Ira Mascardo

Introduction to Engineering and Design

December 2011
Puzzle Cube Project

Puzzle Cube Design Brief

This project is going to take you from concept desi
design work to final production of
product.. You will begin with hand sketches and move on to production
drawings on the computer. You will use these production drawings to build
your own puzzle block.
Problem Statement:
A local office furniture manufacturing company throws away tens of
thousands
ds of scrap hardwood cubes that result from its furniture
construction processes. The material is expensive, and the scrap
represents a sizeable loss of profit.
Design Statement:
Fine Office Furniture, Inc. would like to return value to its waste produ
product
ct by using it as the raw material for
desktop novelty items that will be sold on the showroom floor. Design, build, test, document, and present a
three-dimensional
dimensional puzzle system that is made from the scrap hardwood cubes. The puzzle system must
provide an appropriate degree of challenge to a person who is seven years of age or older.
Constraints:
1. The puzzle must be fabricated from 27, hardwood cubes.
2. The puzzle system must contain exactly five puzzle pieces.
3. Each individual puzzle piece must consist of at least three, but no more than six hardwood cubes that
are permanently attached to each other.
4. No two puzzle pieces can be the same.
5. Every puzzle piece must be at least 2 cubes deep / wide / high in each dimension (can not lay flat
regardless of how you turn it).
6. The five puzzle pieces must assemble to form a 2 cube.
7. Puzzle parts should interlock.
Puzzle Design Breakdown (Design Process)
Phase I: Problem Identification
-

Review Design Challenge Brief

Phase II: Brainstorm & Conceptualization

-

Design a series of potential solutions.

o

Brainstorm and come up with as many part combinations possible using different numbers
of cubes. (You will use the Puzzle Part Combinations Activity as your guide for this step.)

Phase III: Research & Generate Ideas

deas
-

Using plastic cubes to build prototypes, design three options that satisfy the Puzzle Design
Challenge constraints. You will sketch these three puzzle cube options in isometric view. Also, you
will need to sketch the layers of each cube in oblique vview.
iew. All sketches must be rendered with

colored pencils. (You will use the Puzzle Design Challenge Prototypes Activity as your guide for
this step.)
-

Interview at least one target consumer to see what they would want their puzzle cube to include.
Decide on evaluation criteria.

Phase IV: Identify Criteria and Specify Constraints

-

Review Design Challenge Brief

Phase V and VI: Explore Possibilities and Select an Approach

-

Evaluate your different designs using a Decision Matrix. (You must have at least four criteria.)

Phase VII: Develop a Design Proposal

-

Final Annotated Sketches of Winning Design Sketch the winning designs parts in multiview (top,
front, and right side orthographic views and isometric view for each part). Draw each orthographic
sketch to scale (4 squares = 1 inch). Render with colored pencils.

Phase VIII and IX: Make a Model / Prototype & Test Design
-

Prototype test fit your design with plastic cubes.

Have a peer review / test your final design.

Phase X: Refine your Design

-

Make any modifications (teacher approved) needed to your design.

Create part (.ipt) and dimensioned drawing (.idw) files for every piece to be used in your puzzle
cube. Once these are created, an assembly file (.iam) must be created. Prepare and .IPN, and
place in a .idw with BOM and balloons.

Phase XI: Create / Make your Solution

-

Construct your puzzle cube using hardwood blocks. You will need to sand all edges, and make
sure you color each part to match your chosen design.

Phase XII: Communicate Processes and Results

-

Reflect and evaluate on your design and the process to create it. (A reflection sheet will be
provided for this.)

Create project portfolio.

Create final presentation. (Record your assembly and include it in your presentation.)

Present your puzzle cube design.

Puzzle Design Challenge Rubric

NOTE: The upkeep of your journal throughout the lifecycle of this project will be periodically
assessed and recorded as a daily grade
grade.. In addition, the reflection at the end of this project
will be recorded as a daily grade.
NOTE: Bonus points will be given throughout this project for digital photos, extra sketches
that add value to your project, creative additions / journal entries, etc.

