabrication time is expensive). 2. Construction Plans and Transmittal LetterYou will provide the fabricator with at least: a) a cover letter with appropriate salutations, your name, address, phone number, etc. b) a parts list c) a three-view drawing of the assembled glider d) fabrication instructions e) any additional single part drawings or details that are required Neat hand drawings are acceptable and encouraged. The drawings must be properly dimensioned and include any important tolerances. Your construction plans and transmittal letter are due to your fabricator on Thursday September 11, 2003 at 1:00PM in the System Problem lecture. 3. Fabrication• Carefully read the bill of materials in the fabrication instructions. You may then obtain the required materials from the TAs. • Build the airplane, and note the amount of time it required. 3 of 8• Write an evaluation letter to the designer that includes a) appropriate salutations, addresses, etc. b) a brief discussion of the clarity of the construction plans, aspects that were easy to follow, aspects that were unclear c) an estimate of the amount of time it took you to fabricate the glider • Return the glider and the letter to the designer at 1PM Thursday September 18, 2003 at the Johnson Athletic Center – don’t be late!. • Please return unused construction materials to the TAs when you are finished. 4. EvaluationThere will be three phases to the evaluation. • First, the designer will perform a small flight test. You will have ten minutes to try out your glider and you will be allowed to trim the
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