Hilal Abusaad Brighter Horizons Academy 1/30/2023 UT Engineer Your World Dual Credit Application Section 1: Need I was tasked with working with my group to develop a pinhole camera design that could be constructed inexpensively, easily replicated, and conveniently for physically challenged individuals. Section 2: Customer need According to the video request, the box's primary users would be persons with physical limitations. It needed to be inexpensive and straightforward to construct, and the film paper utilized would be 4 by 5 inches. Additionally, our instructors informed us that the image's subject would be 10 feet by 10 feet in size. We had to be mindful of the low-cost criterion and the accessibility need. For the film to remain in the proper position throughout transportation, we also had to ensure the box was strong enough to withstand transportation. To hold the film in place, we initially considered using magnets, but we scrapped that plan because We anticipated people would find it challenging to remove the little magnets in a dark space. We chose to use a type of "slide" design in which the film would move between two railings, and the slide itself would go between rails that had been adhered to with hot glue. For simple removal, we opted to add a loop of string at the very end. To finish, I've realized over this process that it was more complicated than anticipated to incorporate principles accessible to people with disabilities was more complex than expected. I also learned that prioritizing customer demands is crucial in creating a successful product. All information about the pinhole design was organized in our Know/Need to know table, written in my engineering notebook (Figure 2.1). Section 3: Brainstorm Brainstorming and starting a task with an open mind, ready to accept and reject ideas, is a crucial mindset to have as a mind of an engineer. I started brainstorming with my partner, but we soon faced a dilemma. We wanted to find a technique to lightproof our box despite having a flap that required it to be opened for the slide to pass through. Initially, we thought about duct-taping everything, but it would be difficult to open the flap. We decided to duct tape the box's edges and used velcro to secure the flap so that it would be simpler to frequently open and close. We generated this idea from brainstorming with the other groups we sat with and thought of it as a great idea a classmate of mine thought of. We painted the inside black to avoid the risk of light rays reflecting off the camera's walls. We were under pressure to finish the box by the deadline since we needed to cut off the flap for the slide and couldn't work on the box while the paint was still wet. The methods we employed to darken our box were largely successful. The multiple layers of duct tape kept the box light-tight while preserving its durability and transportability. Our group's main achievement was resolving the problem of light leaking into the box, which was our team's strength. One of our main weaknesses was the ability to plan and manage our time. The next time, we should lay out our goals and estimate how long it will take to complete each component. Planning more efficiently and being more organized using planners, and making to-do lists helped us, in the long run, to be efficient and organized. It would benefit any group in the future and is an excellent note to keep in mind. A mind map was developed in cooperation between my teammate and me (Figure 3.1). We had many ideas about various subjects, including what box to use, how the aperture would function, and how to light-tight the box. We used the mindmap to brainstorm, plot down ideas, and be as open-minded as possible. We decided to use the mind map as a canvas and idea bank, drawing from the concepts we had simply added to the mind map. We also created an Activity Diagram and AFQ table to help us even more with organization and info before we begin building (Figures 3.3 and 3.4). While some concepts required little change, others required some modification. For example, instead of using cardboard for the railing to hold the rail in place, it was more intelligent and more efficient to take a strip of hot glue and create a line instead. After making a mind map, my partner and I began C-Sketching early concepts for the box (Figure 3.2). We each completed one individually before working together on the final piece. We made sure to include the three ideas from our mind map described above in the designs. My partner's design was more toward accessibility and resilience. However, my design had an advantage over my partners when it came to the film loading mechanism while also incorporating user-friendliness. After sketching which one we would use as the basis for our final design, we both decided. There were three different sketches, one from mine, my partner, and a combination. We chose to implement my design and incorporate elements from the other plans. We determined that the film loading process was the most practical and straightforward to replicate of the three ideas. Next time, instead of focusing on the small details, we should focus on the components that will make our product exceptional. Our ability to address the light-tightness issue during the design process is a strength. On the other side, appropriately integrating accessibility into our box was one of our weaknesses. There wasn't much we had to offer the physically challenged in terms of accessibility except for a loop to pull for the film-loading mechanism and a loop to hold the box. We could have developed a more sturdy handle if we were able to with materials and time management. Section 4: Create The Pinhole camera construction was the project's longest and most challenging part. We ran into many problems and issues with our designs. We changed lots of different features. To begin with, between my partner and I’s designs, we opted to follow through with mine. We decided to sketch out our intended box's design and measurements. (Figure 4.1) It better fit all the criteria and was more appropriate for the need. We were satisfied with the design selection, and we began to construct. The main design change was the way our film was to be loaded. Beforehand, we wanted to use the magnets as a secure way to hold the film and secure it. With the materials at our disposal and time, we realized it would be an insecure way to hold our film. Instead, we redesigned our ideas from scratch completely and adopted a brand-new innovation. We decided to construct a hatch and a sliding mechanism using a rail. We would then attach a string to it for easier use for the disabled. However, to begin with, the construction of the pinhole camera starts with a simple shoe box and is lightproof as we can with duct tape. Another obstacle we faced was to spray paint the box's interior. Our box inside was