Group 15 - Craftsman Weed Whacker

Introduction

Before starting on a major project it is important to understand what you are getting yourself into; this particularly important in a group setting. It is very important to know the strengths and weaknesses of each individual so that it is possible to maximize the group’s effectiveness. In this gate of the project we will go over the approach we will take in disassembling and reassembling our product, we will go over what tools we will need to do this, and address our strengths and weaknesses as individuals and a group as a whole.

Team

Capabilities

Table 1.1 - A short profile of the team members.

Member	Strengths	Weaknesses	Contact Information
Brent Haseley	-Experience with tools and machines -Worked 4 years in warehouse maintenance - Working knowledge of CAD	-Not CAD expert -Very busy with overwhelming schedule and workload for other classes -Used to working on machines in a more casual environment	brenthas@buffalo.edu
Charles Kalbfell	-Quick learner -Proficient writer and editor -Experience working with weed wackers -Works well in a group setting	-Not familiar with 3-D modeling -Poor presentation skills -Issue with time management	cekalbfe@buffalo.edu
Frances Kalbfell	-Good writer -Willing to work hard -Looking forward to working on this project -Some hands-on experience working on weed wackers	-Tendency to wait till the last minute -Limited experience with AutoCAD -No prior experience with website design	francesk@buffalo.edu
James Quirk	-Proficient in CAD and 3-D modeling -Good communicator -Worked in a mechanical engineering field (Power Plant)	-Procrastinator -I have trouble focusing on one task -I am not experienced with tools	jaquirk@buffalo.edu
James Ziccarelli	-Performs confident work with hands when dealing with a product - Has great interpersonal and communication with others - Looks for different learning methods to solve problems - Good problem solving skills and analyzing problems - Creative Thinker	- Not totally efficient with AutoCAD or Pro-Engineer - Busy between school and a part-time job - Keeping paperwork organized	jdz4@buffalo.edu

Roles

Table 1.2 - A brief description of the roles assigned to each group member.

Member	Jobs
Brent Haseley	Documenter: I will be responsible for documenting and photographing every step of the product dissection. Wiki Designer: I will be the person doing most of the maintenance and upkeep on the Wiki page.
Charles Kalbfell	Project Manager: I will be tasked with setting meeting dates, internal group deadlines, resolving conflicts, and keeping the project on track. I will also read over everybody’s reports before submission. It will be up to me to assign different portions of the reposts to each member of the group. Co-Technical Expert: Aiding the main technical expert in any challenges he is faced with.
Frances Kalbfell	Chief Editor: I will be in charge of thoroughly going over everyone’s parts to make sure that they are technically and grammatically correct. I will also have to put all of the parts together in a coherent manner before they are due. Project Compiler: Another of my jobs will require me to be responsible for taking all of the collective data and information and aiding in the management of the group Wiki page.
James Quirk	Communication Liaison: I am in charge of communication between my group members and the instructors. When the group needs a question answered, I am the person who expresses this via email to the instructors. If we set dates for meetings or other group activities, it is my job to enlighten the whole group and keep them up to date on what is going on. Technical Drawer: I am in charge of the doing anything involving CAD or 3-D Modeling. When we figure out the parts during dissection, it is my job to draw them and present them in a professional manner. For the final presentation, I will make sure all of my work fits in with the rest of the group.
James Ziccarelli	Main Technical Expert: I am in charge of the actual product dissection. Will also be responsible for developing a thorough knowledge of the physical product and understanding how it will be reassembled.

Conflict Management

Meetings

• For all gates our group has made plans to meet at least one time each week out of class and lab to ensure that we get the gates done ahead of time.
• Each group member plans on going to the lab at least one time each week.
• The group also meets briefly at the end of every lecture to discuss progress of the project.

Initial Product Assessment

Disassembly Plan

Table 1.3

Part Description	Fastener	Tool Required	Time (minutes)
Muffler Cover	2 Self-Tapping Screws	Phillips Driver	3
Air Filter	2 Machine Screws	Allen Wrench	1
Carburetor (from motor)	2 Machine Screws	Phillips Driver	2.5
Carburetor (from throttle)	2 Bolts and Nuts	Crescent Wrench	2
Spark Plug Ground	Friction	Hand	.5
Engine Cover	8 Machine Screws	Allen Wrench	3
Pull Start Coil	4 Machine Screws	Allen Wrench	2
Shaft Joint Cover	2 Machine Screws	Allen Wrench	1
Hose Clamp	1 Machine Screw	Flat Head Driver	1
Trigger and Housing	1 Machine Screw	Allen Wrench	1
Forward Hand Grip	1 Screw with Knob	Hand	1
Head Guard	2 Self Tapping Screws	Flat Head Driver	2
Head Cap	Friction	Hand	.5
Head	1 Machine Screw	Phillips Driver	.5
Strap Loop	1 Bolt and Nut	Crescent Wrench	1
Total Disassembly Time			21 minutes

(All times listed are with the assumption that all the parts are going to come off easily, however we know that this is not the case and the dissection will indeed take longer than the time we have listed.)

Possible Challenges:

• Several metal components are rusted and may strip easily, delaying our product dissection
• There have been a few home repairs on this product that may force us to deviate from the disassembly plan that would be used on a new product. Most notably, the rear hand grip and trigger line are held together with a hose clamp.
• The product was not in a running state before the project began (gas line was cut and the primer was ripped out), so it is highly unlikely that it will run after reassembly unless replacement parts are installed.
• Due to the restrictions imposed on us for Gate One, we have as yet been unable to inspect the actual engine to determine its condition. A rusted and/or deteriorated engine will hinder dissection

Project Timeline

Table 1.4 - a general timeline of projected project deadlines.

Task	Subtasks	Stating day	Optimal Completion
Gate 1		September 9, 2011	October 10, 2011
Project Management Decisions	Work Proposal Management Proposal	September 12, 2011	September 28, 2011
Project Archeology	Preparation and Initial Assessment Questions	September 30, 2011	October 10, 2011
Gate 2		October 10, 2011	October 26, 2011
Project Management: Preliminary Review	Cause for Corrective Action	October 10, 2011	October 20, 2011
Product Archaeology	Physical Dissection	October 10, 2011	October 17, 2011
Documentation of Dissection	Notes in lab Written up documentation	October 10, 2011 October 10, 2011	October 17, 2011 October 19, 2011
Gate 3		October 26, 2011	November 14, 2011
Project Management: Coordinate Review	Cause for Corrective Action	October 26, 2011	October 30, 2011
Product Archaeology: Product Evaluation	Component Summary Product Analysis Solid Model Assembly Engineering Analysis	October 26, 2011 November 1, 2011 October 26, 2011 October 26, 2011	November 3, 2011 November 12, 2011 November 8, 2011 November 10, 2011
Component Assessment Questions		November 1, 2011	November 12, 2011
Gate 4		November 14, 2011	December 2, 2011
Project Management: Critical Project Review	Cause for Corrective Action	November 14, 2011	November 18, 2011
Product Archaeology: Product Explanation	Product Reassembly	November 14, 2011	November 18, 2011
Design Revisions		November 14, 2011	November 28. 2011
Product Dissection Assessment Questions	November 14, 2011	November 29, 2011
Gate 5		December 2, 2011	December 16, 2011
Project Management: Delivery	Finalization of Deliverables Final Assessment	December 2, 2011 December 2, 2011	December 8, 2011 December 10, 2011
Product Archaeology: Documentation	Technical Report Oral Presentation	December 6, 2011 December 2, 2011	December 12, 2011 December 14, 2011