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Junior Certificate Technology - Classroom Projectwork

Photo Display

Design Task

1. Introduction

This project is a rotating display for photographs. The display may rotate continuously or

intermittently depending on the chosen mechanism/control system. The display may be

mounted on a desktop or a similar surface. The housing under the photos contains the

mechanisms and the electric circuit. The three key focus areas of this project are:

1. The successful mounting and operation of rotating system

2. The successful integration of a subsystem (i.e. gears, pulleys & electric circuit)

within a project

3. The successful application of the students’ own design ideas to the development

of the photo holder.

2. Year Group/term

This project is aimed at the second or third term of second year or the first term of third

year.

3. Syllabus Topics & Learning Outcomes

The project covers elements of the following syllabus areas:

Design: Designing a range of solutions to house the photos on the

revolving display

Communication: Using a variety of graphic techniques to communicate photo display

ideas

Materials: Developing skills in marking out, joining, execution & finish to produce

the photo display

Mechanisms: Attaching a motor to a revolving disc/constructing an intermittent

drive using gears

Electric Circuits: Developing soldering and assembly skills through constructing &

testing a rotating motor circuit.

( Control – optional): Using a sensor to control the operation of a motor.

Design and make a rotating photo

display with an intermittent pause to

allow the viewer to see the photos

See

Powerpoint

on Resource

DVD

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Aims

To introduce the students to the motor, its operation & applications.

To develop the students’ skills in a range of assembly techniques required to build

the photo display and integrate within it both the circuit & mechanism.

To encourage students to develop their own design skills through the development

of the photo holder.

Learning Outcomes

Students should be able to communicate design ideas through the execution,

reading and interpretation of simple annotated sketches and working drawings.

Students should be able to use a variety of assembly techniques to make the photo

display and housing.

Students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the operating

principles of the motor and how to connect it in an electric circuit.

4. Prerequisite Knowledge

Students should have aquired skills in marking out, cutting & assembly of acrylic as

well as basic soldering skills.

Students should be familiar with the motor and its operation in a circuit.

If intermittent control is required students would require an understanding of the

operation of a range of mechanisms including gears.

(These last two topics may however be developed in conjunction with the practical

element of this project.)

5. Specific Equipment/tools required

Technology room tools & equipment. Some of the pieces may be cut out using a CNC router

if available.

6. Materials required:

The housing is manufactured from acrylic and the photo holders manufactured from clear

acrylic. Appendix 1 includes a detailed material list.

7. Suggested methodology

There are a number of approaches to this project depending on the ability of the students

and the time available.

Option 1

Present students with the entire solution and focus on researching appropriate

mechanisms/circuits to allow the display to rotate intermittently.

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Option 2

Present students with the solution for the housing and rotating mechanism (continuous or

intermittent) and allow them to design the photo frame element.

Option 3 (most difficult, most time required)

Present students with an open ended brief for a rotating photo display which pauses

intermittently to allow viewers to look at the photos.

8. Procedure/instructions/ information.

See attached sketches in Appendix 2 and photos in Appendix 3 for suggested

construction/assembly details.

9. Health & Safety

Technology room Health & Safety rules and regulations apply.

10. Alternatives

Simpler Solutions

Focus on rotating display only – avoid intermittent aspect.

Omit the circuit and motor and the display can be rotated manually.

Construct a continuous display but include a push to break switch to allow the

viewer to pause the rotation when required.

More challenging solutions

Research timing circuits/PIC control to allow more control of the intermittent

display.

Specify that the photo frame should revolve in daylight only . This requires the

inclusion of an LDR sensor and a transistor circuit.

Include a requirement for light/ flashing LED’s to draw attention to the display

Other Applications

This project can be adapted to function as a shop window display or shop floor display.

11. Assessment/Evaluation

Students should be encouraged to test and evaluate their final product and complete

an assessment sheet (See Appendix viii)

Students could also be given one section of the Junior Certificate portfolio to

complete during construction of project. This allows them an opportunity to practice

elements of this third year requirement (Suggestions-Design ideas/Drawings for

manufacture/ manufacturing sequence)

The functionality, quality and finish of the final product could be assessed by the

class teacher.

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12. Suggested Links

T4 Resource CD/Resources by Topic/Core: Gears,

Intro to Structures & Mechanisms, etc.

Assembly,

Finishing materials

T4 Junior Certificate Technology Resource: Energy & Electricity

Useful Websites: www.t4.ie

www.technologystudent.com

www.flyingpig.com

www.robives.com/mechs

www.examinations.ie

Note: Template for the design folio may be found on www.t4.ie

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Appendix 1

Photo Display

Suggested Materials List

Material Length(mm) Width(mm) Thickness(mm) No. Req. Part Name

Acrylic 200 25 3 4 Sides A

Acrylic 194 25 3 4 Sides B

Acrylic 194 65 3 2 Insert A

Acrylic 188 65 3 2 Insert B

Acrylic 200 200 3 2 Top & Base

Clear Acrylic 110 85 3 3 Photo Holder

Axle 75 Ø4 -- 1

Wood 45 45 10 1 Axle housing

Wood 45 45 10 1 Motor Holder

Component No. Req

Motor 1

Toggle switch 1

LED 1

Resistor (Size) 1

1.5v battery holder 1

Large Gear (75T approx) 1

Small Gear (45T approx) 1

Brass Hub with grub screw 2

Castle Nut 1

Clips (Photo Holders) 6

Also required: Liquid solvent cement,

Steel wool,

Emery paper.

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Appendix 2: Sketches

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Appendix 3 - Photos of one completed solution

View from the front

One possible solution for photo holder

Clear plastic hooks glued

to acrylic to hold photos

in place

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Revolving turntable

On/off switch

Turntable without photo holders

Box with lid removed

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Gear with some teeth removed to

create intermittent drive

Wooden base piece with hole drilled to

support axle

Internal layout of components

Lid of box

Lightweight plastic strips to support turntable Turntable & components

Large gear