Target Market: I think the mp3 speaker does have an aesthetic which represents 'Tron'. However I would not describe this as a strong aesthetic which could be recognised without prior knowledge of this project. I feel it is quite difficult to do this unless you use vinyl lettering with the name/logo, I didn't feel it was crucial to make the theme that explicit. I think the mp3 speaker would appeal to some 'Tron' fans, probably male more than female fans though.
Product Requirements: The speaker produces a reasonable sound quality with an IPod. However, the sound quality is reduced when the volume is at maximum. I think the speaker is user friendly and the battery easily accessible. The speaker houses the components (eg. the battery and speaker) securely and safely. The speaker is finished to a reasonable standard.
Size/Weight/Durability: The speaker is a medium size, but still small enough and lightweight so it is easily portable. The speaker housing is quite strong and I think it would withstand mild impacts.
Aesthetic: I think the shape, colour and materials used, reflect and compliment the style of 'Tron Legacy'.
Manufacturing Process: The speaker was designed using CAD (ProEngineer) and was manufactured using CAM (rapid prototyping and the 3D router).
Safety: The speaker does not contain anything that could pose a health and safety risk if used responsibly.
The SKE project provided me with new challenges: firstly, I had never written a blog before and secondly I had never used CAD or CAM!
I am pleased with the blog I have created. I completed a few tutorials on blogging and once I had become familiar with the programme I found it user friendly and was able to add pages and information quickly. I was very doubtful about using a blog to present my work, but have now changed my mind! I am really glad that the project required the blog submission - it is far quicker than producing a traditional sketchbook and it is green - no printing out endless pages. I would definitely consider using blogs when I am teaching in the future.
I think I have progressed well with the CAD. I feel more confident about using the ProEngineer software and my knowledge has definitely been increased. I think it is evident that this is the first thing I have designed using CAD. The design on ProEngineer is different around the speaker area to the prototype model. This was because I didn't understand that the 3D router would not be able to cut this out. The depth of the design was also a little large for the 3D router, which made manufacturing harder. These are problems that I did not anticipate because of my knowledge at the beginning of the project. I think if I was to re-design the speaker it would change because I now understand how the 3D router works and some of the pitfalls to avoid. I would introduce CAD into lessons in the future, but I would also use modelling alongside this. The virtual model you create on screen is great, however I don't think it is a substitute for having a model in your hands. I have learnt that I need a physical model to fully understand how a design will work.
I think I chose the most appropriate types of manufacture. Again, it was important for me to make the speaker using the 3D router and rapid prototyping, because no matter how many times the process is explained to you, it becomes much clearer when you use the machines yourself. I think my final piece shows an effective use of CAD and CAM.
Overall, I am really pleased with the amount of knowledge I have learnt during this project and I am satisfied with the final outcome. This project was out of my comfort zone, trained as a silversmith, designing a speaker was a very different task for me to undertake. Using unfamiliar materials/techniques and I think this is evident in the quality of finish of the speaker. I am use to using materials such as silver and wood and have never made a prototype in foam that needs spraying. I was disappointed with the finish of the spray paint and I think if I was to re-make the speaker I would choose to make it in wood. Although I feel the spraying could have been improved, I do think that I did a reasonable job with the filing work I had to do on the lid. I was told that I could manufacture the lid again on the 3D router, but there were no guarantees that it wouldn't move again during manufacture. I felt it was more time effective to fill the lid myself, I also felt in control of what was happening with the work and not reliant on the machine. Coming from a background where all my work is hand-made, I did struggle a little with not having the same involvement with the work. In the future, I think I would want to combine the use of CAM with hand-made manufacture.