1 Preparing Instructions in ME 2110 Jeffrey Donnell MRDC August 19, 2008

2 Qualities of excellent instructions The assembled device is shown first Drawings use consistent orientation Each step is numbered, with numbers consistently placed Each drawing shows the complete device at the end of the assembly step Assembly steps add only a few components, with each component fully drawn Arrows are used to characterize alignment Subassemblies are also fully drawn, with attention to orientation

3 Lego toy instructions show how to use images

4 Overview of assembled toy is shown first Chair faces user Platform angled to left

5 Demonstrating Alignment

6 Assembly steps (in slide 7) Consistent orientation Few components added Step numbers prominent Did I do it Right? Each drawing shows the entire toy at the end of the step

7 Platform angled to user’s left

8 Final step integrates a subassembly

9 High chair instructions:

10 Three steps are shown on one sheet Foot Seat Bar

11 A single assembly step: three vital pieces of information Orientation Instruction Text cites labels Alignment

12 What to put in your instruction set--I 1.Labeled drawing of the assembled system. 2.Brief description of the assembled system Coordinate with drawings

13 What to put in your instruction set--II 3.How to make Section 1: 1.Drawing of Section 1, 2.Brief description of Section 1, 1.What Materials are used? 2.How are they oriented? 3.How are they fastened? 4.How can the user tell if it’s right? 4.How to make Section 2: 5.How to Make Section 3:

14 What to put in your instruction set--III 6.How to Assemble the Sections: 1.Drawing showing relative orientation of Sections 1, 2 and 3, 2.Text Discussion of Assembly, 1.How are the Sections oriented and fastened? 2.How can the user tell if it’s right? 7.Troubleshooting: 1.What might go wrong, 1.What to do if it does.

15 About Drawings Make your own drawings Label the features or components Number the figures in order of use Provide brief descriptive captions Cite and describe figures in text: “Figure 3 shows…..”

16 A simple drawing

17 Simple Drawings in ppt. Base: 6-noodle bundle Vertical Support: 10 noodle bundle What’s this? How big is it? How tall? How far? Where’s the tape? How much?

18

19 Alignment is important! How do you build this toy?

20 A large orientation problem!

21 Written Reports on this project Abstract Introduction Design 1 Overview –Draw and describe your design Design 1 Discussion –Describe and evaluate results Design 2 Overview –Draw and describe the design you constructed Design 2 Discussion –Describe construction results –Evaluate design and instructions. Closure