Reverse Engineering Lesson

thingiverse

Students learn about the engineering process by taking a piece of an object and recreating it using modeling software and 3D printing. The goal is to duplicate the original, or improve upon it. Print Settings: Printer Brand: MakerBot Printer: MakerBot Replicator (5th Generation) Rafts: Yes Supports: No Resolution: 0.1 Infill: 100% Notes: I always use a raft, but it's probably not necessary. How I Designed This I took a toy from my classroom and duplicated a part of the puzzle using Tinkercad design software. Then, I printed it out and used it to replace the piece I had duplicated. Reverse Engineering Lesson Students learn about reverse engineering by taking a piece of an object and recreating it in 3D software. If they succeed, they can use their new part as a replacement for the original. Objectives: Define reverse engineering as disassembling and carefully analyzing to duplicate or improve a device or component. Demonstrate the process of reverse engineering using a given object or component and suggest areas for improvement. Skills Learned Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics that can be combined into a new solution. (Grades 6-8) Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process to achieve an optimal design. (Grades 6-8) Math Grades 6-8 students should: Understand metric and customary systems of measurement. Understand relationships among units and convert from one unit to another within the same system. Select and use units of appropriate size and type to measure angles, perimeter, area, surface area, and volume. Lesson Plan and Activity The instructor begins by describing the reverse engineering process. Each student group will be assigned a part of an object (in my case it was a piece of a wooden puzzle). Students will measure their part and draw it in three views on engineering design paper. After instructor approval of the design, students will use 3D software to create a printable part. The parts will be printed, and tested against the original part. Students are successful if their part goes back into the original object and performs as well or better than the original. Day 1 Explain the reverse engineering process, and why it is necessary. Discuss measurement units that would be best to use (in Tinkercad, metric mm is the default). Have students begin to disassemble their given object to prepare for design. Day 2 Students measure their assigned part and sketch it out on paper, showing all dimensions. They will need to understand they must show three views - Front, Top, and Side - in order to get a complete 3D structure. Day 3-4 Depending on the complexity of the part, design time can vary. Printing time depends on the number of parts printed, printer capacity, and speed. Materials Needed Toys or objects that can be disassembled (and reassembled) - one for each group. 3D design software with accounts for all students. Handout. Students will need something to measure their parts, such as calipers and rulers. Duration of Lesson 3-4 Days Rubric and Assessment Assess the quality of drawn designs (are there 3 views?, Do they line up? Is all information necessary included?). Have students show that their reverse-engineered part works as well or better than the original part. References http://www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/cub_engineering_in_reverse