Reverse

Engineering Dome
of Light Project
By: Gregory Jenkins, Evan Fandrei, and Jeremy Loventhal
 What is reverse engineering?

Reverse engineering (RE) is the

process of taking something
apart and observing the interior in
hopes of understanding its
function and operation.
 Stages of RE

● Visual analysis
● Functional analysis
● Structural analysis
 WHY is RE used?
● Documentation
○ No existing documentation
○ Interoperability
○ maintenance
● Discovery
○ Academic/Research/Learning
○ Curiosity
● Investigation
○ Analysis and testing
○ Document patent infringement
○ Forensics: Design failure
● Product improvement
Visual Analysis/Measurements of Tea Light

● Exterior: 1.48 in.

● Interior: 1.40 in.
● Height (base): 0.69 in.
● Height (flame): 0.83 in.
● Height (total): 1.52 in.
 Functional Analysis of Tea Light

After prying open the tea light, we discovered how it functioned. The
battery’s positive side is connected direct to the positive wire on the light itself.
The negative wire is where the flickering takes place.

As the electricity passes through the negative, it enters a component

adjacent to the on/off switch. This unevenly distributes the electricity, resulting
in the flickering. Without this critical flicker-enabling component, the light
would remain static with no change.

Function: Provide Lighting

Structural Analysis/Sketchup Model of Tea Light

Light-

-Battery

-Wire(-)

-Wire(+)

-Flicker Component -On/Off Switch

 Reverse Engineering (Dome of Light) Ideas

We wanted to make a dome shaped light. Instead of a somewhat

clear dome for light to shine through, we wanted to puncture holes in
the upper part of the dome.
 Rough Draft Model of the Dome of Light

Holes with
exiting
light (16
total)
Outer
Dome

Power
Switch
Design Process
Design Process (Continued)
 Dome of Light Information
Name of Product: Dome of Light
Image of Product:

Dimensions of Product:
● Diameter - 4 ⅝ in.
● Height - 3 ¼ in.
Material of Product: Hard Plastic
Final Lesson(s)

● We learned that a project of any size will require teamwork and

coordination.

● We learned to complete the valuable parts of a project when you

are sure that you have time to make up for trial and error (i.e.
don’t try to 3D print the main part of your project the day before
it’s due). Don’t Trust 3D PRINTERS!

● We learned the proper skills and time-management to complete

a reverse engineering project.
Thanks for
listening!