Transforming TVET through Applied Research and STEM integration

The Integration of STEM to Retrofit Selected Bird Nesting Units for a Pet Store in Kingston Jamaica

Presenters: Richard SamuelsMiguel Newman

STEM in Design & Manufacturing

This research will show STEM integration in the design and manufacture of nesting units at FELS Utech for third stream income generation

Background

Nesting units are used by birds to lay their

eggs, keep them warm and protected all the

way to birth.

Design ideas much like eggs should be first

conceived, then fertilized and developed to

provide meaningful tangible outputs.

Background

Defected nesting units:• Cockatiel • Lovebird• Budgie• Finch

Background Grooves

Poorly designed slide mechanism

Poor fastening technique Protruding brads

Background In response to the observation, the

researchers engaged the proprietor with an offer to retrofit the 4 existing nesting units.

Three (3) weeks following this dialogue, the proprietor consented to the offer.

Objectives 1. Retrofit 4 nesting units using design,

efficient production techniques;

2. Incorporate recycled timber to fabricate components of the units and

3. Provide income opportunities for needy students.

APPLIED RESEARCH

The project employed an Applied Research

(AR) design. According to Leedy and

Ormond (2010) this approach can be

used to inform human decision making

about practical problems.

STEM INTEGRATION

There is a policy shift that financial stability

is directly proportional to innovation and

creativity in science, technology,

engineering and mathematics (STEM)

STEM INTEGRATION

West (2013) postulates that education and

training as an evolving design process,

creates the infra-structure to produce a

technologically savvy workforce.

STEM MODEL

STEM

Science

Technology

Engineering

Mathematics

SCIENCE IN MATERIAL SELECTION

The nesting units were constructed using durable

material to satisfy:

1. design capabilities;

2. the nesting environment;

3. durability

4. cost effectiveness, and

5. Improve aesthetic qualities.

SCIENCE IN MATERIAL SELECTION

The use of ¼” plywood material was recommended. This led to studies to ascertain and justify plywood capabilities to meet the design standards.

SCIENCE IN MATERIAL SELECTION

The research reveal that plywood choice for

nesting units are of 2 categories:

High-hazard interior (warm and damp)

Low-hazard exterior (dry conditions)

SCIENCE IN MATERIAL SELECTION

The plies are glued with synthetic resin,

making a very strong composite material,

The grain of each ply is positioned at

ninety degrees to the pieces of ply above

and below it,

It is less likely to warp or split.

(Ryan, 2010).

SCIENCE IN MATERIAL SELECTION

The cross laminated construction of

plywood ensures that plywood sheets

remain relatively stable under changes of

temperature and moisture.

SCIENCE IN MATERIAL SELECTION

It has high strength and stiffness to

weight ratios,

Has been proven to be very cost effective

to use for structural applications.

It does not corrode.

(Wood Solutions, 2013).

SCIENCE IN MATERIAL SELECTION

The selection of fasteners such as brad nails

and synthetic resin were used to connect the

pieces.

Brad nail is useful for attaching thin strips

of wood.

Smaller gauge nail produces less splitting. 

SCIENCE IN MATERIAL SELECTION

Properties of synthetic resin are:

High bond strength

Water-resistant bonding

Heat resistance

Transparent glue joint

Resistant to ageing

TECHNOLOGY AS A PROCESS

According to Khemani (2008), putting your

vision in an actual design requires the

incorporation of technology - application of

design principles.

TECHNOLOGY AS A PROCESS

Technology is the purposeful application

of information in the:

design, 

production, 

utilization of goods and services and

the organization of human activities.

TECHNOLOGICAL PROCESS CHARTPROCESS CHART FOR THE BIRD NEST PROJECT

TECHNOLOGICAL SITUATION/PROBLEM

ANALYSIS AND INVESTIGATION

SOLUTIONS

CHOSEN SOLUTION

FUNCTION SHAPE AND FORM MATERIALS SHAPING AND FORMING JOINTING STRENGTH SURFACE FINISH FITTINGS SAFETY ECONOMICS

NOTES AND GRAPHS

MODEL OR PROTOTYPE

WORKING DRAWINGS

MAKE & TEST

APPRAISAL REPORT

REALISATION

NOTES

GRAPHICS

NOTES

DESIGN BRIEF

TECHNOLOGY AS A PROCESS

The tools used in the design phase of the

project include but are not limited to CAD)

& Sketchup software.

TECHNOLOGY IN DESIGN

In product and industrial design, CAD is

used mainly for the creation of detailed 3D

solid or surface models, or 2D vector-based

drawings of physical components.

TECHNOLOGY IN DESIGN

CAD is also used throughout the

engineering process from conceptual design

and layout of products, through to strength

and dynamic analysis of assemblies.

(Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software

Inc., 2014).

TECHNOLOGY IN DESIGN

In relation to 3D rendering, both Watson

(2011) and Bacus (2013) agree that Google

SketchUp provides the platform to easily

create 3D models.

