DESIGN NAME: Mini Mech
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Toy
INSPIRATION: As young engineers and life-long-toy-lovers, we were inspired by the magical nature of modular structures. The possibility of building complex systems using little, simple units motivated us to design an educational and recreational toy to embrace the power of creation.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Mini Mech is a collection of transparent blocks, each of which contains a unique mechanical unit. When assembled, these blocks can be built into complex systems. Mini Mech is designed to empower young creative minds by offering an endless variety of combinations to build simple functioning machines. This is the first package of Mini Mechs family, containing six different blocks with their connections and accessories. The modular nature of family allows us to design new blocks and offer a variety of packages with different functions.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: Each block, according to its function has mechanical couplings as inputs and outputs. These couplings transfer the rotation through blocks while magnetic connectors keep them together. Transparency of the blocks, allows young engineers to see the real mechanism of each unit individually and collectively in the system. After learning a few engineering rules to connect the blocks together, it is time to create!
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: The project started in November 2014 as a bachelor's thesis in Tehran. It was revised and changed to what it is today, later in May 2016.
FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY: Toys, Games and Hobby Products Design
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: The collection is mainly made of acrylic glass, cut by laser technology and assembled by hand. This method is only used for small scale production. With having mass production in mind, Mini Mech is designed with a minimum diversity of pieces, to be suitable for injection molding process.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: Blocks: 45 mm x 45 mm x 45 mm
Connectors: 36 mm x 36 mm x 5 mm
Wheels: 53 mm (Diameter) x 6 mm
TAGS: Toy, Block, Cube, Magnet, Modular, Mechanical, Transparent
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: -
CHALLENGE: In the design process, we were encountered with many challenges. Our first challenge was the size of the blocks (4.5 cm x 4.5 cm x 4.5 cm) in which we needed to fit each functioning mechanism. Mechanical parts were designed and custom-built to satisfy the limited space. Having the appropriate connection between the blocks was our second challenge. The couplings had to be functional and easy to use.
ADDED DATE: 2017-01-05 10:24:52
TEAM MEMBERS (2) : Ghazal Esmaeili and Negar Rezaei
IMAGE CREDITS: Negar Rezaei & Ghazal Esmaeili, 2016.
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