Design Phase II Puzzle Part Com

Combinations Activity
TOTAL OF 40 POINTS
(Reported with Next Phases Points in Gradebook as One Grade Totaling 100)
*Multiply your score by 2.5 to compute a % score.
Topics
8 points
7 points
6 points
Activity
Explained in
Journal

Activity pasted / described Activity pasted / described in

in journal in correct
journal but not before
location
sketches

Activity only partially

pasted / described in
journal

Identification of
Combinations

Identifies 20+ different

combinations

Identifies 15+ different

combinations

Identifies 10+
combinations

Follows accurate
sketching formats

Sketching formats acceptable

Isometric /
Oblique Format

Procedures

Conclusion

Most procedures followed (i.e.

Procedures followed (i.e. - combinations presented but
3 cube combinations
not in correct order or
presented first, then 4
combinations not correctly
cube combinations etc.)
labeled)
Conclusion questions
Most conclusion questions
answered completely and answered completely and
accurately
accurately

5 points
Activity not
pasted /
described
properly
Identifies less
than 10
combinations

Sketches difficult to
visualize and / or does Incomplete
not follow the correct
Sketches
formats
Procedures only
partially followed

Most procedures
not followed

Conclusion questions
answered but not
accurately

Some conclusion
questions not
answered

* If a grading topic is not attempted at al

all,
l, no points will be accumulated for that topic.
topic
Design Phase III, IV, and V (Prototypes Activity)
TOTAL OF 60 POINTS
(Reported with Previous Phases Points in Gradebook as One Grade Totaling 100)
*Multiply your score by 100 and then divide by 60 to compute a % score.
Topics
6 points
5 points
4 points
3 points
Activity
Explained in
Journal
Design of
Alternatives

Activity pasted / described

in journal in correct
location
Generates at least three
viable concepts that
include complexity /

Activity pasted / described in Activity only partially

journal but not before
pasted / described in
sketches
journal
Generates three
Generates three viable
concepts but not all of
concepts
them meet design

Activity not pasted /

described properly
Generates less than
three viable
concepts

Topics

6 points

5 points

creativity
Design
Constraints

Isometric
Format
Oblique
Format

Penciling
Techniques
Geometry

Proportion
and Scale

Color

Selection of
Final Design

All options fully meet

design constraints

Two options fully meet

design constraints

Follows accurate
sketching formats

Sketching formats
acceptable

Follows accurate
sketching formats

Sketching formats
acceptable

4 points
constraints
Only one option fully
meets design
constraints
Sketches difficult to
visualize and / or
does not follow the
correct formats
Sketches difficult to
visualize and / or
does not follow the
correct formats

3 points
Does not meet
constraints

Incomplete Sketches

Incomplete Sketches

Lines feathered,
Lines vary in
curved, converged,
thickness but are fairly
or are hard to
accurate
identify
Shapes correct with 90
Shapes not correct
Shapes confusing
Shapes close to correct
corners etc.
but recognizable
Elements have no
Most elements sized
Elements sized correctly
Elements close to the relationship with
correctly and communicate
and communicate
correct relationship
each other and detail
the design in an acceptable
effectively
with some distortion
is difficult to
manner
ascertain
Color applied but
Color detracts from
Color appropriately applied
does make the visual the three
Color appropriately applied
and does not take away from appearance of the
dimensional image
and enhances the image
image
object pleasing to the or is incorrectly
eye
applied
Selects most appropriate
Selects an appropriate
concept and clearly
concept and is somewhat
Does not properly
Selects concept using
justifies the choice using
able to justify the choice
format the Decision
inadequate criteria
the appropriate criteria in a using marginally acceptable
Matrix
Decision Matrix
criteria in a Decision Matrix
Shows excellent line
quality (straight and of the
correct line weight)

Shows good line quality

(Fairly straight and of the
correct line weight)

* If a grading topic is not attempted at all, no points will be accumulated for that topic.

