Lab 1-Digital & Physical Models

Transcription

1 ! IAT 16 Spatial Thinking Fall 218 Lab 1-Digital & Physical Models Description In this lab you are going to enhance your understanding of spatial thinking and apply that understanding to analyze and develop a simple gimbal assembly in a 3-step process: 1. develop sketches for a two-gimbal assembly, 2. build a physical model of the select gimbal assembly, and 3. build a digital model of a two-gimbal assembly. You will find that these steps will likely not occur in the order above, but will be mixed together. This is both normal and desirable. The first part of the lab is an introduction to a simple 3D digital modeler from Lego, LDD, in which you ll become familiar with the tool by building a simple model. Part 1-Introducing Lego Digital Designer (LDD) Follow the demo of LDD by your TA. Part 2-Sketches for a two-gimbal assembly Make teams of two (2) and develop sketches for a mechanism with two gimbals. It is best that each team member make his or her own sketches, and that you show and discuss the sketches with each other. A gimbal is a pivoted support that allows an object to rotate about one axis [1]. If two or more gimbals are attached as shown in Figure 1, they provide free rotation of an object about multiple axes. They are used for many purposes; e.g., to keep compasses on ships horizontal or coffee cups in drink holders upright in moving vehicles. Figure 1: A three-gimbal assembly. Accessed on 6 Jan 216 at Page 1! of 5!

2 ! IAT 16 Spatial Thinking Fall 218 Part 3-Build a Digital Model of a Two-Gimbal Assembly You will use the sketches to help you build a two-gimbal assembly (Figure 2) using Lego Digital Designer (LDD), a digital-modeling program used for building objects using Lego blocks. You will work individually for this part of the lab. Just like real Lego blocks, LDD provides you with a set of modular blocks with different shapes, sizes, and functions. However, the blocks are digital, that is they are represented in the computer s memory. You can select parts from a list of grouped parts and bring them together using the software. You can insert, rotate, move, attach, or detach them. Unlike the physical Lego blocks, you can copy them, delete them, or change their colors as you wish. In addition, you have an essentially unlimited number of blocks. After building the LDD model, you ll save it and submit it to your TA using Canvas (see Deliverables section below). Part 4-Build a Physical Model of a Two-Gimbal Assembly Using digital Lego bricks does not give the same experience as real Lego bricks. There are differences between the digital and physical bricks as well as how we develop them using a computer or physical parts. In this part of the lab, you again build a two-gimbal mechanism but this time using physical Lego bricks. You will work in teams of four (4). In the process we want you to pay attention to the following: Figure 2: Two variations of a two-gimbal assembly Your approach in selecting Lego bricks regarding shape, size, function, and location they will be placed. The strategy you follow in decomposing and composing parts Challenges with using physical Lego bricks compared to digital ones; and the order of assembling a two-gimbal mechanism. Goal and Objectives The main goal is to experiment with the concepts about spatial thinking by working in teams to build a working assembly: 1. To relate spatial thinking concepts to the lab activities; such as objects, space and operations, reasoning (descriptive, analytical, or inferential) and make references between them. 2. To experiment with different representations for analysis, design, and building of simple assemblies with moving parts. 3. To communicate understanding and conceptualization of spaces, objects, and operations to self and others effectively. 4. To practice working in teams Process For the first two parts of the lab, you are to work in groups of two. For Part 3, you will work alone. In Part 4 each pair from Parts 1&2 will join with another pair to complete the lab. Each member of a group will be equally responsible for the deliverables. Page 2! of 5!

3 IAT 16 Spatial Thinking Fall 218 Timing of Lab activities Activity Time (min) Icebreaker 2 LDD overview and demo 1 Develop sketches for a two-gimbal assembly (groups of 2) 2 Build two-gimbal assembly using LDD (individual) 3 Regroup (groups of 4), build 2-gimbal assembly with real Lego bricks 6 Demos 3 Deliverables A. Group Assignment: You are required to submit the following for assessment. Marks and due dates for each deliverable are shown in the table below. 1. Physical two-gimbal mechanism made of physical Lego bricks provided to you. You will demo your model to the instructor and TA. The models should meet the following criteria: Gimbal rings should rotate as described It should stand itself and not break apart while rotating the gimbals It should be enjoyable to look at and play with it B. Individual Assignments: 1. Draw and label your sketches and show to your TA during the lab. These will not be formally marked as you will be doing a lot of other sketching this term. We include them in the lab as spatial thinking usually involves sketching, computer modeling and physical prototyping working together. 2. Digital Lego model files uploaded to Canvas under Lab 1 Digital Lego Model. Save your file as follows: a. Lab1_DigitalModel_<studentName>.lxf (e.g., Lab1_DigitalModel_JohnDill.lxf) b. Submit the file to Canvas under Lab 1 Digital Model. 3. Each student must also submit a Lab report of maximum one (1) page uploaded to Canvas under Lab 1 Report. Save your file as <Lab1_Report_StudentName>.docx (Eg: Lab1_Report_JohnDill.docx). For this deliverable, write your student ID and name along with the Lab section ID (see instructions on template). Answer the following questions (follow the instructions on the MSWord template): a. For each of the three representations (sketches, digital model, physical model) describe one helpful and one unhelpful quality of the representation for the task of devising the gimbal assembly. b. List three differences and three similarities that you observed in building the gimbal in Lego Digital Designer vs. with physical bricks, in terms of space, objects, operations and inferences. Page 3! of 5!

4 IAT 16 Spatial Thinking Fall 218 This applies to all writing in this course. We expect you to write to the best of your ability. We expect you use correct grammar, spelling and punctuation. We expect you to be concise, that is, to use fewer words rather than more. Poor writing will result in your work being given a zero mark, irrespective of its content. Assessment Criteria and grading are: Item Due Individua l or Team Criteria Criteri on Mark Ite m Mar k Tot al Digital model -- windmill Lab 1 individual 1 responsibly done 2 Spinning Component spins 8 Physical model during lab team inner ring can rotate three times without breaking outer ring can rotate three times without breaking, and inner ring follows it crowd enjoys it (clapping) Sketches during lab individual Completeness Parsimony Clarity Digital model Lab 2 individual 2 Page 4! of 5!

5 IAT 16 Spatial Thinking Fall 218 is it a complete and practical design? 4 Report Lab 2 Inner ring spins? 8 Outer ring spins? 8 individual 1 appropriateness, accuracy and clarity of answers and writing 1 TOTAL 4 References 1. Gimbal: Page 5! of 5!