1. Roller Coaster Design Project
Lab 01: Coaster Project Introduction

2. Introduction
The roller coaster design project uses a nylon ball, two parallel plastic tube tracks, and PVC pipes and connectors in the construction of a scale model roller coaster. In addition, the coaster feature an open-design ‘Add-On’ project
Introduce the concept of Advanced Energy Vehicles (AEVs), described above, and the design/build project. Refer to the Grand Challenges: Alternative energy sources, and the research and development to harness and use the energy efficiently is on the top of the list of the Grand Challenges for Engineers of the 21st Century – as determined by a committee of the National Academy of Engineering.
The overall objective for the AEV design/build project is to introduce the students the concepts of energy efficiency and energy management through the team oriented multidisciplinary design and operation of a small autonomous vehicle.
Example Coasters

3. Coaster Project Objectives
Project Management and Teamwork
Time management, task scheduling, communication, etc.
Design Process and Cycle
Project proposal process
Identifying requirements/constraints, brainstorming, initial designs, build/test/analyze, final design, etc.
Project Documentation
Project notebook, design review phase documents, final reports, etc.
There are three (3) main objectives to the AEV project.
Project Management and Teamwork:
To successfully bring any complex project to completion requires proper planning and the coordinated effort of a group of people
Expected to produce related documents such as a project schedule and team meeting records, all of which must be regularly updated and kept in the team project notebook (discussed next week)
Design Process and Cycle:
Process includes: identifying the project requirements and constraints, gathering background information, brainstorming, identification and management of materials, preliminary analysis & initial design, and the build/test/modify/document cycle
As part of this process, you will brainstorm initial concepts of your AEV, produce a preliminary design of your AEV, document revisions as they occur, and produce a final paper design that accurately reflects your final AEV design
Review Engineering Design Process material from 1181
Project Documentation:
Documentation consists of three parts: the team project notebook, the oral presentation and the final written report.
The team project notebook is the complete documentation of the AEV project, which will be reviewed on a weekly basis. It should contain lab documentation, paper design, team meeting minutes, project management documents, and anything else of importance relating to the AEV. The final technical oral presentation is an overview of your AEV design. The final written report is a complete summary of all aspects of your design.
The requirements for each of these are described during the design project.
Other references are: Tools and Tactics of Design and A Guide to Writing as an Engineer.

4. Coaster Project Timeline

5. Important Dates Event/Document Due Date RFP Release Today
Initial Proposals Due
Monday, Week 3
Initial Design Document
Friday, Week 4
R&D Parts Order
Monday, Week 5
Final Design Document
Friday, Week 7
Primary Parts Order
Project Review 1
Friday, Week 9
Final Parts Order
Monday, Week 11
Project Review 2
Friday, Week 12
System Test
Monday, Week 15
Coaster Contest
TBD
Project Notebook
Reading Day

6. Coaster RFP RFP = ‘Request For Proposal’
Document prepared and released by any entity looking for bids to have engineering work done
For this class, the instructor releases the RFP and is the ‘client’
Every team produces a Proposal in response to the RFP
Proposals should consider all information in RFP
Proposals should address any questions, concerns, or needs laid out in the RFP
General outline given on the next slide
Review definition provided above.
Design review phases are used, to various degrees, within industry and department of defense components
The most commonly known are the Preliminary Design Review and the Critical Design Review.
The review phases relevant to, and important for, the AEV project are listed on the following slides.

7. General Proposal Outline
Introduction
Quick summary of what the team is planning. Sell your idea!
Background
Show the client you know and understand their industry
Project Description
Overview of your coaster layout, key features, points of interest to client. Sell your creativity!
Overview of what your proposed add-on will do. Motivation for such an add-on. Sell your ideas!
Project Requirements
Summary of what your team will need to get the job done. This includes a list of needed resources, a budget for same, and a detailed timeline
Summary of what your team brings to the table that will make the project a success (Sell yourselves!).
Addressing Key Issues
Answer any and all questions posed in the RFP that are not otherwise addressed
Closing
Formal Sign-off and point-of-contact information
The Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and the Critical Design Review (CDR) are the major milestones for the AEV project.

8. Design Documents The Design Documents serve two primary purposes
They convert the proposed coaster and add-on into a formal target for your group to work towards
They serve as an agreement between your group and your instructor as to what work you will do in your project, and what will be considered a successful completion of the project.
The Initial Design Document is a draft of the Final Design Document
After turning in the initial document, comments from the instructor should be considered in the final document.
Systematic view of the design review phases.

9. Parts Orders
There are three opportunities for your group to order parts for your coaster throughout the semester
R&D, Primary and Final parts orders
Details can be found in the primary project document
At this time, parts may only be ordered from digikey.com or amazon.com
You may use your own parts in your coaster, however they still count against your total budget (see RFP, project document)

10. Project Reviews
There are two project reviews during the semester. These serve as opportunities for your instructor to evaluate your progress
Reviews happen during lab time
They will be brief - no more than a few minutes
They are graded based on acceptable progression of the project as defined in your proposal timeline

11. System Test
The last day of class, coasters will be graded during the system test
Every group will be given three runs, with the highest scoring run counting
Details on grading can be found in the main project document on the EEIC course page
Additional points can be earned via the optional coaster contest held during finals week. See the main project document for more details

12. Coaster Contest
During finals week, all 1182 groups from all sections at OSU Marion may optionally participate in the Coaster Contest. Full details found in main project document.
Event is open to the public
An brief oral presentation is required to participate
Dress will be business casual
Date is TBD at this time

13. Project Notebook
The primary document for the 1182 class is the project notebook
Should be present at all group meetings (including class!)
Acts as a record of all group activity (brainstorming, code generation, lab activities, etc)
Significant contributor to your final grade
Subject to pass/fail spot checks
Due on the reading day before finals week

14. Coaster Kit Components
This is when AEV kits are distributed to the student teams

15. Coaster Kit Components
Shared Components
Speed Sensor Reader
Development Arduino Boards
Development Servos
Kit Components
PVC Pipes & Fittings
Track
Speed Sensors and cables
Nylon Balls
PVC Pipes
These components are to stay in the classroom at ALL times
Two (2) sets of AEV components:
AEV-Kit (Student teams responsibility to bring to class). Students must be made aware of the DISCLAIMER, and
Classroom components are to NEVER leave the classroom and are shared by all teams at respective tables.

16. Arduino Kits
Every student must have an Arduino development kits as detailed in the project document
May be purchased new (check Amazon) or used
Must include sensors (at least 2) and motors (at least 1), as well as more basic components (at least some LEDs, resistors and switches)
Should be brought to all labs and build sessions
Ask if you have any questions or are looking for an exception to these requirements!

17. 3-D Printing The lab has two 3-D printers available for your use
Parts must be submitted to instructor electronically, with clear indication of print parameters
Part cost must be approved by group prior to printing
Parts are printed in the order they are received
Parts may be rejected for poor quality, excessive printing/size, etc
Be aware that prints can take a long time (hours).
3D Printing and Laser Cutting will be discussed later but is an option for students to help promote creativity and innovation !

18. Questions?