User:Gvsqz/ENES-100/Project 0/CDIO

Problem Statement
Design a fin ray device out of household objects.

The initial design
The initial design was based on a design found online, on the World of Minestorms website. This design was changed in order to fit the dimensions and materials used to build the fin ray.

Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
The original task was to build a fin ray out of low cost household objects. Using straws, tape, and glue, a 15 cm long fin ray device was created. Initially, glue was used to attach the string to the straws, but this was time consuming and ineffective, so tape was used as an alternative.

Modeling, simulation and test
The fin ray was tested to determine whether it would move in the same way as the fin ray device created by Festo. The fin ray was able to move in this way, but it is not stable.

Performance, life cycle cost and value
The fin ray does perform as expected, but it is not stable. As it was made out of household items, the life cycle cost and value are very low.

Maintainability, reliability, and safety
The fin ray was made out of household items, such as tape, straws, and string. Though it is safe to use, it is not long-lasting.

Robustness, evolution, product improvement and retirement
This product could be improved by using different materials. Though the string used to the support the fin ray was flexible, it was not stable enough to maintain the fin ray's shape. Using a different material, such as wire, the fin ray could be stable as well as flexible.

Next Steps
The next step would be to determine ways to make the fin ray device more stable. Using card stock in between the straws, for example, could allow the fin ray to maintain its shape whilst moving. Other things to consider would be different methods for attaching the straws to the strings.