Assignment

The last few years have seen a number of devastating natural disasters, ranging from the Tsunami in the Indian Ocean to the Kashmiri earthquake. Each of these disasters requires a huge expenditure to ensure the minimum loss of life. The acute phase of recovery is the most widely publicised, but the ongoing, chronic, phase can last months or years where people need to live in poorer accommodation without the facilities that would normally be taken for granted. Your project is to research, design and (at least) model a product that can have a positive humanitarian impact in the aftermath of a natural disaster. This may range from a hand-powered mini-crane for rescue teams to a solar powered water purifier.

An alternative design project would be to look at a product to support the Physically Disadvantaged, such as motorised attachment for wheelchairs etc. or general product to improve everyday life.

You will be expected to draw on all aspects of this course and be able to demonstrate this in your assessment. You will be expected to research the product (need, potential market and competition) thoroughly and use sound design principles to reduce a number of possible solutions down to one that will be developed fully.

The group size should around 5-people. You should submit the names of people in your group by the end of week 18 together with the nature of the product you are working on and what you see as the initial project scope, no more than two sides.

Report should include minutes of project review meetings as the project progresses. The report should contain all of the above elements with clear drawings and text. You should try to use as many of design tools as possible for this project.

The investigation should include: -
Project Plan for the project for the group
Market research
Assessment of the market
Appraisal of the competition
Design specification
Criteria by which the product is to be judged and placed in ranking order.
Safety requirements etc (regulation or standards)
Consider IPR
Possible solution and evaluation
Final Design proposal
Product Design Specification.
Manufacturing Methods
FEA Analysis - Product Verification
Full design and detail of the product. (3D models and detail drawings) together with possible prototypes.

Your report will be submitted to the Faculty of Technology Advisory Centre office (FOTAC).