Project Identity Adjustable Art Table Week 1: Monday, January 23, 2006 Bruce Bassi Work Completed Over the winter break, the software AutoCad 2005 was obtained and the 8020 AutoQuoterX software was installed on my laptop. Some time was put in to familiarize myself with the program. After installing the software it was realized that the 8020 selection of parts is extensive and it was difficult to decide on what sizes were needed. The pictures that were included in the AutoQuoterX software were difficult see. A request was put in to the 8020 representatives for a demonstration to come to UConn but it was realized that there is already a demonstration set to occur on January 20. Also after understanding how extensive the parts list was, more research was done on the 8020 website to gather more information. A catalog was requested and it was found that 8020 parts can be seen in a 3D model on a website called: http://www.3dcontentcentral.com/3dcontentcentral/. It was not possible to log into the 8020 portion of the website and an email was sent to their customer support team. After they gave some unsuccessful solutions to the problem, the idea was dropped and it was determined that the best way to decide which parts to use was through the demonstration or the catalog. It was also discovered that 8020 has good video tutorials on their website which explain how to assemble simple 8020 parts. These concepts could also be learned through the demonstration. At the beginning of the week, it was decided that the best route for the project would be to use 8020. This means that the frame of the table that was designed in the final report would now be made out of 8020 materials, but the moving mechanisms will still be the same. The gas springs (which have not yet arrived) will be used in conjunction with the gear and gear rack. Over the past week, the team met to inspect the parts received and to determine which 8020 parts will be used and how they will interact with the received parts. The gear and gear rack were received before winter break. Although they seem smaller than expected, it is still believed that they can work appropriately. The tabletop was received and appeared to be in good condition, as seen in the photograph in Appendix I. It was determined that there will be another 8020 frame that supports the tabletop. The frame would look like a mirror image of the base that touches the floor. Also, the handle that would turn the gear was received and was as expected. The photograph of the handle appears in Appendix I. The handle will be attached to a shaft that goes into the gear and 8020 parts will be used to create a linear motion mechanism for the rear support leg. The 8020 catalog was browsed in order to find a part that would allow for two extrusions to slide relative to one another when the table raises and lowers. The timeline was revised because of the change in plans to use 8020 parts rather than to buy raw materials and to machine shop them. The new timeline appears later in this report.
Future Work Next week on January 27 there will be an 8020 demonstration. It needs to be determined if the parts that have been chosen will be appropriate for the tasks so that time is not wasted ordering the wrong parts. This will be done by comparing the parts that have been picked out with the demonstrated parts, and also by talking with the 8020 representative. The linear motion mechanism needs to be finalized as does how the gas springs will fit in between the two 8020 parts. The parts order will be ready to be submitted that afternoon so that the parts will arrive by February 1 at the latest. Some more AutoCAD design work can be done since the dimensions of the table base are now known. The parts that have been chosen the last week will be designed in AutoCAD using the appropriate dimensions. It would be of great interest to track the order progress of the gas springs. It would be beneficial to know if there is a mistake or delay in the order. Project Review The biggest concern is the late arrival of the gas springs. Since they will not arrive for another five weeks there is little room for error on their functionality. With this exception, the project is in good standing. How the base will interact with the gear and gear rack is well know as is the structure of the 8020 base. The AutoCAD design will be done on Wednesday, January 25 and the team will meet with the 8020 representative on Friday January 27. The updated timeline follows on the next page.
Timeline Hours Worked Winter Break: 15 hours Week 1: 8 hours
Appendix I Picture 1: Gear Rack and Gear. Picture 2: Tabletop.
Picture 3: Handle.