Break It Apart!

Challenge
By Pranav Pannala, Evan Colenbrander, Kaleb Ryan, and
Ryan Miller
COBY® DP700 Digital Picture Frame
Components

● Plastic Frame and Base

○ With custom Fireman’s Fund logo
● USB port & SD/MS card slot
● 7-inch TFT LCD display
○ 480 x 234 resolution, 200 cd/m2
brightness, and 300:1 contrast ratio
● RoHS tested circuit board
COBY® DP700 Q and A
1. What is its purpose (What is it supposed to do) - To display pictures electronically via a hard drive or SD/MS card.
2. What is the basic function? - To display pictures.
3. What real-life problem/human need is the object solving/address? - It helps to use less paper when trying to frame a photo.
4. What are the functions of its parts/components? - The circuit board helps control the information and transfers it to the LCD
screen. The screen displays the images. The frame holds the entire design together and creates a nice aesthetic.
5. How does it turn on (if applicable)? - On button on frame.
6. What is the mechanism to do that...? - On button on frame links to circuit board.
7. How do things fit together (functional relationships between its parts/components, connections)? - screws, a ribbon connector,
and wires.
8. What is it made of (materials, be specific)? - Plastic and metal.
9. Why do you think they used those materials to build the object? - The metal was required for it to work and plastic is cheap.
10. Are there any identification numbers/codes on it or within it ? What do they mean? - Yes, there are serial numbers which
identify the product.
11. What are some physics/technology principles involved in its functioning? - There is a circuit board which assists in the
processing of the information.
12. What are the measurements of the overall object and of its components? - With Frame: 7.8 x 5.2 x 1.1" / 198.1 x 132.1 x 27.9 mm.
13. What is its price? - $19.50
14. Is it recyclable? - No.
15. How would you improve it? - I would improve the design to make it sleeker and more modern looking.
Nerf® Nite Finder EX-3
Conceptual Sketch: Exploded View:
 Materials:
Plastic Materials: Metal Materials: Other:

● Gun barrel ● 15 screws for ● Lens

● Handle outer shell ● LED
● Pin ● 13 screws for ● Circuit board
● Rail stopper interior parts ● Switch
● Trigger ● 4 Springs ● Rubber seal
● Lens cover ● 3 wires
● Battery cover ● Conductive
● 2 Outer shells terminals
● LED holder
● Lens connecters
Nerf® Nite Finder EX-3 Q and A
1. Purpose - The Nite Finder is a single barrel Nerf® blaster that can fire one foam dart at a time.
2. Function - A rubber seal creates a chamber where the user manually builds up the air pressure by pulling back on a handle. A pin is
used to lock the handle in place and a spring is attached so when the trigger is pulled the chamber rapidly reduces in volume pushing all
the air out the end of the barrel accelerating the dart forward. When the trigger is pulled, the back of the trigger pushes on the pin
releasing the air held in the chamber. The trigger then returns to its initial position using a spring. The light attached to the gun works
using a simple circuit consisting of a switch, batteries, LED, and wires.
3. Human Need - While this object is not essential for human life to go on, it provides joy and happiness for those that enjoying playing
with Nerf® blasters.
4. Components - The blaster uses both electronic and mechanical parts and components. A simple circuit with a switch attached to the
trigger turns off and on the LED. An air chamber is used to propel the foam dart. Springs and pins are used throughout the blaster to
return components into the correct place when the trigger is released.
5. How does it turn on? - The light turns on when the switch is closed to complete the circuit. The blaster fires the dart when trigger is
pulled back by releasing the pin holding the blaster handle in place.
6. Mechanisms - As the handle is pulled back, the air pressure is built up in the chamber. When the handle reaches a specific point, a
pins latches in place to hold the handle back. When the trigger is pulled back, the pin is pushed up to release the handle and the
pressure within the chamber is released firing the dart from the blaster.
7. Functional relationships - A majority of the components are held together by screws. The electrical parts are soldered together and all
other parts are held together by friction.
Nerf® Nite Finder EX-3 Q and A
8. Materials - The components are made out of plastic, metal, and various other materials described on the materials slide (slide 5).
9. Why do you think they used those materials to build the object? - Plastic was used because it is cheap and easy to mass produce
the product when it is made out of plastic. Metal was used for specific parts such as the screws and springs because those components
need to be much stronger. The other materials such as the clear lens and the rubber are needed because the rubber can create an
airtight seal and the lens needs to be transparent.
10. Are there any identification numbers/codes on it or within it ? What do they mean? - There do not appear to be any significant
identification numbers or codes on the interior of the product. On the outer shell the patent number, 5529050 is listed along with
another identification code: C-015C.
11. What are some physics/technology principles involved in its functioning? - The blaster relies on spring potential energy to fire. As
the spring is compressed from its natural state, energy is converted into spring potential energy which is stored in the compressed
spring. When the spring is released the potential energy is converted into the kinetic energy of the moving dart.
12. What are the measurements of the overall object and of its components? - 25 cm long, 16 cm tall, 1 cm diameter for the barrel
13. What is its price? - $7.99 USD
14. Is it recyclable? - It is most likely not recyclable due to the electronic components.
15. How would you improve it? - It could be improved by improving the firing mechanism. Replacing the spring with a more powerful
spring would increase the force the air in the chamber applies onto the dart making it fire faster.
Holmes® 6'' Heritage Desk Fan, Brushed Copper
By Kaleb Ryan
Holmes® Heritage Desk Fan Sketches
Holmes® Heritage Desk Fan Q and A
What is its purpose (What is it supposed to do)

- To cool off the user in order to improve comfort.