TECHNOLOGY IN DESIGN

FINCH - MULTIVIEW DRAWING & MODEL

TECHNOLOGY IN DESIGNBUDGIE - MULTIVIEW DRAWING & MODEL

TECHNOLOGY IN DESIGN

LOVEBIRD - MULTIVIEW DRAWING & MODEL

TECHNOLOGY IN DESIGN

ENGINEERING IN FABRICATION

The use of synthetic resin (ponal) as an

additional fastener was incorporated to

improve the strength of the joint for the

parts of the nesting unit.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

Cutting

Shaping

Assembling

Finishing

Quality inspection

In order to achieve a level of efficiency in mass production, special templates/jigs were built and installed on selected machines to enable:cutting of partsboring of entrance and pin holesshaping the sides of members andproducing dowels.

ENGINEERING IN FABRICATION

Special template were also used to aid in the assembling of the units.

Other means are being explored to:

find even more efficient ways to: save on production time, and energy utilization.

ENGINEERING IN FABRICATION

CUTTING

Cutting procedure Shaping of Nesting unit parts

SHAPING

Shaping of dowels

ASSEMBLING

Parts for assembly

ASSEMBLING Attaching parts

FINISHING

Sanding Attaching Screw hooks

QUALITY INSPECTION

Inspection of boxes End product

CREATIVITY through RECYCLING

Lean manufacturing techniques were used to

minimize material waste.

Recycling waste from

Storage bins also reduces

cost.

APPLICATION OF MATHEMATICS IN DESIGN FOR FABRICATION

The number of units that could be produced from each plywood sheet was calculated using the area method:

Steps:1. Calculate area for 1 sheet of ply.

2. Calculate the total area of parts for a single nesting unit, and

3. Divide the area of the plysheet by the area of the nesting unit.

MATHEMATICS IN DESIGN AND FABRICATION

EXAMPLE:

1. Given that the area of a sheet of Ply of length 2400 mm x width 1200 mm is = 2,880,000 mm2 (thickness is standard)

2. and the combined/total area for all the parts of a Finch box is = 56,875 mm2

3. Therefore, total number of finch boxes =

2,880,000 mm2 ÷ 56,875 mm2 = 50.6 Units

Nesting units created since November 2011 – 2015

2011 2012 2013 2014 20150

100

200

300

400

500

600

110

518498

512

172

Nesting Units

Nesting Units

MATHEMATICS - Graphs

MATHEMATICS IN COSTING

The total number of nesting units created since November 2011 – 2015 is 1810 units combined.

MATHEMATICS IN COSTING

23%

30%

47%

Cost analysis

labour costoverheadprofit

Benefits of STEM

• STEM may be considered as a prime vehicle to foster Innovation and Creativity in intellectual thought

• This will ensure that students gain the requisite skills to function effectively in the global marketplace.

Benefits of STEMIn the Utech context:

The STEM approach assures skill development of learners through the systematic method employed.

Learners will be more exposed to the manufacturing industry

standards and not just teacher training methodology.

This would mean that TVET institutions

should focus on production-based training.

Benefits of STEMIn the Utech context:

It provides additional funds to purchase small tools and equipment for the construction laboratory.

It provides students with a stipend (to assist with lunch, stationary items etc. and assistance with their school tuition.

REFERENCE Bacus J, SketchUp Team (2013). Introducing SketchUp

Make [Internet]. Retrieved from http://sketchupdate.blogspot.com/2013/05/reintroducing-sketchup-make.html [Accessed 11th April 2014].

Environment Protection Authority, (2012). Recycle Wood Pallets and Save [Internet]. Available at http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/resources/warr/120360bwstwood.pdf [Accessed 21st April 2014].

Fitzgerald V, (2014, April 10). Lean and information technology: finding the right balance. Lean Management Journal, Pp. A.

Fix-it Club, (1998). Plywood [Internet]. Retrieved from http://home.howstuffworks.com/plywood.htm [Accessed 15th April 2014].

 

REFERENCE McGivern, H. M and Stiber A, (2013). Lean Manufacturing Techniques.

Development Dimensions International [Article]. Retrieved from https://www.ddiworld.com/DDIWorld/media/white-papers/leanmanufacturingtechniques_wp_ddi.pdf?ext=.pdf [9th March 2014]

 JU Flooring, (2009). What Is Recycled Timber And Why Should I Use It? [Internet]. Available at http://juflooring.com.au/what-is-recycled-timber-and-why-should-i-use-it/ [Accessed 21st April 2014].

Khemani H, (2008). Benefits of using the CAD Software [Internet]. Retrieved from http://www.brighthubengineering.com/cad-autocad-reviews-tips/17593-benefits-of-using-the-cad-software/ [Accessed 27th March 2014].

Marais L. and Botes L, (2006). Income generation, local economic development and community development: paying the price for lacking business skills? Oxford Journals. Volume 42, Issue 3 Pp. 379-395.

REFERENCE Ryan V, (2010). Plywood [Internet]. Retrieved from

http://www.technologystudent.com/joints/plywood1.html [Accessed 15th April 2014].

Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc., (2014). CAD / Computer-Aided Design [Internet]. Retrieved from http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/plm/cad.shtml [Accessed 10th April 2014].

Watson A, (2011). SketchUp [Article]. Retrieved from http://download.cnet.com/SketchUp/3000-6677_4-10257337.html [9th May 2014]

West P, (2013, April 7). Cultivating A National Agenda In STEM: Jamaica Gleaner, Pp. 2A.

WoodSolutions, (2013). Plywood [Internet]. Retrieved from http://www.woodsolutions.com.au/Wood-Product-Categories/Plywood [Accessed 10th April 2014].

End of Presentation