Making blog
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!
The team continued working on modeling the snake's head and body using Solidworks, and working out the mechanical features such as how the snake's mouth would open to take in the trash and how the conveyor belt would function to move the plastic trash through the snake.
Samantha chose stainless steel to construct the Ocean Snake of Doom, the design team agreed this was a good choice of material that could hold up well in the harsh ocean environment.
Steve and Mike researched different snakes and marine animals to provide them with "design fuel". How would The Ocean Snake of Doom's head look? What marine animals could they look to to understand how a creature moves through the water? What features on a creatures body help them move quickly through the water? There are many questions that can be answered by looking to the natural world for clues!
They also looked at mechanical designs of conveyors and other manufacturing and processing processes for technical ideas.
The Team took Samantha's original design and studied the mechanical features of the snake and did a "rough" animation of the snake to understand how it might take in the plastic waste and also move through the water. They looked at where filters might be placed, how the conveyor belt would function, location of the plastic breakdown box and position of the propellers.
The Team at PTI ID got to meet Samantha the Little Inventor of The Ocean Snake of Doom!
We had a great first meeting discussing her ideas and how we would work together to bring it to life and shared some initial design inspirations from the team.
The Team at PTI ID was intrigued by the many features of the Ocean Snake of Doom, including recycling of the trash collected.
The team will first look for inspiration from the natural world to understand and develop the shape of the device, and then study the mechanics of the snake and look to existing industrial products to integrate the technical features.
The team will first collaborate on designs and modeling and then create a physical scale model of the Snake of Doom.