A DT Project

GreatAuk

GreatAuk

GreatAuk

Soldato
Joined
3 Apr 2009
Posts
4,032
Location
Warrington
Hi all, After finishing my AS exams, I'm back at school for 3 more weeks until summer holidays begin, and one of the things I have to do is choose a product to research, design, and build for my A2 DT coursework. I had been wondering about a Computer case, as It's be awesome to have a case I made myself, and I'm obviously quite interested in computers (being on this forum and all).

However, my teacher isn't overly keen on me doing this, I think his main concern is that coming up with enough ideas, and building something that isn't just a slightly different to a case that already exists could be difficult. I'm still keen on doing a case (I reckon my school DT department has all the kit I'd need to make it), but I wonder whether anyone else could advise on whether they think this would be a good idea, considering I have to produce a wide range of ideas, and produce a case at the end of it using my own awesome schoolboy DT skills. (the case doesn't actually have to function as a case - i.e. I wouldn't actually have to put stuff in it and turn it on, but it would be nice if I could).
 
Don't do it. I did AS/A2 DT and made the same mistake. Your teacher is helping you by pointing you in the right direction to get the best possible grades.

It sounds like your doing what I did and have your mind made up you have lost focus on what is actually a good idea and what isn't. Speak with your teacher more about this IMO

- Pea0n
 
That confused the crap out of me the As, A2, but you're still at school?

Oh also, if your schools DT department is well stocked and you're confident then go for it.
I went about my gcse coursework, building a stave drum I read all about it and if i'd had the tools I could have done it easy. I then discovered not only did they have crap materials all the lathes were ****ed and I had to change to a boring birdhouse.

Simple is just easier in the long run though.
 
What exam board is your a level with?

Edit - One thing I would suggest without knowing what board you are with is to look into making a non-working prototype, i.e. mould a whacky case from fibreglass.
 
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I should speak to my teacher next lesson, when I will bring some pictures of exciting cases which he may or may not realise are available to see if I can try to win him over, but yes, he probably does know what projects are likely to get high marks better than I do!

And yep, the department is fairly well stocked, and in terms of lathes, we have two wood lathes, two massive metal lathes, and a CNC lathe, none of which seem to get used more than once a year each lol! I do want to avoid something too complex, but then again something too simple wouldn't get top marks I suppose..

This is with the AQA board.
 
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Someone on these boards has done a similiar project. Not sure if it was for DT or just as a side project but they were at school and their DT teacher was helping.

Pitch the idea to the teacher, if he still isnt keen then it's probably best to follow that advice!
 
Is it the Product Design course you're on? I've just marked a class full of A2 Product Design coursework / practical so I could help with requirements for whatever grade you're hoping to acheive. Have you got any info/pics on what you did for AS and the grade you got?
 
I did a PC case for my A2 purely because I hated the course and at the time I couldn't think of anything I'd rather do apart from mod PC cases. Designed it back in 2004 when cases were just starting to get 120mm fans so having the space for 6 was extreme, could easily fit 2 rads in for watercooling and only cost about £40 to make. Never used it in the end as I spent far too long designing it and had to rush the details, so the PCI cards are not securely held in, stole a hard drive rack from a shuttle and the right angled kettle lead never arrived in time so had to lower the PSU mounts limiting the choice of motherboards.

Finished result:
P1010010a.jpg


Pic taken before I'd attached the aluminium corner strips.

In the end I got a bad mark due to rushed work and poor supporting paperwork, also when you submit your idea to the exam board they list criteria you have to meet. One of mine was to be aware of housing electrical components and I didn't go far enough to talk about earthing the case and contents.

If I was to do it again I'd probably make a chair or a table. Some people in our year made garden benches and wardrobes but struggled with ideas of how to get them home. Your DT teacher probably isn't comfortable with the idea because they won't know enough about them to guide you.
 
When I did DT the point was to find something that had a problem and improve on it and less about just making something that looks good.

If you insist on doing a PC style case I have a better idea for you:

As everyone in the world is aware, Xbox 360's are well known to RROD due to heat issues. Design and build a new 360 case that increases cooling efficiency and thus either increasing the lifespan of the 360 OR removing the risk of RROD completely.

You have a problem to solve & you still get to work on what you wanted.

I am currently in the process of designing an R2D2 case for a 360, although time is proving a PITA! If I ever get around to finishing the design and building it then it will be a miracle :)
 
Simple/straightforward with a decent problem to fix and focus on is the way to go.
Don't overstretch yourself.

Don't 'reckon' they have all the kit you need. Make sure they do.

Do something that's easily achievable with the tools/materials that your school or college has to offer. I'm no expert but i could see a pc case having a dozen different problems when you're making it. Unless its a straight forward and well planned design.

Theres always one in the class who bites off more than he/she can chew with a project, don't be this person. (Not saying a pc case would lead to that though, just drawing on experience from project work in sixth form/uni).

If i remember my A Level DT there were such things as a wooden guitar, a traffic light type disco thing, a simple chair/sofa, a tv cabinet, shelving cabinets, a mock lighthouse. The simplest things got the best marks iirc but they were backed up by excellent reports. A fair chunk of your grade as you'd know is your report/exam anyway.

Talk to your teachers tbh as they know best, remember that they've probably seen dozens of completed projects at AS/A2. They should know which ones have failed and which have succeeded.

Just my two cents, Good Luck.
 
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Having failed to convince my teacher a case would be a good idea, I am now looking into other projects. It's a bit of a shame but tbh I can see where he's coming from, so I'll just have to find something else to do... I have a book on wood turning and a weekend to decide on some other ideas that he was more enthusiastic about, so I should have the beginnings of a coursework by Monday.

Thanks for the ideas everyone, and nice case Steeps!
 
I made a fancy clock for my Craft & Design (Scottish equiv of DT), Triangular with a recessed clock facing and custom clockwork with a raised base and brasswork holding it up.

All the teachers commented that it was an unusual choice since as you've mentioned furniture is a standard choice. But unusual tends to stand out as long as it's done right.
 
Someone in my year made a computer case, i think he failed for the practical work. I however made some shelves which were literally just a box with 2 pieces of acrylic in and due to having various cuts and techniques used got a B for the practical. It pays to listen to your teachers.
 
when i didmy DT course i really wish we could have been open to design somthing that we could choose to do, instead we were limited to a fold away chair that could support a person :(
 
I did a PC case for AS although it was pretty poor after I'd spent all my money on aluminium, perspex and paint, had none left for anything special to fit in it, plus I had to rush it, I finished 4 minutes before the deadline.

14108_420638665578_545940578_5338285_3862796_n.jpg


It looks better in the flesh :o
 
Pea0n said:
Don't do it. I did AS/A2 DT and made the same mistake. Your teacher is helping you by pointing you in the right direction to get the best possible grades.

It sounds like your doing what I did and have your mind made up you have lost focus on what is actually a good idea and what isn't. Speak with your teacher more about this IMO

- Pea0n
Click to expand...

I did exactly this. Chair made out of a mini front and rear end. Don't do it!!!
 
I wanted to make a sit down arcade cabinet for my PC back in the day of CRTs and 486s.

My DT teacher was seriously not keen.

I ended up making a maple laminated skateboard. Wrote to and received replies form some of the top manufacturers at the time for my write up which was good. Can't remember the marks as it was around 20 years ago :D.

Still would have preferred a sit down arcade cabinet for my PC ;).

RB
 
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