What is the basic function?

- An electric motor turns causing the blades to spin pushing air toward the user.

What real-life problem/human need is the object solving/address?

- The desk fan provides comfort in otherwise overly heated indoor environments.

What are the functions of its parts/components?

- A power cord delivers electricity to an electrical motor that spins the blades.

How does it turn on (if applicable)?

- There is a power switch on the back of the device with two speed settings depending on how powerful the user wants
the airflow to be.
What is the mechanism to do that?

- The power switch lets electricity flow into the motor which causes the blades to spin.

How do things fit together (functional relationships between its parts/components, connections)?

- The majority of the wiring and electric motor are encased in black hard plastic. A rod protrudes from the encasing that
connects to the blades. The entirety of the mechanism is inside a copper cage that sits on a copper stand.

What is it made of (materials, be specific)?

- The majority of the fan, including the cage and stand, are made of brushed copper. The blades are made of aluminum.
The motor mainly consists of iron with additional copper wiring. The encasing for the motor and wires is hard black
plastic.

Why do you think they used those materials to build the object?

- The plastic was chosen due to its low cost and ability to do its job and protect the motor and wires. The iron in the
motor is also likely chosen due to low cost and the copper wiring was chosen due to its high conductivity, The brushed
copper frame was most likely chosen for aesthetic purposes, and the aluminum blades were chosen due to low cost.
Are there any identification numbers/codes on it or within it ? What do they mean?

- The only identification codes on the parts of the fan was to identify the motor. The code was LY-FT15RT 120VAC 60Hz
15W Class:E. LY-FT15RT refers to the model of the motor. Class:E describes the insulation of the motor, meaning it can
handle temperatures 15ºC greater than Class:A. 15W describes the power input required to make the motor run.
120VAC and 60Hz means that the current traveling to the motor alternates from 120 volts to -120 volts 60 times per
second.

What are some physics/technology principles involved in its functioning?

- Electrical: The AC motor consists of two basic parts, an outside stator having coils supplied with alternating current to
produce a rotating magnetic field, and an inside rotor attached to the output shaft producing a second rotating
magnetic field.
- Aerodynamics: While blades create airflow, too many blades create turbulence which harms the efficiency of the fan. In
this case, there are 3 blades with small pitted sections that are angled in order to push air toward the user as more air
rushes to fill its place.
What are the measurements of the overall object and of its components?

- Whole Device: 25 cm height, 14 cm depth, 24 cm width

- Blade radius: 6 cm, Copper caging radius: 8.5 cm Copper caging depth: 8 cm
- Encasing around motor: 8 cm diameter

What is its price?

- $35.81 from Walmart

Is it recyclable?

- Yes, although some small parts may fall through most commercialized sorting machines.

How would you improve it?

- I would make the stand more adjustable, make it mountable on a wall, and make the blades smoother and more
durable
Electrohome® Alarm Clock
Electrohome® Alarm Clock Q and A
1. What is its purpose (What is it supposed to do) - Display the time and play an alarming sound to wake people up.
2. What is the basic function? - To wake someone up with a loud sound.
3. What real-life problem/human need is the object solving/address? - Waking people up.
4. What are the functions of its parts/components? - Circuit Board: Preprogrammed to understand inputs and output the correct signals.
Battery: supplies power to the device. Charging Port: Allows charging of the battery. Ceiling Laser Display: Displays time on ceiling. Led
Screen: Displays time on device. Button Panel: Holds buttons and transmit data to the circuit board Speaker: Outputs sound.
5. How does it turn on (if applicable)? - Press the power button.
6. What is the mechanism to do that...? - Sends a signal to the circuit board which powers on the device by allowing the battery to power all of
the components.
7. How do things fit together (functional relationships between its parts/components, connections)? - They are connected with electric wires.
8. What is it made of (materials, be specific)? - Plastic and electric parts.
9. Why do you think they used those materials to build the object? - Because they are cheaper.
10. Are there any identification numbers/codes on it or within it ? What do they mean? - None
11. What are some physics/technology principles involved in its functioning? - Multiple closed projects.
12. What are the measurements of the overall object and of its components? - circuit board 8cm x 12cm
13. What is its price? - $15 on ebay can not find original retail price.
14. Is it recyclable? - No
15. How would you improve it? - Make it recyclable and make the product better put together. Currently has too much glue and zip ties.
Thanks