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Class project: Something that needs to be invented

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Zog

Formerly Northstar. The Block, The Shot, The Stop
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So, one of my classes I'm taking this semester is Mechanical Design II, and we have to come up with some product or device that's not available right now and make a model of it. So far we haven't been able to come up with any good ideas and we're supposed to have a vague idea by tomorrow.

Anyone have an idea of something that would be useful and fun to create? I promise if this product goes anywhere pat just being done for the class I'll let you in on the profits :thumbup:

(presumably 1/6 of the profit, as I assume all the other group members and professor will want their cut :chuckles:)

Of course, the chance that it is used past just the project is slim.
 
Ever been following a semi down the freeway in the winter when all the snow and crap comes flying off the trailer right on your windshield?

How about a sturdy extendable trailer-top snowbrush? I dunno, it was the first thing that came to mind.

Going to keep my eyes peeled on this post to see what ideas are out there...
 
How about a robe....BUT YOU WEAR IT BACKWARDS! We can call it a "Zuggly" and get Z to endorse it. We'll make zillions. :cool:
 
A contraption which releases chemicals that stops LeIso. You don't have to pay me, I'll pay you if you invent it and it works.
 
A contraption which releases chemicals that stops LeIso. You don't have to pay me, I'll pay you if you invent it and it works.

I am not a LeIso hater, but that actually made me lol.
 
How about a "jump to conclusions" mat? There could be a mat, with several conclusions on it, and when you have a problem, you jump to one.
 
A fork with a knife on it. You would have somehow engineer it not to cut people.
 
Idea #1...

You can replace the ink cartridges in printers.
You can replace the toner in copy machines.
You can replace the ink in ball point pens.
You can replace the graphite in mechanical pencils.
But you can't replace the fluid in magic markers.

Design a magic marker that allows the user to replace the fluid instead of having to throw it away when the ink runs dry and buy a new one.


Idea #2...

This is something I've wanted for a LONG time.

Design an MP3 player that has a USB port so that you can load songs onto it from a flash drive.


Idea #3... (a little tougher)

A microwave oven will heat food and drinks that are at room temperature in 60 seconds.
But if you want to cool food or drinks that are at room temperature... that takes a couple of hours.

Design a device that will cool food and drinks QUICKLY.
 
How about tags you can place on your keys and remote and when you press the pager it beeps.
 
Ever been following a semi down the freeway in the winter when all the snow and crap comes flying off the trailer right on your windshield?

How about a sturdy extendable trailer-top snowbrush? I dunno, it was the first thing that came to mind.

Going to keep my eyes peeled on this post to see what ideas are out there...

Hmm, not sure if this is possible for to present it in class... it seems too large, but interesting idea.

A motorized golf caddy

So basically something that carries your clubs for you? Like a segway that holds golf clubs? Cool idea, probably can't make something like that in enough time (project is due in a month or so).


A fork with a knife on it. You would have somehow engineer it not to cut people.

Would you want it to be able to stab food and cut it at the same time, I assume? This is an interesting idea, not sure how to do it exactly, but perhaps one of the group members would.

Idea #1...

You can replace the ink cartridges in printers.
You can replace the toner in copy machines.
You can replace the ink in ball point pens.
You can replace the graphite in mechanical pencils.
But you can't replace the fluid in magic markers.

Design a magic marker that allows the user to replace the fluid instead of having to throw it away when the ink runs dry and buy a new one.


Idea #2...

This is something I've wanted for a LONG time.

Design an MP3 player that has a USB port so that you can load songs onto it from a flash drive.


Idea #3... (a little tougher)

A microwave oven will heat food and drinks that are at room temperature in 60 seconds.
But if you want to cool food or drinks that are at room temperature... that takes a couple of hours.

Design a device that will cool food and drinks QUICKLY.

I think the tip of the pen would sort of get ruined, probably why they don't have that, because you'd have to replace the tip as well.

#2 would be good if I was an electrical or computer engineer and knew how to do that, but unfortunately I don't.

#3 we might be able to do, but I'm not sure how you could do it without freezing the drinking or getting the food all frost-bitten.

How about tags you can place on your keys and remote and when you press the pager it beeps.

That's a good idea, but it seems too simple. Like, I wouldn't have to design anything mechanical. Also more like electrical engineering stuff as well, but a good idea certainly.

Keep the ideas coming. Try to think of something more along the lines of mechanical devices than electronic stuff. Thanks for all the ideas so far.
 
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I had a similiar science assignment once. I made a special dog crap scooper for when your pooch has diarhea.

No, I'm not giving you the design. Its going to make me a fortune someday.
 
How about a wind energy mill powered by a Solar Tracking System. The tracking system will follow the suns pattern. The excess power generated through the solar panels can be sent back out towards the grid, which would generate income.
I
f you can do that, then I can make you a lotta money
 
Quick clarification... does the product have to be marketable or can it be any kind of goofy contraption?
 
Two sided bathroom paper.

One side is toilet paper, the other baby wipe and it's flushable.

Boom. Gold.

Thank me later.
 

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