white, and we realized to produce a successful image, it was required to spray paint the interior of the box itself. (Figure 4.2) It shows me spray painting the box. On top of that light proofing, the box was rigid. It took lots of ducts and electrical tape to lighten the box entirely. After dozens of tries, it seemed like the box would just keep letting in light somehow. Eventually, using flashlights inside the box, it finally became lightproof. Next up was the creation of the aperture. The aperture lens was created from a cutout strip from a soda can bottle with a hole punctured by a needle which would be sandpapered down till smooth. After that, we followed up by cutting a square hole in our shoe box more petite than the aperture cutout we created and duct-taped it onto the box, making our aperture stick on the box. We had to measure the diameter of the hole after it was made. To determine the F-number, we had to divide the pinhole's diameter by the box's focal length after determining its diameter. An exposure timetable for F-numbers was provided to us by our teachers. We recorded the table in our notebooks along with our calculations (Figure 4.3). We then decided that 75 seconds was a good exposure time. We are heading toward the slide and rail system that will hold the film in place (Figure 4.4). Making a cutout on the side of the box that is larger than the cardboard we used to make the cutout and capable of holding 4 by 5-inch film would be the first step in using this method, which would be more effective and secure. We inserted a cardboard strip to stabilize and ensure the film wouldn't fall out. Making this required accuracy, and on our initial attempt, the film holder was too small for the film paper. To give the film paper more room, we had to pull off the support and reposition it. We utilized hot glue guiding wires to hold up the railing within the box that held the film. Then, we produced a flap to close in on the opening for the film using velcro strips(Figure 4.5). Finally, our construction was coming to an end. We rechecked the light tightness of the box using a flashlight. It was time to test our creation. After going up against deviations from our original sketch, we finally created our product. Our testing took 1 try. However, our first load of the film got lost inside our box, needing a second film. However, we didn't begin developing at that time. We then took the picture being one of the last people to finish. We achieved a clear image on our first try (Figure 4.6). Our design met all the requirements asked for the customer's needs, even with slight design changes (Figure 4.7). Our design approach was more challenging to duplicate and required too much time to construct, given our time constraints. Also, how the film was loaded wasn't in line with the degree of accessibility we aimed for with this project. On the other hand, our earlier design, which included two loops instead of the one we ultimately chose, provided a more solid holding for the film and a more stable mode of transportation. I believe within the time given, and we were able to come up with an exceptional product. We faced many obstacles and were able to overcome and improvise along this journey. Section 5: Communicate After using the pinhole camera to take a clear, sharp picture and obtaining a high-quality photograph, the most challenging part of the adventure was finally over. Now, it's time to document and share this information around. This is just as important as the production process because you still need peer feedback and suggestions, even with a beautiful product. We documented everything to look back and understand why we made particular decisions or revisions and what design decisions didn't work out. We recorded this in our engineering notebooks and reflected upon them (Figure 5.1). We discovered that time management and planning should come first before beginning any other processes. This lesson applies not only to this project but to all other projects in the future. Those 2 factors are crucial to having a successful product and everything running smoothly. In engineering, I've realized it's okay not to follow the rules, and you can take different paths and do things differently than another group and still be okay. You can work your way through, improvise, and most importantly, I've learned not everything is perfect. Making mistakes is key to growth, and documenting all of these processes and reflections will be beneficial to look upon in the future when dealing with future projects. (Figures 5.2 and 5.3 include Builder and user instructions) which are reported to show others our process and an excellent way to communicate our steps. Section 6: Reflection During this first task, I’ve been put up against using Engineering skills. There were ups and downs, and it's always wise to take a significant task and split it up. Teamwork is necessary, and trusting in one another is core and what differentiates you from others. Problems are needed in a process, it was almost as if we wanted issues. Issues help us reflect and learn; we learn things like how there won't always be a teacher doing everything for you or fixing everything you do incorrectly in the real world. Instead, it's time to learn how to improvise yourself. My partner and I had no idea how we would secure the film, or how it would appear. To begin building the slide we constructed, we had to go and analyze what we were aiming for and how we would achieve it. The slide took multiple tries to fit inside the box, we even had to reconstruct it until it would fit after we tried to test it and failed. On top of that, We found it confusing how we were supposed to make this disability friendly. To solve this issue, we decided to be more open-minded and put ourselves in the shoes of those who are disabled so we really understand what would be most viable to their need. I had no clue how the customer wanted it, but sometimes you need to think outside the box. You need to deliver your customer's demands and not what you choose. Also, a plan for what you seek in your design process is essential. We concluded that we should first light-proof the box's bottom, attach the pinhole, build the slide and rail, tape the whole thing together, and start testing. Only after we divided the complex issue into manageable components did we begin to move the project as a whole forward. When building the slide, we ran into problems that were a make-it-or-break-it type situation. Our film securer was too small, and we ran out of ideas, so we reconstructed it. In engineering, it's okay not to follow the rules, go back, and skip around places as long as your product ends up at its best. All of these mistakes can be reflected upon for future use and in future projects. And hopefully, this will make all engineering-related issues in the future much simpler.
