11/11/18 Project Update

After a number of group meetings and the valuable feedback from the design review, the group is working on clearly addressing the modularity of the lockers. It was found after a Monday team meeting and a Wednesday class breakout session, that the idea of modularity was not consistent between team members. The issue was addressed in a discussion and the mechanical team is now drafting methods of attaching the three types of locker door units: the large one door unit fit to hold two full backpacks, the two-door standard locker size, and the slimmer electronics charging lockers. Additional feedback from returning design review guests and former EPICS students helped guide the goal for this task. At least ten different attachment ideas are to be created and examined this week as well as the decision of whether or not the module aspect of this locker project would overcomplicate and set back the deliverables. Already, nine sketches for a module design were sketched during the lecture’s breakaway. The full list of module ideas as well as the team’s thoughts on their applicability will be posted after the group’s next team meeting.

Project Update

Initially, combining the two distinct needs of the Gilroy Compassion Center and AtHack Inc was a glaring setback for the team. We have found a solution by working on two separate but related deliverables for each community partner: new working lockers for the GCC and a more complex smart locker system design for AtHack. Acknowledging the lack of tech support the GCC has had with their smart lockers, we are planning on creating easy to use mechanical lockers with charging ports inside. The lockers are set to be modular in design so there will be a level of customizability with the size and shape of locker doors. The GCC locker designs will serve as a starting point and will be updated with more features for the AtHack design.

Currently, two locker designs have been drafted in SOLIDWORKS incorporating the Ikea inspired idea, one shown below.

We are also considering the concept of an openable frame that opens all lockers at once to act as a master key for all the lockers. The lock design and manufacturing company, Digilock, also provide a possible solution to a smart mechanical lock. The product we are considering offers a fair amount of security with its mechanical user set combination and master key override.

Digilock’s mechanical locker lock
Find more information here: https://digilock.com/locker-locks/mech/

On, Friday, October 12, we met with technical advisor Dr. Rhee to discuss the potential problems with the designs. She has given us valuable insight on subjects to analyze with the proposed locker such as the heat generated from the outlets if all were used at once and a manufacturer-friendly design.