Renewable Fragrant Freebie

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A rendered view of the fragrant freebie

The solid model of the design showing the cavity to allow the turbine to swing underneath

Details of Case Study

Details :	Renewable Fragrant Freebie Students will learn how CAD/CAM can be used to design and manufacture a small fragrant freebie. Through participation in the project pupils will boost knowledge in CAD systems involving: sketching, modelling and CAD in the development of new products. Students will also consider the appropriate methods of CNC manufacture for their proposed design including laser cutters, CNC miller/router and rapid prototyping machines. The outcome will be a functional prototype air freshener.
Software :	Pro/DESKTOP
Keystage :	Keystage 4
Year group(s) :	10 and 11
Timescale :	8 weeks including demonstrations of the CAM machinery
Resources :	Internet use for gathering initial ideas
Author :	Peter Eggington Sheffield Hallam University
Approved :	9 Jul 2009, 10:26 am
	* This case study has been specially recommended *

The Unit/Activity Enabled Pupils to:	Teaching Strategies?	Pupil Outcomes
Use the software to generate ideas, develop and model ideas, plan, evaluate	Pupils generate initial ideas through sketching before progressing to CAD. The 'New design in context' can be used to guage an idea of size for additional items such as the turbine etc, allowing students to explore ideas they have. Pupils are encouraged to: produce a detailed 3D model to check fit and aesthetics and use screen dumps into PowerPoint to show periodic developments. The students will plan for manufacture through the Engineering Drawing function (laying out laser cutting templates etc). Evaluation will be done based on the solid modelling and whether the model will function correctly before manufacture.	Gather examples of existing air fresheners from research through the internet and products from home. Investigate the sustainability field and renewable energy for basic ideas before progressing into CAD.
Use the software to consider manufacturing issues	Discussion of tooling issues, speeds and feeds, machining considerations, batch production and waste minimisation. The 'swinging' wind turbine in this example must be sized correctly to ensure a fit between the sides in the base.	Each student should have an understanding of the different CAM machines available and the pro's and cons of each for the required situation.
Use the software to explore cross-curricular links	Introduce pupils to the concepts of sustainability and how CAD/CAM can be used to eliminate wastage in material in consideration for batch production.	'Nesting' introduced to students so that a groups projects can be manufactured at the same time, therefore eliminating waste.
Demonstrate CAD capability for assessment purposes	Introduce the students to the Photo Album element of the software allowing them to produce a realistinc view of how the product will look after modelling has taken place.	Each student will have a 3D solid model and a 3D rendered model of their proposed design, ensuring that learning has taken place and be able to show from their PowerPoint how the project has progressed.