UNL Making For Innovation: Course MECH 492
Listed are all my projects completed throughout the course.
This course was one of my favorites throughout my time at UNL. I was able to rekindle my passion for tinkering, as well as remind myself with the importance/importance in creating things. We sometimes forget the value in producing things, and the lessons learned along the way are easily applicable to any engineering discipline.
We were tasked with a couple midterm projects, and a final project that incorporated aspects and processes found throughout the midterm projects. The four types of midterm projects were 3D Printing, Laser Cutting, Textiles, and an Arduino I/O System.
Minecraft Chest from Laser Cut Plywood with Arduino Controlled Automatic Locking & Opening/Closing System
Final Project
This project brought a ton of excitement, satisfaction, and learning moments! Three topics this project exposed me to was laser cutting, soldering, and especially Arduino control systems.
I was able to recreate the chest from the popular videogame, Minecraft, through laser cutting 1/8 inch plywood pieces. These all perfectly friction fit together through their finger joints along their edges.
An Arduino control system was programmed and wired to turn an RFID signal input into a lock and open/close output system. Another output is a speaker to play the exact sounds heard in the game when the chest opens and closes.
Finally, custom models were created through SolidWorks and 3D printed (seen in pink) to assist in the Arduino functions. These consisted of mounting both servo motors, the entire locking mechanism, a strike plate to assist in the lid motion, a table to protect the internal wiring of the control system, and a speaker holder.
I am looking forward to continuing to explore and complete more projects that contain these disciplines/topics, or with new ones I have not yet discovered.
Below are the four midterm projects that were completed earlier in the semester.
3D Printing:
Red Nebraska "N"
One midterm project was to utilize a 3D printer to create a 3D object. This prompted me to create a Red N, which was a fun experience. I used to have a 3D printer in high school, but the newer printers the University has to offer are much more capable. This was a fun return to a hobby I have not participated in for awhile.
Textiles/Soft Materials:
Shop Apron
A midterm project was centered around utilize a sewing machine to create something functional. Since our course is located in the workshop, I decided to produce a shop apron from a hearty canvas material. This is a fun, lifelong skill that I should practice more often!
Arduino Input/Output System:
Two Input & Two Output System
This midterm project was the most technically demanding of them all. It was required that an Arduino controller was programmed with two inputs and two outputs. Shown is a control system that has two button inputs and two LED outputs.
Each button input links to either LED output; If you interact with a single button, a single LED will turn on. If both buttons are engaged, so are both LEDs. Presented in the image is the opposite case, where if neither are engaged, neither are the LEDs.
Laser Cutting:
Pencil Box with Finger Joints
The other midterm project required us to create something from laser cut plywood. I didn't have a great way to store my pencils at my desk, so I decided to create this Pencil box to organize them. I utilized finger joints along each edge to connect them, and did some picture engraving to customize it. Go Spurs!
David Lynch
Aspiring Mechanical Engineer
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