Design Phase VII, VIII, and IX Final Design Sketches and Test
TOTAL OF 60 POINTS (Reported with Phase XI in Gradebook as One Grade Totaling 100)
Topics
6 points
5 points
4 points
3 points
Activity
Explained in
Journal

Activity pasted /
described in journal in
correct location

Activity pasted /
described in journal but
not before sketches

Design
Constraints

Fully meets design

constraints

Meets most design

constraints and supports
the design function

Follows accurate
sketching formats

Sketching formats
acceptable

Follows accurate
sketching formats

Sketching formats
acceptable

Follows accurate

Sketching formats

Isometric
Format

Orthographic
Format
Multiview

Activity only partially

pasted / described in
journal
Meets some
constraints but not
enough to support the
design function
Sketches difficult to
visualize and / or does
not follow the correct
formats
Sketches difficult to
visualize and / or does
not follow the correct
formats
Sketches difficult to

Activity not pasted /

described properly
Does not meet
constraints

Incomplete Sketches

Incomplete Sketches
Incomplete Sketches

Format

Penciling
Techniques
Geometry
Proportion and
Scale

Color

Prototype Test

sketching formats (i.e.

views properly placed
and aligned)

acceptable

visualize and / or does

not follow the correct
formats

Shows excellent line

quality (straight and of
the correct line weight)
Shapes correct with 90
corners etc.

Shows good line quality

(Fairly straight and of the
correct line weight)

Lines feathered,
Lines vary in thickness
curved, converged, or
but are fairly accurate
are hard to identify
Shapes not correct but Shapes confusing
recognizable
Elements have no
Elements close to the
relationship with each
correct relationship
other and detail is
with some distortion
difficult to ascertain

Shapes close to correct

Most elements sized

Elements sized correctly
correctly and
and communicate
communicate the design
effectively
in an acceptable manner
Color applied but does
Color appropriately
make the visual
applied
appearance of the object
and enhances the
pleasing to the eye
image
Prototype was tested
and correct information
was accurately
documented

Color detracts from the

Color applied but some
three dimensional
color incorrect
image

Prototype was tested and Prototype was tested

most information was
and some information
documented
was documented

Prototype was tested

but correct information
was not documented

* If a grading topic is not attempted at all, no points will be accumulated for that topic.
Design Phase X Inventor Drawings
TOTAL OF 200 POINTS (Presented as Two Grades in Gradebook)
Topics
20 points
17 points
15 points
.ipt part files general

.ipt files created for all 5 parts;

.ipt files are accurate

.idw part files alignment

.idw files created for all 5 parts

and all views are accurately
placed and aligned

.idw part files dimensioning

Dimensions shown correctly in

all views

.iam assembled
cube filegeneral
.iam assembled
cube file constraints

.idw of
assembled
cube with BOM

.ipn cube file

(animated
explosion)

.iam verifies the assembly

.iam includes all parts
thoroughly and clearly presents
but some errors are
all parts with appropriate color
present
etc.
All constraints present
Parts are completely and
but some inefficiently
efficiently constrained
applied
All parts present and
All parts present and accurately represented with
represented with a balloon;
balloons but format
BOM is accurate, formatted
and / or BOM
correctly, and includes
descriptions are
thorough descriptions
confusing
.ipn file is accurate, visually
appealing, and communicates
overall design in best format;
Tweaks and animation clearly

13 points

.ipt files created for all

.ipt files created for all 5 parts but are not
.ipt files not created
5 parts but some have accurately
for all 5 parts
minor errors
constructed in
Inventor
.idw files created for all
.idw files not
.idw files created for
5 parts but some views
created for all 5
all 5 parts but some
are not accurately
parts and / or many
views missing
placed and aligned
views are missing
Dimensions shown
Dimensions shown
but do not follow
Dimensions shown
correctly in most views correct format in most but are incorrect
views

Tweaks and animation

accurately presents all
parts and their
assembly but is

.iam includes all parts .iam attempted but

but many errors are
does not include all
present
parts
Some constraints
Most constraints
missing or inefficiently missing or
applied
inefficiently applied
All parts present and
represented with
balloons but some
are not correctly
represented and / or
described

File is missing
information and / or
correct format was
not followed for
balloons and BOM

Some parts and their

assembly are not
completely presented
with appropriate

.ipn attempted but

has many errors
and / or is missing
most tweaks

Topics

20 points

17 points

and accurately documents all

parts and their assembly

.idw file of
exploded cube
with BOM

confusing and / or is
visually distracting
All parts present and
All parts present and accurately
represented with
represented with a balloon;
balloons but format
Proper spacing is used; BOM is
and / or BOM
accurate, formatted correctly,
descriptions are
and includes thorough
confusing
descriptions

