Changes

#'''Make it 3D.''' Whenever possible, make a 3D representation of your ideas to be able to hold them in your hands and look around. This can be done by using cardboard, straws, skewers, etc in the physical world or by 3D modeling the components in the virtual world.

#'''Make it 3D.''' Whenever possible, make a 3D representation of your ideas to be able to hold them in your hands and look around. This can be done by using cardboard, straws, skewers, etc in the physical world or by 3D modeling the components in the virtual world.

#'''Keep it low cost.''' You have a budget for any project, don't spend much here since it is simply to get some ideas in 3D form.

#'''Keep it low cost.''' You have a budget for any project, don't spend much here since it is simply to get some ideas in 3D form.

#'''Details.''' Put as many details as possible in your prototype, it will help a lot to know them now then trying to figure out last minute how to assemble parts that really don't want to fit together. Make sure to add all your parts into the prototype, this includes electrical wires, power supplies, fasteners and connectors (if applicable).

#'''Details.''' Put as many details as possible in your prototype, it will help a lot to know them now than trying to figure out last minute how to assemble parts that really don't want to fit together. Make sure to add all your parts into the prototype, this includes electrical wires, power supplies, fasteners and connectors (if applicable).

#'''Moving parts.''' Along the same lines as the previous point, if you have any moving parts in your project, try to simulate the motion in your prototype so that you can detect any interference early on.

#'''Moving parts.''' Along the same lines as the previous point, if you have any moving parts in your project, try to simulate the motion in your prototype so that you can detect any interference early on.

#'''Materials and components.''' Make sure that you decide what material you will be making every part of your prototype out of and which specific components will be included.

#'''Materials and components.''' Make sure that you decide what material you will be making every part of your prototype out of and which specific components will be included.

#'''Many parts.''' Don't stop at 1 prototype if you have a complex system. Test out each of the parts to learn if they need refinement or not.

#'''Many parts.''' Don't stop at 1 prototype if you have a complex system. Test out each of the parts to learn if they need refinement or not.

#'''Documentation.''' Start documenting all your processes, you will want to know later how parts fit together and what the reason is for some of your design choices. Make sure to have assembly drawings, electrical schematics, comments in code, etc. Start your Makerepo repository to keep your design files and instructions ([[How to submit a project to MakerRepo]]).

#'''Documentation.''' Start documenting all your processes, you will want to know later how parts fit together and what the reason is for some of your design choices. Make sure to have assembly drawings, electrical schematics, comments in code, etc. Start your Makerepo repository to keep your design files and instructions ([[How to submit a project to MakerRepo]]).

#'''Calculations.''' Don't forget that engineering design does not exclude math. You should calculate components in your system to see if they will work. For example battery life and material strength are ofthen assumed to be ok (but do you really know if it is?).

#'''Calculations.''' Don't forget that engineering design does not exclude math. You should calculate components in your system to see if they will work. For example battery life and material strength are often assumed to be ok (but do you really know if it is?).

#'''Manufacturing.''' Pick the right manufacturing process for each part keeping in mind all the tools at your disposal and your time allocated for building ([https://engineering.uottawa.ca/ceed/design-spaces CEED]). Try to use parts that are commercially available and put them together rather then building everything from scratch.

#'''Manufacturing.''' Pick the right manufacturing process for each part keeping in mind all the tools at your disposal and your time allocated for building ([https://engineering.uottawa.ca/ceed/design-spaces CEED]). Try to use parts that are commercially available and put them together rather then building everything from scratch.

===Tips===

===Tips===

#'''Assembly and troubleshooting.''' This will always take longer then you think and there will always be more problems then you think, leave buffer time!

#'''Assembly and troubleshooting.''' This will always take longer than you think and there will always be more problems than you think, leave buffer time!

#'''Prototype vs product.''' You will do your testing with different components then what will be in your final product. In electronics you might use jumper cables and breadboards to test but wire cut to length and protoboard should be used in a final prototype. In mechanical you might use hot glue or wood/plastic to test but proper fasteners and metal parts should be used in a final prototype (if applicable). In software you might use sudo-code or only sub-functions to test but all code should run without user interference in a final prototype.

#'''Prototype vs product.''' You will do your testing with different components than what will be in your final product. In electronics you might use jumper cables and breadboards to test but wire cut to length and protoboard should be used in a final prototype. In mechanical you might use hot glue or wood/plastic to test but proper fasteners and metal parts should be used in a final prototype (if applicable). In software you might use pseudo-code or only sub-functions to test but all code should run without user interference in a final prototype.

#'''Aesthetics and finishing.''' Don't forget that an aesthetically pleasing product always takes it the extra mile and different finishing (paint, sealant, etc) is important in most cases.

#'''Aesthetics and finishing.''' Don't forget that an aesthetically pleasing product always takes it the extra mile and different finishings (paint, sealant, etc) is important in most cases.

===Rules===

===Rules===