Students explore electrical and mechanical drive hardware, such as motors, bearings, gears. Drills from different manufacturers are compared for their design, ease of manufacture and cost. The single use camera, first invented by Kodak, is an example of a high volume, low cost product which is designed to have a high content of re-used parts and recycled materials. Students dissect two consecutive versions and identify product improvements. Issues of injection molding, design for manufacture, and design for recycling are examined.
Students dissect, reassemble and troubleshoot a lawnmower engine.
In the process, they learn about combustion, carburetors, cooling, ignition systems, lubrication, materials and proper use of tools. Engine Dissection Instructions engine.doc Engine Lecture Slides engine.ppt Telephone Dissection - Students dissect rotary dial telephones, as well as modern electronic versions. The rotary dial telephone, while now obsolete, is an excellent example of an electro-mechanical device. The ringing mechanism, the rotary dial governor, and the carbon microphone are extremely clever devices. They provide an opportunity to discuss the invention and history of the telephone.