M. Yockey's Final Thoughts

Starting this course I knew absolutely nothing about design and manufacturing so I was always learning something. The machines were very intimidating, and it was amazing how many of them I felt comfortable with by the end of the class. There are two lessons that stand out. One: running a current through the motor, and seeing our machine move the way we planned it, showed me how simple creating movement is. Two: our machine did not function as planned because we were not careful enough with the manufacturing details. The machines that functioned the best had clean, precise layouts. As irritating and unimportant as they may seem, the details make the machine.

Communicating those details is one of the most difficult parts of teamwork. Working on your own you already know what an idea will look like in 3-D, and you just make it. As a group an idea must be repeated 2 or 3 times to insure everyone understands. There were times when people were thinking something very similar, but the language made it sound like two completely different concepts. At least once four people “understood” the concept four separate ways. The more people are involved, the more time must be spent talking about the project before making anything.

Everything takes longer than you think it will. SolidWorks will not do what it is supposed to; the machines are full; that amazing idea does not work with any of the other modules. Something will go wrong, especially when you are a beginner. If something needs to be changed, it might take an extra day to get the group’s okay. It would have been wonderful to have a full week of tinkering and practice time. We could have had that if we spent as much time in the shop the first week it was open as we did during the last week.

My favorite thing that I learned is nobody knows everything. It seems obvious, but there were so many times when I felt like I was the only person doing something for the first time. It makes a person feel like an idiot (perhaps justifiably so). Being in the shop with other people who could admit that they did not know how to use this or that machine made it easier to ask questions, and it made the work more fun.

One change to the course would be to spend less time on the individual design process, and move up the date for the finished machine. The competition was great, but a lab section at the end of the term where groups really have a chance to look at each other’s designs would teach so much. Do something casual without the pressure of a presentation. Have two groups meet at a time per se and have them try to operate the other group’s machine. There was so much discussion at the beginning regarding individual ideas. We needed that discussion at the end once we actually had some experience. Also, please do not do so many last minute additions. My education is important to me, but I do not wish to be tied to my computer waiting for the next update. Technology is wonderful, but people should play outside.

I could have been more focused especially at the beginning of the term. I wish I had had more time for reading since that is how I learn best, especially when I am uncomfortable with how little I know. I would also have moved fewer times.