Abstract[edit | edit source]
The purpose of this project is to create a wedging table that will be used in Zane Middle School's Art class. The Imagineers team created and designed a wedging table to provide a reliable and efficient area to wedge clay. The Imagineers was formed as part of Cal Poly Humboldt's Engineering 215: Introduction to Design class, taught by Camille Penny.
Background[edit | edit source]
Cal Poly Humboldt's Engineering 215: Introduction to Design provides its class with experience in design projects, team building, and communication skills. The Imagineers team was formed as part of an assignment for Engineering 215. The team's task was to provide Zane Middle School with a wedging table for their Art class. The team members include Oscar Bermudez, Shaela Hogue, Vincent Hurtado, and Erin Pyne.
Problem Statement[edit | edit source]
The objective of this project was to provide Zane Middle School with a portable area to wedge clay. The Imagineers designed a wedging table that can be portable and is also able to be stationary when in use, the table also provides storage and a side ledge to place dry clay.
Criteria[edit | edit source]
Below is a table listing and defining the criteria that was considered when choosing the projects' final design.
| Criterion | Definitions |
|---|---|
| Safety | The table should not contain any toxic chemicals or sharp metal. |
| Sturdiness | The table should not teeter over, wood and metal must be securely attached throughout the table, and the locking casters must be able to remain locked. |
| Portability | The table should move, and be able to lock in place. |
| Durability/Longevity | The table should need little maintenance, and should be able to withstand minor wear and tear. |
| Cost | The cost for materials that compose the table cannot exceed the amount of $300; this includes $75 per group member. |
| Environmental Impact/Sustainability | Reusable items would be preferable to construct the table. |
| Aesthetics | The table needs to be aesthetically appealing. |
Description of final project[edit | edit source]
The Delphi Method was used to choose a design from the many alternative solutions created. The Delphi Method is where each one of the alternative designs is given scores in categories corresponding to each criterion. The Delphi Method uses a matrix with this data to give each design a respective score. The design with the greatest raking would be chosen as the final design. The solution with the greatest ranking was "Wedge and a Ledge" design (right). This design meets the project criteria most appropriately. It is appealing, affordable, made of durable materials, uses materials with low impact to the environment, portable, is one of the safer alternatives, and is reinforced with three crossbars which provide it with support.
Costs[edit | edit source]
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Below and is a table showing the cost of the materials used along with the grand total (the total does not include the value of materials that were donated). Figure 4 shows the amount of hours spent in each phase of the design project along with the total amount of hours.
| Material | Source | Cost ($) | Quantity | Total ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum posts | Arcata Scrap | 7.50 | 2 | 15.00 |
| Casters | Ace Hardware | 7.99 | 4 | 31.96 |
| Hinges | Ace Hardware | 5.39 | 4 | 21.56 |
| Micellaneous Hardware & etc. | Ace Hardware | NA | 1 | 32.76 |
| Screws for Casters | Ace Hardware | .22 | 16 | 3.52 |
| Screws for plaster box | Ace Hardware | NA | 16 | NA |
| Wood | Donated by Almquist Lumber | NA | 2 boards, 2 sheets of plywood | NA |
| Wood glue | Donated by Almquist Lumber | NA | 1 | NA |
| Plaster of paris | Client | 21.00 | 3 | 63.00 |
| Total Cost | $168 | |||
Testing Results[edit | edit source]
The original design that was chosen was modified along the way to improve any of the obstacles that were encountered. Some of the things that were adjusted were the replacement of shelves instead of drawers. An implementation of a latch on the caster mechanism improved its portability capability.
