Model Critique

Positive Aspects

Without a reasonable doubt, the best positive point I can make

on the model is that it functions correctly. The model is
complicated in a wide variety of areas, electrical, mechanical,
aesthetic, structural stability and audible detail. To witness these
areas of construction in finality following a trying process of
attempting a solution, improving on it and repeating is very
rewarding.

Critiquing one of many areas listed above would be easy,

however considering the main aim of the assignment is to
create an electrical model, the most prudent area to discuss
would be in the electrical elements of the model. Not only does
the model use a variety of different energy conversions, i.e.
kinetic, light and sound, but it also uses forms of energy not
evident to passers-by. This is seen in:
The relay component converts energy in two occasions.
First, it converts electrical energy to electro-magnetic
energy, which is converted into kinetic energy, which
causes the contacts to touch and pass energy through.
Kinetic energy is passed through a cam to the
switches, which, in turn controls the switches.
Negative Aspects

In discussing aspects of this model, which hamper the function

of the wheel, I believe it to be prudent to begin with the circuit,
both in design and function. Its design and as such, function,
have some flaws in comparison to what would be the most
efficient. Some of the issues include:
The difference in voltage between the 3v motor and 12v
LED lights led to the model being powered by two separate
sources, causing a variety of issues. These are that the
lights are too powerful and had to be covered, leading to a
decrease in efficiency, while we could have simply replaced
them with 3v lights and run them on the same circuit as the
motor, however, doing such would miss out on the greatest
advantage, that they were free as my father purchased
them whilst renovating our kitchen.
Further complications, which arose, are that we wanted a
single switch to operate the entirety of the circuit, 3v and
12v. Instead of using the multiple pole function of the
switch, we instead opted to use a 12v relay to control the 3v
power supply and as such, the circuit contains certain
unnecessary components.

A further negative aspect is that the model is not practically

designed for real life usage and as such cannot be scaled up
easily. Whilst the model works in theory, it contains features
easier to use in real life differently. The switches inside the
wheel, for example, would not need to be directly touching the

central shaft to control the lights, but could instead be replaced

by circuits using timers and possibly even a miniature computer
program instead.

Materials and justification.

The materials and components utilised in this model are can be
categorised into three main requitements: To create a circuit which
meets the assignments criteria, to construct a structurally sound
model with the necessary details, and wooden elements used for
structural soundness.
1- the circuit was created using a series of different components,
which were necessary to produce a working circuit, which meets the
specifications from the assignment. These components were
purchased at Jaycar:
1.

Switches Both on/off switches and micro switches were used to

control the model, with the on/off switch acting as the main
control and the micro switches being used to control the
individual lights.
2. Two battery boxes, both a 12v and a 3v box to provide power to
both circuits.
3. A motor and gearbox to rotate the wheel and make it function.
4. LED lights, which are connected to the micro switches to provide
visual stimulus.
5. A recycled music player for atmospheric usage.
6. An unnecessary (see above) relay to act as a switch for the 3v
components of this circuit.
7. Some Chocolate Block to easily connect all the wires in an
organised fashion.
And last but not least
8. The wires, which were used to connect every component in this
circuit with, and solder to make the connections permanent.
2- the creation of the wheel and surrounding fittings, i.e. seats,
switch office.
This was almost entirely constructed from PVC 3d printed plastic to
create a strong but customisable set of components, with the
designs being made in the site Tinkercad and reproduced in Davids
fathers 3d printer.
3- The Wooden elements, which were used to hold the model in
place and to safely transport in one piece.

The box and stand, which the Ferris wheel is located in/on, were
made from pinewood for the steps and joints in the box and Medium
Density Fibreboard for the stand, the sides, top and bottom of the
box, with hinges to allow for safer transportation and elastic bands
to compound on this. Many of these components were purchased as
raw material from Bunnings and shaped using Davids fathers
tuition.
The 3d printer was used to allow for a set of custom made parts to
be easily constructed without large expenditure. The approximate
amount of plastic used was around $20. This compared to the box,
which actually cost more in materials than the wheel and was
unusable for functions such as a custom made wheel.