Exam
Discussion
What have you thought about/noticed in the world that relates to the work you have done this semester?
Take the exam:
Extra credit question:
How will the price of fuel affect the systems you use on a daily basis in the future?
Think out 10 years and 40 years.
take the survey - link
Summer project:
Make signs for Conservation department in the town.
6-16-08
Exam Review
Electricity
Design Process
Mill
Vinyl
Sketchup
Summer project:
Make signs for Conservation department in the town.
Meeting Tuesday after the second exam in room 136.
Courses for next year:
Robotics
Build Repair
C++
Web Design
6-10-08
Multi color image
http://dhsfab.pbwiki.com/MultiColorImage
5-29-08
Have you handed in your proposal?
You are expected to work for the entire period.
More work, less sit.
5-20-08
IndividualProjects
With a few weeks left in the semester, each person will be developing a plan and written contract of what they will create and do with the remaining time.
What will you do?
What documentation will you create?
What tools will you use?
How will you share your project with the school and community?
How will we know that you have succeeded?
5-19-08
Prom wall
bring parts of prom wall back from front hall
put the wall up in storage.
sketchup
Your work on the warehouse should be tagged with 'duxtech' and other relevant words.
get your work out of the computer and into the physical world.
model making with foamboard
cutting on the mill
cutting on the shopbot
house building
How to get cleaner cuts
mill
vector cuts with letters
vinyl
celtics image from last night as a sticker/shirt
5-16-08
Sub Plan Mr. Connors May 16 2008
Principles of Technology Room 136
There are a number of projects going in the class right now. Here is a breakdown of what people should be working on:
Andria and Laura - Making a model of Duxbury Jewelers out of foam core board. They should need an exacto from the top drawer of the desk, which they should return at the end of class.
Donnie - Building circuits and experimenting with sound generated by his graphing calculator
Tim, Seth, Pete - Working on the mill, getting designs created on the computer to be cut in objects.
Tory, Chris, Will, David, John - Working to design for the vinyl cutter. Design for the back of a cell phone. Small designs on the vinyl cutter.
If they are cutting today, they will be limited in material to the size of the cell phone. There is some transfer tape on the top of the monitor, They should be aware that the students in the next class also need the transfer tape. They will likely need an exacto knife from the desk, and should return it at the end of class.
Nick and Mike - Electricity, modifying remote control vehicles and radios. They may also be using the vinyl cutter to create decals for the car. They should put their work away in a locker.
Blade, Aiden, Austin - Using Sketchup to design buildings and phyical spaces. They should make sure they put their work up in the Sketchup Warehouse.
Have students shut down computers at the end of class and put their work away.
5-5-08
FabaPhoto
Sketchup on the warehouse
Output sketchup to the mill or shopbot
5-2-08
Vinyl cutter
Design your own.
Use gimp to modify your photo
Use the threshold control to alter the photo
Get an image ready for SilkscreenPrintingPictures
Sketchup
Put your work in the warehouse.
What can we do to move your work to the mill or shopbot?
4-28-08
View of the remainder of the semester
RisingEnergyCosts
Vinyl Cutter Projects
Sketchup Projects
Electricity Projects
A group/large scale project to finish off the term
4-17-08
Use original designs to make stickers 6 inches by 6 inches or less.
convert photo to a cuttable image file.
Sketchup
Design for houses, design for mill
Use the tutorials
there are a bunch of great video tutorials also.
Check the help menu
Mill
How do we need to change the documentation of our process?
Run the mill as much as possible to get bugs out of our system working with it.
4-16-08
New Student
Welcome Will to class!
BuDesignOutreachEmail
Vinyl cutter
Original artwork only
Cuts should be less than 6 inches by 6 inches
Check with Mr. Connors if you want to do something larger.
Hovercraft
Create documentation of your hovercrafts to show how they work and why.
Take photos and video of them running.
Get them to run on a 9 volt battery so they can be autonomous.
Races?
Sketchup
Design for houses, design for the mill.
House Design
Hand drawings
Floor Plans
Elevations
Mill
Everybody will need to get some experience running the mill
Make note of any odd things that happen while running the files.
