October 24th, 2011 → 11:13 am @ admin
It’s been another busy year with the online Design and Technology Mentoring Program. It really keeps me very busy reading all those draft Folios at night and the large range of innovation being produced is truly wonderful. I thank you for your patience as on some occasions due to family matters I have not been [...]
January 7th, 2011 → 1:29 pm @ admin
A very common machine in a school workshop is the Pedestal Drill. One of the advantages of using this type of drilling machine is that the hole you drill will be square to the job in two planes. It is very difficult to achieve this with a hand drill. The Pedestal Drill is easier to [...]
January 25th, 2010 → 6:30 pm @ admin
Sustainability Firstly what is sustainability? We hear the words ‘sustainable‘ and ‘sustainability‘ almost every day. But what does it mean exactly? Is it about people and culture, our environment, or jobs and money? Is it about cities or the country? Is it about you and me or is [...]
January 24th, 2010 → 7:32 pm @ admin
Silicon Molds Silicon Molds are often necessary to produce a number of similar items for a Major Design Project. One method of achieving this is by manufacturing a silicon mold and casting the items using the mold. Lets say we are going to produce a chess set for your Major Design Project but with a [...]
January 19th, 2010 → 11:16 pm @ admin
Once a concept has been developed by a student there is a tendency to launch head-on into the project without quality planning. What do I mean by quality planning? All aspects need to be planned if you are going to produce a worth while project or innovation. While not compulsory CAD ( computer assisted drawing) [...]
December 16th, 2009 → 3:10 pm @ admin
From time to time students want to use a microprocessor of some type in their Major Design Project. I came across this valuable little book which offers a thorough introduction to the open-source electronics prototyping platform that’s taking the design and hobbyist world by storm. Getting Started with Arduino gives you lots of ideas for [...]
December 6th, 2009 → 10:25 pm @ admin
I would like to wish a very Happy Christmas to those students who are taking advantage of the Design and Technology Mentoring Programme. I know it’s a time of holidays and Christmas, but do try and achieve vital research over the holidays. Next year you will not have the time to visit companies and obtain [...]
November 29th, 2009 → 1:19 am @ admin
When it comes time to have your Major Design Folio printed, seek the services of a professional printing company. It is a very competitive industry, so do not accept the first quote you receive. Get at least three quotes and you will usually find a very big difference in prices quoted. Any last minute printing [...]
November 18th, 2009 → 10:50 pm @ admin
Making your own solar panels As most people are aware solar panels are relatively expensive. I was interested in installing solar panels on my home to generate energy and to reduce costs. For about 5 years I have experimented with commercially made solar panels powering small lights for my courtyard and charging batteries for radios. [...]
November 17th, 2009 → 9:28 pm @ admin
This video presentation is of a commercially constructed wind generator but it is not impossible to construct your own as a Major Design Project. A quick look around the internet reveals many DIY sites which would be useful for quality research. You would need to assess the following; what is the electrical load of the [...]