Gate Two: Preliminary project review
Contents |
Introduction
Gate two constituted the bulk of the project -- the disassembly, cataloging the process, and reflection. The group adhered to the gannt chart's proposed deadlines and was able to disassemble the scooter well before the gate's deadline. The non-technical aspect of the phase involved enumerating the process the group used to take the scooter apart and reflecting on how the group worked and what the group could have done more efficiently.
Causes for Corrective Action
The plan for disassembly was well-planned and successful. We did not diverge from the gannt chart at all, and both our division of labor and plan for dissection were executed without any major mishaps. All in all, our management and work proposals worked very well.
The original proposal called for the disassembly to begin immediately. As planned, group 30 met up and collected the electric scooter from the lab as soon as they were allowed in the lab. During the first few meetings, the group disassembled the scooter into a few major parts such as the frame, the handlebars, and the wheels. They began removing the easiest part; the seat post. They were careful not to misplace small parts and immediately placed screws and nuts into labeled bags. To facilitate the scooter’s eventual reassembly, the group planned ahead and enumerated the steps taken so that backtracking would be a viable method to return every piece to its correct place. The majority of the scooter was disassembled by hand and with tools that were included in the box. On the final day of disassembly, they borrowed three wrenches from the lab and a set of Allen keys.
The group digressed from the specified plan by not meeting every day that had a meeting planned. They were supposed to meet every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday after MAE277 to work on the dissection as well as on Saturdays. The reason for the meetings being canceled was due to the fact that no more work needed to be done to stay on the specified track.
The group stayed on track, and as such, there were no necessary revisions to the plan.
Product Dissection Plan
Difficulty Scale, 1 → 3
- Difficulty = 1
- Straightforward disassembly
- Minimal force required with or without tool
- Difficulty = 2
- Requires intuition and planning
- Has multiple steps involved to detach
- Difficulty = 3
- Require excessive force to remove
- Difficult to remove even with tools
- Requires critical thinking to detach
Challenges Faced
Group 30 encountered several difficulties on the track to full disassembly of the electric scooter. Many components of the product were very difficult if not impossible to remove. For example, they were able to unscrew the screws from the motor cap but after doing so, the top could not be removed. The controller was easy to disconnect from the main frame and other major components such as the handlebar and the motor. However, after unscrewing the top, the group was unable to disassemble the controller further because a hard gel surrounded all the components. The third difficulty encountered was that the tires were unable to be removed from the metal axle.
Fasteners and Functions
- Washers/Nuts
- "Locking" device to lock in screws
- Retain tension
- Clamps
- Used to hold bigger components together tightly
- Vertical and horizontal handlebars
- Clamps seat cushion to vertical seat bar
- Used to hold bigger components together tightly
Tools Required
There were no special tools required.
- Screwdriver
- Used to unscrew different size screws
- Hands
- Used to remove easily detachable components
- Wrench
- Used to remove various bolts
- Allen Wrench
- Used to remove hexagonal screws
- Pliers
- Used to attempt to dislodge motor cap
- Used to remove handlebar covers
Steps for Dissection
| Step | Tools Required | Overall Difficulty (1 → 3) | Picture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Removal | Phillips Head Screwdriver Size = 1 | 1 |  |
| Handlebar Removal | Phillips Head Screwdriver Size = 1
Wrench |
3 |  |
| Motor Removal | Phillips Head Screwdriver Size = 1
Allen Wrench |
2 |  |
| Wheel Removal | Phillips Head Screwdriver Size = 1
Wrench Size = 15 mm |
2 |  |
Is the product intended to be taken apart easily?
The product is intended to be serviceable, so there are components that are clearly meant to be taken apart. For example, the seat is intended to be removed so that the scooter can be ridden standing up. There are directions for the removal of the front and rear wheels, reflector, and battery in the manual in case anything needs to be fixed. The components not meant to be disassembled were easy to identify. The controller was filled with a solid gel to prevent corrosion, so it was impossible to disassemble. The motor, similarly was put together in such a way that it was also impossible to take apart.
