Brad's Reflection

ME250 has been an exceptionally demanding class.  In several ways this was a function of our Team’s ‘bot design (see “Most complicated Design” award), and I understand we brought this on ourselves.

However, the requirements of scheduling shop time, completing milestones, completing labs with homework, blogging, keeping track of all the course communication avenues and data, making videos, scheduling teamwork, going to lectures and labs across campus…this class needs to be worth 2 more credits, should come with a free smart-phone including a ME250-dedicated application, and also several get-out-of-work-free passes for other classes, activities, and jobs.  

Time management has been critical, and I think as a team we were reasonably successful in this realm.  Our ‘bot has been recognized as complex, but as a testament to our time-management we still completed everything on (and even occasionally ahead of) time.  A big thanks goes out to everyone on the Team for not procrastinating…we would never have made it out alive if we hadn’t been on our game every day.  

I greatly enjoyed the design process related material.   Developing creative thought methods is very important.  Ideas on how to capitalize on (and compensate for!) being a very-right brained individual were greatly appreciated.  I crave opportunities to work with a team of dedicated individuals in an environment focused on generating creative solutions to a diverse set of problems, so the presented alternative methods for idea generation and process flow were very interesting.  System-level engineering is a rewarding and natural mode of operation for me; I’m wondering if I should just move back to Providence and transfer to RISD (a joke, although RISD girls are certainly a fascinating bunch). 

Speaking to my tendency to think at a systems level, I would have appreciated more tutelage on the specifics of machine design.  I don’t feel I learned enough about the use of the presented components/systems.  This being a 250-level course I’m guessing (and hoping) there might be a greater focus on such topics in later ME courses, and also projects focusing on specific components.  I also acknowledge that I am a non-traditional student with a background in and deep passion for technology, and my motivations, knowledge base, and desired learning depth are not likely the same as a traditional sophomore. 

As time progressed and I saw the complexity growing I was repeatedly reminded of this chart Professor Hart presented to us:

While we certainly should have been more conscious and avoidant of it I think the ‘bot complexity was a result of the Team’s desire to live up to our team name, and this is a positive thing.  It speaks volumes about our personal expectations and the trust we placed on each other.  Looking back, all I would have done differently is approach system design with a much higher focus on weight optimization.

I’m very glad to have been introduced to 3D CAD, it’s a skill I’ve been missing and wanting to develop for many years.  I wish there were more tutorial sessions on more complex functions available in Solid Works, but I guess that’s what the software’s included help files are for…  The lectures on engineering drawings and tolerance specification were very helpful and the related slides will serve as excellent references in my future projects. 

The production-related portion of this class was huge, and rewarding.  For me it served as a creative outlet, and a much appreciated environment for learning techniques for upping my efficiency and build quality.  I’ve been professionally exploring (and also playing around with) fabrication and assembly techniques for several years and really want to keep expanding my knowledge and skill base in this field.  Learning CAD has been an important step in this!  I really hope I get the opportunity to develop CAM skills in the future.

Overall ME250 has helped me recognize and explore my strengths and weaknesses.  Such an opportunity has not been present at levels this intense and diverse in any other course curriculum. 

Stay On Top,

Brad