How to build[edit | edit source]
| How To Build Wedge and a Ledge | |
|---|---|
| Image | Steps |
 |
Step 1 Cutting the aluminum tubing for legs. |
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Step 2 Drill pilot holes where necessary into the aluminum legs. |
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Step 3 Assemble the wood frame and shelving. |
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Step 4 To keep the wood frame from having water damage issues, caulking was used on the seams and a sealant was used on the wood surfaces. We used a salad bowl finishing stain to seal the wood. |
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Step 5 Drill pilot holes where necessary to attach aluminum legs. |
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Step 6 Assemble and attach the caster mechanism. |
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Step 7 Attach the legs to the top and shelves. |
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Step 8 Mix plaster and pour letting it set. |
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Step 9 Deliver the wedging table to the client. |
Next Steps[edit | edit source]
The "Wedge and a Ledge" design will be placed in the art room storage area while it is not in use. The table will remain stationary while the caster locking mechanism is disengaged. When the table needs to be used, the mechanism must be engaged for the table to be rolled to the designated wedging area. Once in that area, the mechanism can be disengaged so that the table remains stationary during use.
Results[edit | edit source]
As of Monday, 2 May 2016, the "Wedge and a Ledge" design was completed and is ready for use by Ken Weiderman and his students. We successfully demonstrated our constructed design to judges, our peers, and our instructor during a presentation to Zane Middle School.
Group Member Pages[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- Bayer, M. F. (1922). "Caster Lock." United States Patent Office, US1428932 A.
- Bergeson, Lynn L. (2014). "FTC's Recent Enforcement Cases for Misleading Recycled Content Claims." Regulatory Developments, <http://web.archive.org/web/20201208123718/https://www.acta group.com/regulatory-developments/entry/ftcs-recent-enforcement-cases-for-misleading-recycled-content-claims> (Feb. 20, 2016)
- Boesel, J., Richey, J (1993). Machines on Wheels, The Taunton Press, Newtown, Connecticut. Caster City. (2016). "Dual Wheel Casters- Total Locking Brake." <http://web.archive.org/web/20201208123718/https://www.castercity.com/specific-app-casters/dual-wheelcasters.htm> (Feb. 23, 2016)
- Ceramic Arts Community (2014) "Wedging Table Surface Options – Studio Operations and Making Work." Ceramic Arts Daily Community <http://community.ceramicartsdaily.org/topic/5460- wedging-table-surface-options/> (Feb. 2016).
- Ed. Koichi Hirata. (2002). "Metal Materials." Elementary Knowledge of Metalworking, <http://web.archive.org/web/20170720153532/https://www.nmri.go.jp:80/eng/khirata/metalwork/basic/material/index_e.html> (Feb. 25, 2016).
- Frisch, David, and Susan Frisch, (1998). Metal: Design and Fabrications. N.p.: Whitney Library of Design. Print.
- Gumpert, Meagan C. (2014.) "Clay Wedging Table - Plaster Mixing Ratios and Guidelines." Clay and Glass Blog of Meagan Chaney Gumpert, <http://web.archive.org/web/20180822234726/https://www.meaganchaneygumpert.com/> (Feb. 20, 2016)
- Hutchings, Gilbert R., G. Eugene. Martin, and J. Mario Coleman. 1982. Working with Wood. Bloomington IL: McKnight Pub., Print
- Meier, Eric. (2008). "The Wood Database." The Wood Database, <http://web.archive.org/web/20201208123718/https://ww w.wood-database.com/> (Feb. 24, 2016).
- Mike. (2014). "Painting furniture – Should I use latex or oil paint? <http://lauerfurniture.com/painting-furniture-should-i-use-latex-or-oil- paint/> (Feb. 23, 2016)
- Miodownik, Mark. (2013). Stuff Matters. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. New York, NY.
- Rockler. (2007). "Wood Stain in a Nutshell" Buzzsaw Blog, <https://www.rockler.com/how-to/wood-stain-in-a-nutshell> (Feb. 24, 2016)
- Walters, C. (1935). "Tools And Materials: Via: Ceramic Sculpture; The Preparation Of The Clay". The American Magazine of Art, 28(8), 500–502.
- Walstrom, Emil A., (1942). "Builder's Safety Horse Clamp." United States Patent Office, <https://www.google.com/patents/US2330766> (Feb. 25, 2016).