Title Blocks

All title blocks formatted

correctly and present accurate
information

File
management

All files stored correctly as a

project in a clear format

All title blocks are

formatted correctly but
some have missing /
inaccurate information
All files are stored
together as a project
but format introduces
confusion (i.e. names
are confusing)

15 points

13 points

tweaks and animation

All parts present and
represented with
balloons but some
are not correctly
represented and / or
described

File is missing
information and / or
correct format was
not followed for
balloons and BOM

Some title blocks not

formatted correctly

Title blocks
attempted but are
not formatted
correctly

Most files are stored

together as a project
but some are filed
incorrectly

Some files are

difficult to locate
and / or missing

* If a grading topic is not attempted at all, no points will be accumulated for that topic.

Design Phase XI Construction with Wooden Blocks

TOTAL OF 40 POINTS
(Reported with Design Proposal Phase in Gradebook as One Grade Totaling 100)
*Multiply your score by 2.5 to compute a % score.
Topics
8 points
7 points
6 points
5 points
Design
Creativity

Design
Constraints

Fit

Color

Quality
(Wow
factor)

Design is creative and

presents some
complexity (all pieces
except one interlock in
3 directions)
Meets most design
Fully meets design
constraints and
constraints
supports the design
function
Pieces fit together to
Pieces fit together with no
form final cube but
noticeable gaps or rough
some pieces are not
transitions are present in
aligned / sanded
final puzzle
properly
Color applied but does
Color appropriately
make the visual
applied and enhances the appearance of the
design
object pleasing to the
eye
Puzzle cube is
Puzzle cube is
constructed with accuracy constructed with
and is visual appealing;
accuracy; Design and
Cube offers a challenge to visual appearance is
the target consumer
acceptable
Design is creative and
presents complexity (all
pieces interlock in 3
directions)

Design is somewhat
Design is simple and
creative but two pieces do
does not interlock well
not interlock in 3 directions

Meets some constraints

Does not meet

constraints

Overall puzzle can not

Overall puzzle is difficult to
be constructed correctly
construct because some
because some pieces
pieces are not aligned /
are not aligned / sanded
sanded properly
properly
Color detracts from the
puzzle

Color incorrectly applied

Puzzle cube is constructed

with accuracy but does not Puzzle cubes
construction and design
offer a visually appealing
and challenging puzzle for is poor
the target consumer

* If a grading topic is not attempted at all, no points will be accumulated for that topic.
Design Phase XII Portfolio

.75

2.25

.75
1.50

1.50
.75

Introduction to Engineering Design

http://global.wisd.org
Drawing Title

White Piece.ipt

White Piece
Name

Section

Ira Mascardo
Date

Introduction to Enginee

Sheet #

Scale

12-10-11

1
1

.75

1.50

2.25

2.25

.75
A

A
1.50

Introduction to Engineering Design

http://global.wisd.org
Drawing Title
Name

Pink Piece.ipt

Pink Piece

Section

Introdution to Engineerin

Ira Mascardo
Date

Sheet #

Scale

12-10-11
2

.75

2.25
B

1.50

1.50
.75

.75
A

Introduction to Engineering Design

http://global.wisd.org
Drawing Title

Green Piece.ipt

Green Piece

Name

Section

Ira Mascardo
Date

Introduction to Engineer
Sheet #

Scale

12-10-11
2

1.50
B

B
.75

.75

2.25

2.25

.75
A

Introduction to Engineering Design

http://global.wisd.org
Drawing Title
Name

Blue Piece.ipt

Blue Piece

Section

Ira Mascardo
Date

12-10-11

Introduction to Enginee
Sheet #

Scale

1.50
B .75

.75
1.50

1.50

.75
A

Introduction to Engineering Design

http://global.wisd.org
Drawing Title
Name

Yellow Piece.ipt

Yellow Piece

Section

Ira Mascardo
Date

Introduction to Engineer
Sheet #

Scale

12-10-11
2

5
1