4-14-08
Aerodynamics and hovercraft
Your designs should be based upon information you have found during the project.
Don't rely only on what you already know
Your construction of this project should be largely complete.
Hovercraft Writeup/documentation
Write up an explanation of how the hovercraft works, what design changes you have made and tips for somebody else to follow if they were to make the project on their own.
Include photos and drawings of the device you have made.
Vinyl cutter
Use Gimp, Inkscape or paint to create your own design
Transfer the file to the computer with the vinyl cutter
Cut the sticker, put it on transfer tape.
Use the vinyl in connection with another project (joule thief, hovercraft, mill, etc.)
Vinyl cutter writeup
Is the process we are using to create designs in class written up?
Write up a step by step process for making an original design for cutting in vinyl.
Sketchup
Make a simple, small design, bring the file over to the mill and cut it.
What can we design to tie in to the joule thief circuit?
Can we design parts for the hovercraft?
How can we combine the mill with vinyl and electronics through sketchup?
Mill
Is the set of directions we started with still valid?
Make sure any documentation we create is posted on the dhsfab.pbwiki.com site
See if you can cut throughout the period
Larger files will take longer to cut
What can we design to tie in to the joule thief circuit?
House Design
The idea for this project will be to design a house using CAD such as Sketchup and fabricate the parts of the house to make a scale model.
The parts can be cut on the mill, shopbot or other tools in the shop.
Passive solar design should be a feature.
Electrification of the house should be a feature.
The materials can be wood, foam core board or cardboard.
We can make the landscape of the building with foam and the shopbot to make a 3d landscape.
Several houses can be combined to make a neighborhood.
BuDesign
The Boston University College of Engineering has an annual design competition.
This can be a fun and challenging project.
Information about the competition is here - http://www.bu.edu/eng/design/
Photos of past competitions are here - http://flickr.com/photos/connors934/sets/72157594155726509/
4-10-08
Aerodynamics and hovercraft
Your designs should be based upon information you have found during the project.
Don't rely only on what you already know
Vinyl cutter
Use Gimp, Inkscape or paint to create your own design
Transfer the file to the computer with the vinyl cutter
Cut the sticker, put it on transfer tape.
Use the vinyl in connection with another project (joule thief, hovercraft, mill, etc.)
Lathe
video on the lathe with instructions for each of the steps
Sketchup
Make a simple, small design, bring the file over to the mill and cut it.
What can we design to tie in to the joule thief circuit?
Mill
Move the power strip over to where the devices are.
The light should be plugged in to the power strip.
The vacuum can be plugged in to the outlet instead of the strip
See if you can cut throughout the period
Larger files will take longer to cut
What can we design to tie in to the joule thief circuit?
4-9-08
Aerodynamics and hovercraft
Check with me about next steps
Hovercrafts need to have longer power wires
Hovercrafts need directional motors/fans
Vinyl cutter
Make your own design, cut it on a sticker
Lathe
video on the lathe with instructions for each of the steps
Sketchup
check out the basic tutorials
Design an object in sketchup,
http://dhsfab.pbwiki.com/SketchUptoMicroMill
http://dhsfab.pbwiki.com/HelloBlock
Micromill
cut parts designed in sketchup
http://dhsfab.pbwiki.com/HelloBlock
4-7-08
Botball
update on robotics competition
Hovercraft/aerodynamics
Test and refine.
Your design should make incremental progress
base your design choices on trial and error, success and small failures
Mill
Tune the motors, cut a sample part
4-3-08
Hovercraft/aerodynamics
Test and refine.
Your design should make incremental progress
base your design choices on trial and error, success and small failures
Mill
Tune the motors, cut a sample part
Botball Announcement
LOOKING FOR ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN UMASS LOWELL's BOTBALL ROBOTICS TOURNAMENT on SATURDAY. Will look great on your brag sheet. FIinal build is Friday afternoon. We'll be leaving the competition at 6:30 Saturday morning and will get back at 6:30 Saturday night. If you would like to join the team, please see Mrs. Lewis or Mr. Connors for a permission slip.
Robotics in June
BU Design Competition - http://www.bu.edu/eng/design/
Audio/blog - http://fussingwithstuff.com/2006/07/022-jim-and-diane-fiset-talk-about-bu.html
Photos - http://flickr.com/photos/13559856@N00/sets/72157594155726509/
4-2-08
Mill
Tune the motors, cut a sample part
Hovercraft/aerodynamics
Test and refine.
Your design should make incremental progress
base your design choices on trial and error, success and small failures
Robotics this weekend
DHS will be competing in a robotics competition this weekend.
If you can make a commitment to Saturday, we would love to have you along.
You will need to get a signed permission slip back asap.
Wed, Thursday and Friday will be after school build/programming sessions.
Robotics in June
BU Design Competition - http://www.bu.edu/eng/design/
Audio/blog - http://fussingwithstuff.com/2006/07/022-jim-and-diane-fiset-talk-about-bu.html
Photos - http://flickr.com/photos/13559856@N00/sets/72157594155726509/
4-1-08
Mill -
Mach 2 works to drive the steppers
Get those motors tuning!
vinyl cutter
circuit design with vinyl
You should be able to draw out your circuit board design, then cut it in vinyl
Multi color vinyl stickers are a very neat thing.
Hovercrafts
Here are some links:
Hovercrafts on Make
http://amasci.com/amateur/hovercft.html
CD hovercraft - http://www.questacon.edu.au/html/squad_activities/forces_cd_hovercraft.html
3-29-08
BU Design Competition - http://www.bu.edu/eng/design/
Audio/blog - http://fussingwithstuff.com/2006/07/022-jim-and-diane-fiset-talk-about-bu.html
Photos - http://flickr.com/photos/13559856@N00/sets/72157594155726509/
3-25-08
SchematicDiagrams
Draw your circuit with a schematic diagram.
3-19-08
Shake flashlight uses a rectifier bridge on stripboard http://www.electroniccrafts.org/?n=Main.Shakelight
VinylCutter
If you are making your own design in Gimp, make sure the image is about the size you want the sticker to be. If you have to enlarge the image, you will get a lot of imperfections.
You can also use Paint to create the image you will cut on the vinyl.
At this point, we are working with electricity and the DesignProcess.
If you get stuck, find me to get some guidance.
3-17-08
DesignProcess
VinylCutter
3-12-08
DesignProcess
At this point, we are working with electricity and the DesignProcess.
If you get stuck, find me to get some guidance.
There are many projects that could be tackled.
Everybody will need to make a circuit board.
Everybody will need to use Computer Aided Design
Everybody will need to make something on the cnc mill.
3-11-08
Workflow
Games are not a legitimate activity.
Games will not be a legitimate activity.
At this point, we are working with electricity and the DesignProcess.
If you get stuck, find me to get some guidance.
There are many projects that could be tackled.
Everybody will need to make a circuit board.
Everybody will need to use Computer Aided Design
Everybody will need to make something on the cnc mill.
3-6-08
Series circuits vs parallel circuits
Using the breadboards to do circuit design
DesignSquad -
ScienceFairNeedsJudges - http://duxtech.pbwiki.com/ScienceFairNeedsJudges
2-29-08
A thousand LEDs
Breadboard for circuit prototyping
What other kinds of circuits can you make?
How can you make a switch?
Where can you find a switch?
How can you adapt a harvested switch to a circuit?
What is a circuit board?
How can you make a circuit board?
Are we having fun?
Cleanup
2-26-08
Complete your own two lights and have them checked off.
When they are done, take them home and use them.
Technique for battery box with no solder
WorldLight In this project you will work solo or in pairs.
You will need to use the DesignProcess
Identify the needs of your intended target group
Who are they?
What do they need?
Where will they use your product?
When will they use your product?
Think up some ideas that you think might work for them.
Sketch out some ideas
What materials will you need?
What materials are available?
What should your light be able to do other than just light up?
2-25-08
Did you get your two lights checked off before vacation?
New red led's available
lights and circuits
WorldLight
Make a flash light design which can be used in a third world country
This is a new project. We can go lots of ways with it.
2-14-08
Happy Valentine's Day
JouleThief in a case?
Second working circuit?
Check them off with Mr. Connors before the end of the period.
2-13-08
JouleThief
Working circuit check by end of period
Is your first circuit in the case yet?
What are your plans for your second circuit?
JouleThiefEval
2-12-08
JouleThief
Everybody should have a working circuit this period
By the end of the week - you should have a second working circuit.
You should have the first circuit into a case by the end of the week
You will bring at least the first circuit home this week
Make sure you check with Mr. Connors to make sure your circuit is checked off.
JouleThiefEval
2-8-08
JouleThief
Debug the circuit
What can you put the circuit into?
2-7-08
JouleThief
Make a battery holder out of paper
Solder your LED to your NPN transistor
Solder your battery tabs to your toroid and LED/transistor
LED - Identify the positive and negative leads on any LED
loads of info on LEDs - link
pvc flashlight with leds - link
Soldering tutorial - link
Joule Thief video - link
Evil Mad Scientist page on the Joule Thief - link
2-5-08
JouleThief
Hand Back
Circuit diagram
components you will need: resistor, LED, transisitor,
Components you will add: make some battery tabs, wire in a switch
Make a battery holder: Folded cardboard or heavy paper
Case installation: What will you put your circuit into?
If you are using a mouse:
- You will need to clear out some of the plastic in the mouse.
- Wire onto the switches so you can use them.
- Wire up one switch to start with to keep access to the soldering irons.
Return tools to bins at end of class
2-4-08
JouleThief
soldering Demo, video - link
connect the wires mechanically
Heat them briefly
The solder should melt onto the wires
Less solder is better than more solder.
Solder on a board, not directly on the table.
Share the soldering iron.
Don't waste the solder.
Battery box from cardboard
measure the battery,
Fold and cut a piece of heavy paper to fit around the battery
Battery terminal tabs
Use a small piece of copper clad board
Solder a wire to it
This wire will go to your circuit
Your ideas
handback
What do you need for supplies?
If it is here, you can use, it. Ask
If it isn't here, you will need to get it.
Micromill and vinyl cutter
2-1-08
JouleThief
We should be able to make several versions of this circuit. There are a number of ways that you can improve it. There are a number of problems present in its current state. You will need to articulate and solve these problems to make the circuit and its resulting solution your own. Your solution must be more durable than the samples shown.
Here are some questions to help get you moving:
What can you put this circuit into?
How can you make this circuit look like it is something else?
Write your ideas on a piece of paper and hand it in.
Have at least two ideas.
Include drawings of what you think it should look like.
Include notes of features you want to add to it.
Finding a toroid
Wrapping the toroid
Soldering instructions
Parts you will need for the circuit
Storing your work
Label your work
Course Selection
Technology and Engineering
701 Principles of Technology
Half Year
710 Standards Based Technology and Engineering
Full Year, counts as one of your three science requirements
707 Building and Repairing Computers
Half Year
716 Robotics
Half Year
Computer Science
201 Introduction to Programming with C++
204 Introduction to Programming with Java
206 Website Design
1-30-08
Projects for the semester
JouleThief
This project should bring us up to February vacation
You will make the circuit, and you will also make an enclosure for it.
The finished light should not look like a flashlight.
We will make some CAD designs of your completed device.
How the Joule thief works
Where to get information on it
Getting the toroid
Motherboards
Wrapping the toroid
Securing your work - bring in a padlock, you can share a locker
we will likely make several of these each
If you want to use white or blue LEDs, we will have to buy them.
If we are buying, what/how many should we order?
How can we modify the circuit?
What can we do to put the circuit into a housing?
What can we make it look like?
How can we change its function?
1-28-08
Welcome to Principles!
First class
IntrotoCourse
Intro to subject
Joule Thief
Fab car
Micro Mill
Vinyl Cutter
Scratch and Scratch Boards
Course expectations
On task
In class assignments
Homework
Side Projects
Robotics team
After school
Programmed in C
Roomba and Gameboy robot
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