COMPANY LOG
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Mousetrap Car Design (rough)
Adequate Design Notes
• Things needed:-
a) Mousetrap
b) Four old CDs which both of them have a bigger diameter than the other two
c) Lightweight wood (Plywood)
d) Screws
e) Rubber materials (Balloons)
f) Steel rods
g) String
• A piece of plywood is cut in side for a mousetrap and screw under the mousetrap as it is light in weight.
• Cut four plywood with are in same small sizes and drill a hole on each of the plywood. These four plywood are used as the holders for the axles of the mousetrap car.
• Wheels for the mousetrap car needed to be build up by using four CDs which are attached by the balloons. These balloons are used so that the CDs can grip the ground. These CDs both of them are having a bigger diameter than another two.
• Install the wheels (CDs) and the axles to the plywood holders. Steel rods are used as the axles for the CDs. Steel rods should be straight and balanced to make sure the mousetrap car can move straight.
• String is joined to the mousetrap to serve as the power of the car. The end of the spring which will be twisted across the axle (steel rod) should be loosening to prevent it to wind back at the end of the travelling.
• Lock down the trap and twist the string around the axles. Release it and the mousetrap car can move for a short distance.
Week 4 Reflections
Phuah Teng Siang
The past 3 weeks has been a totally exhausting but at the same time exciting experience in my life. I’ve never thought that we would have the chance to start our own make-believe engineering firm which is so surreal at the same time, feeling the pressure from datelines and indecisiveness. It all started from a simple ice-breaking session with the group members to thinking of a new name for our very own company. Soon after, we learn that we have a task to design a mousetrap car whilst building a bridge. Among us, we divide into contractors and designers. I was chosen as one of the three contractors in the group, responsible for the construction of the bridge. At first, I have no idea how to construct a bridge out of popsicles which were given by our tutor but after consulting seniors and some web research I find that it is actually possible provided a good teamwork within my group members. Undoubtedly, I notice the chemistry within a team is vital in deciding whether the bridge would be a success or a failure.
Nevertheless, problems and conflicts arise which is why meetings are important. One of the problems we faced was deciding the group name. Each one of us wanted to decide on a name that represents our individualism in the group but couldn’t come to a final verdict which we ended up choosing CURTIN ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION as our group name as CURTIN is the common factor among us. I actually like how my members make discussion in order to reach a decision which is in-line with Curtin’s attribute of Effective Communicators. I learn that a balance of speaking and listening is what makes a good team.
Ng Sheng Shien
During the past 3 weeks, I had learned a lot of things. I learned that creating a company is not an easy task. It requires a lot of time and energy. Hence teamwork is a very important attribute needed by a team to finish the task in a short time. Other than that, I think that communication also plays an important role in making the team functional. Without a good communication between the team members, a lot of problems like dispute and misunderstanding may happen. Besides that, punctuality is also very important. We must finish the task given to us in the time period given to avoid latency in passing up our assignment and also to prevent causing problems to other people in our group. Lastly, I think that it is very important to speak up our mind as our opinion is also very important in helping the company to progress.
The problems I faced while doing the project is time management and some confusion in the tasks given to me. I always have a problem with time management. I tend to spend a lot of time on a certain task without considering the priority of the other tasks. This project has given me a chance to rectify and reflect my weakness. As for the confusion in the tasks given to me, it may be due to the misinterpretation of the tasks given to me. I have started to listen more carefully to the tasks given to me to avoid any confusion again.
Vincent Sia Ker Shiik
In these three week times, I had known each others in my group by introduce ourselves one by one. We decided our group name which is Curtin Engineering and Construction and company logo. We divide ourselves into consultant, designer and contractor.
I learn that we should be teamwork and cooperation to finish the tasks given. We should also be punctual in every meeting so that we can discuss more about the tasks given and finish it before the due date. We should also be brave to speak out our idea although sometimes it might me useless. Communication is also an important part to help us to finish our tasks faster and easier.
The problem that I faced is the time management. I am confusing on the project that we should done. I spend a lot of times to think about the tasks that is divided to me during the group meeting. However, I try my best to finish all my tasks before the due date.
Siah Kian Huat
In these past few weeks, my group and I have done a lot of progress on our project. We have decided on our company’s name and logo, our job as a contractor or designer, our position in the company and the design of our company’s website.
I as a designer learn how to use engineering drawing program AutoCad to draw a draft of our company mousetrap car and team member give me valuable information for designing a good mousetrap car. As a company secretary, I recorded all the meeting minutes and all events happen in meeting such as debate and ideas. At first is very hard to learn from nothing such as AutoCad program but in the process of learning with other team member make the learning easier.
From week 1 till week 3, I was given a chance to realise how important to work in a group (company) each of us doing his own roles and complete within the deadline. Every team member give me a valuable information for designing a mousetrap car.
Nicholas Ivan Petrus
Throughout this project, I have learnt a lot of values. It made me realize what responsibility, teamwork and time management is all about. Other than that, I have observed a number of learning situations and while doing this I took notes on the presence so that it will be easier for to understand each of our opinion and also that I won’t forgot what I’ve learned. On the other hand, there were small misunderstandings too when the meeting was going on, such as accepting the ideas where one gets dissatisfied. Also, I have learnt how to do better research regarding certain topics. As a conclusion, there were pros and cons while doing this current project but then however the pros triumphs over cons.
Dermendhra
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During this semester I have learnt and experienced a lot during my EFPC sessions. Me and my newly met group members worked together effectively as a team and we had regular meetings to discuss on the issues and indecision in the team. During our meetings, I communicated effectively by providing important points to my team members as well as listening to the members when ideas are being brain-stormed. I also gave my full support to my team member by turning up for meeting, prepared and ready to tackle the relevant problems. We divided our task equally among the team member and I was told to do some research on mousetrap car as I am the consultant in the company. I have faced many problems from week 1 till week 3 but I never gave up and consulted my tutors during their respective consultation hours. I feel that ideas and suggestions can be contributed to the team after I truly understand the task I’m assigned. Overall, I think our team chemistry is very good as we have respect for each other’s opinions and works. I only wish we can have more frequent meetings to improve on our production but the hectic timetable doesn’t seem to allow which is why we fully utilise every meeting we have by doing our best during discussions.
