Making blog
Base parameters, Visual Inspiration and Sketches!
The ideation phase of the project takes Hayden's original idea and "brings it to life" on screen. Three designs were presented to Hayden. The design team walked through each one with her and narrowed down which overall features were the best, including the shape of the mobile, where booster rockets would be located, use of exterior lighting and other features.
One important feature that was reviewed and refined were the Flamingo's "legs". In talking through the potential use of the mobile in transporting astronauts from a space station to a planet surface, the team decided that mechanical legs that could retract during flight would be best. There could be a potential of deploying an astronaut manned "flock" of Flamingo Mobiles from a space station that would then be used on a planet surface to map out terrain and conduct experiments. If needed the astronauts could rest in their sleeping pod during the expedition, and use the camera eyes to document the work from the mobile.
The early concept design of the Flamingo Mobile started out on a whiteboard, like many projects do! The designers brainstorm, draw rough sketches, erase them and draw again, it's all part of the process! Once general concepts are decided on the fun begins in using software programs to bring the whiteboard sketches to life.
After meeting with Hayden and talking through key elements of the Flamingo Mobile design, the team worked on an inspiration board , pulling ideas from many sources, including animated films and actual vehicles used in space!
We've started 3D printing! Our printer isn't capable of printing the helmet at full size, so we've broken it down into eight smaller sections. Once the printing is complete, we will do a test fitting of the parts.
We are making some progress. Using FreeCAD, we completed the initial designs of the helmet shell. Next up... 3D printing!
Recently the Ocean Snake of Doom was revealed to our inventor, Samantha, her teacher and fellow students.
We hope Samantha and all the inventors keep dreaming big!
Client came to Jay Enn Corporation for a visit and final product view. Ava viewed our manufacturing and design facility where we make prototypes from automotive to advanced aviation for the Department of Defense.
We then added 4 coats Behr gloss and primer. Color is “outdoor café.” Performed final assembly and review. Sent images to client. Client is very happy and impressed.
Prior to painting, we tested that all parts fit and assembled everything. We discovered we had to extend the for the on/off switch. Everything fits, we then disassembled and started to apply wood glue as a sealer. Each coat takes about 2-3 hours to dry and one hour to sand smooth. We repeated this process 3 times.
Next we planned and cut locations for the control deck, claw arm, hull of battery powered RC jet ski and back of fish for on/off button. Next we cut out the fins with one design change. The original design called for solar panels but we couldn’t cut them without cracking so we went to black Plexiglass. Next we assembled magnetic rods for the garbage net and cut pockets to insert into the bottom of the Puffer Sub.
Because of the physical properties of Styrofoam, we had to experiment with different sealers. Flex-Seal destroyed the foam so we tried wood glue next. We applied three coats and sanded smooth between coats then spray painted on a test piece, wahoo! Looks great!
In these images we starting building process using the Puffer Sub. We started with a Styrofoam block, jig saw and a pencil and paper template. This gave us the general shape and form for our Puffer Sub. To get the correct scale, we inspected Ava’s design features and pilot of the Puffer Sub. We then used LEGO figures to get the scale correct and now have a good starting point. We also grabbed some scrap foal to test paint. Big challenge as the paint eats away at the foal, we will have to seal it first.
Our team at Jay Enn Corporation meets with their new client, Little Inventor Ava. We discussed the idea, some design challenges and our initial thoughts on making it real using found object design.
Even when you think you are making great progress on a project unexpected delays can and will occur! In creating the "guts" of the Ocean Snake of Doom, mainly the conveyor belt to move doomed trash, the 3D printer malfunctioned and ruined the parts.
Back to the beginning for the team!
The team has been working on the details , including the paint and texture for physical model of the Ocean Snake of Doom. Different techniques were used to recreate the look of a snake's skin, using painter's tape and mesh and layering colors of paint.
The team created a project summary to document the design process in preparation for the final physical model being made.
The PTI ID Design team is working on creating a physical model of the Ocean Snake of Doom by first 3D printing component parts. To create "lifelike" skin textures on the exterior of the model for the snake they experimented with various "everyday" materials like netting, wire mesh and drywall tape and different types of spray paint. Creating models involves using your imagination and any and all resources at your disposal!
This week our designers have developed a sketch of the Ocean Snake of Doom (OSD) controller based on Samantha's very detailed instructions. Cameras are located within the snake's eyes, so the controller is equipped with a display screen which will allow the snake's pilot to see the trash coming its way. The face of the controller has a directional keypad and buttons for maneuvering the snake up and down in the water. Buttons on the side of the controller operate the snake's mouth.
The team at PTI was excited to meet with Samantha and her teacher Kathy Pace to show them the progress they made on the Ocean Snake of Doom design!