Project Proposal/Management
SITUATION:
As a designer you are required to find a solution to a problem relating to holding, storing and carrying pencils. Organizing items we use in our daily lives is important. If we were to walk around with a hand full of pencils in our hands, sooner or later pencils would become lost or damaged. We need to find a solution to storing our pencils securely and safely.
BRIEF:
Design and manufacture a ‘Pencil Box’ to hold a selection of pencils and other stationary items. The pencils need to be stored to prevent damage to the sharpened tips; keep them captive and a method found for easy pencil retrieval.
The Pencil Box will require a ‘logo’ or ‘branding’ that represents you.
LIMITATIONS:
The Pencil Box sides and ends will have rebated corners and be manufactured from four pieces of Hoop Pine. The base will be made from plywood and the lid made from acrylic. The physical size should not be larger than 200mm long, 100mm wide and 90mm height. The hoop pine is 12mm thick.
A ‘logo’ or ‘brand’ must be on the sides or the lid of the pencil box.
Project Development & Realization
Existing Ideas
Pros Cons Interesting
Points
Will not easily break. Not very appealing. The sliding cap doubles as a ruler.
Easy to take with you.
Pros Cons Interesting
Points
Looks Good May not be big enough Can easily slip into your bag
Has lots of storage spots
Very durable
Pros Cons Interesting
Points
Looks Good Not very appealing to kids. Can easily fit in a bag.
Very durable
Has lots iof storage space.
Materials
The two materials that I used were;
– Hoop Pine
Hoop pine is a Queensland timber whose ease of use has made it popular for general construction purposes; flooring, joinery, shelving and cupboards, furniture, and plywood. When treated with preservatives it is suitable for outdoor uses such as fencing, pergolas, landscaping, retaining walls, and playground equipment. It is also used for a variety of non-architectural and non-building purposes, such as the manufacture of musical instruments, drafting instruments and brushware. It is a very fine and evenly textured wood with a straight grain. The growth rings are visible but not distinct and the figure is plain or mottled.
– Polyurethane
We use polyurethanes in one form or another every day – at home, in our offices and cars, for sport and leisure activities and on holiday. Polyurethanes are versatile, modern and safe. They are used in a wide variety of applications to create all manner of consumer and industrial products that play a crucial role in making our lives more convenient, comfortable and environmentally friendly. Polyurethane is a plastic material, which exists in various forms. It can be tailored to be either rigid or flexible, and is the material of choice for a broad range of end-user applications such as: insulation of refrigerators and freezers, building insulation, cushioning for furniture, mattresses, car parts, coatings, adhesives, rollers and tires, composite wood panels, shoe soles and sportswear.
Tools and Machines
The two main tools and machines that I used were;
– Chisel
A chisel is a long-bladed hand tool with a beveled cutting edge and a handle which is struck with a hammer or mallet, used to cut or shape wood, stone, or metal. I used the chisel as it is an efficient hand held tool that you can use anywhere. I used the chisel to cut the rebate joints. The chisel got the job done for my project and it did it well.
– Linisher
A linisher is the machine version of a portable belt sander and it works exactly the same way as one. This machine is the opposite to a disc sander which is only for end grain where the linisher is for the edges and faces of a piece of timber. Because the linisher is used to sand the edges and faces of timber you have to make sure you are sanding with the grain or the linisher will leave deep scratches on your timber. I used the linisher and it did the job just right.
Design Catalyst
Rebate Joint
1. