mit media lab center for bits & atoms outreach program:a pathways to peace subject nasa rise...

MIT Media LabCenter for Bits & Atoms

Outreach Program:A Pathways to Peace Subject NASA RISE Design Project

Technology TilesTechnology Tiles

June 24-Aug 1June 24-Aug 1

RISE Design Project• Over the course of 6 weeks, RISE students were to learn solid

modeling and design, machine and build tiles to illustrate the current state of technology– NASA sponsors students in its Research In Science & Engineering summer program

• 9 students from Historically Black Colleges & Universities come to MIT for a technology infusion

– The CBA provided teaching and laboratory resources

– It was desired to learn how well a group of total neophytes could learn and apply a flexible design process to go from ideas to computer models to parts

• Tiles serve as monuments of today’s technology for future generations

RISE 3 Teams Together

Design Process: Individual Thought• Individual thought is often the most creative

– Do leisurely things (e.g., long walks) that you know inspire creative thought.

– Look at what other people have created

• Look in your home, stores, www, patents

– Get out of traffic and take alternate routes

– Sketch ideas and the ideas’ principal components

– Pit one idea against another and imagine strategies for winning

• Take the best from different ideas and evolve them into the best 2 or 3 ideas

Design Process: Peer Review• Peer review (having one’s colleagues and peers review one’s work) has always been a

critical part of the scientific process.– Rohrbach's 635 Method is a particular form of peer review where six (N) people

circulate their Milestone Reports or “Press Releases” to the other five (N-1) for comments

• A written record is thus also made of who first had the idea, so personality conflicts are more easily avoided

• NO TALKING: people make written constructive comments on each other’s papers, until everyone has read everyone else’s press releases

• Peer review of ideas before brainstorming creates a collective mind, so everybody knows what everyone else has been thinking, thus giving egos a chance to mellow– The group mind then works together in a more efficient manner when

brainstorming…– Very useful for developing strategies, concepts, & modules

Evolving Systems:Group Brainstorming• Brainstorming helps teams solve personal creativity deadlocks and help to

ensure something hasn't been overlooked

• Initially let everyone voice their suggestions, then distill ideas

• Group personality factors must be considered:

– Shy individuals getting run over

– Aggressive individuals always driving

• An individual's personality often has nothing to do with creativity

– Careful to avoid conflicts over the issue of who first thought of the idea

– The people in the group must be willing to take praise or scolding as a group

– NO pure negatives, only observations with suggestions for improvement:

– “That design sucks!”

– “I see a low pressure region that can be alleviated by making it blue”

Solid Modeling• Solid models of each design were made using SolidWorksTM

– SolidWorksTM is a 3-D modeling software Parts are individually designed and assembled as a complete work in SolidWorksTM

• Drawings of parts are are created in SolidWorks and downloaded to OMAXTM software for its Abrasive Waterjet Machining Center for machining

– The files were then downloaded to the machine

Waterjet CuttingAluminum models were cut to verify the part programs prior to cutting parts from tilesJohn who runs the waterjet

Aida who helped us!

Assembling Aluminum Models

Buying & Cutting Tiles

• After completing aluminum models, ceramic tiles were purchased to complete the final design

• Ceramic tiles were then cut in the same manner as aluminum tests tiles– Tabs were used to keep small parts from falling into the

water tank

– Tabs were then trimmed off

• The tiles were then arranged on tables to confirm sizes were correct

Trimming

Checking Part Fits

Tile Assembly• Once correct tile sizes were confirmed, parts were

assembled and secured in position with cement and grout

Tile Assembly

Tile Assembly

Trimming Mounting Boards• Once all parts were secured in position, the boards were

cut to size using a band saw

Completed Tiles! The Process Worked!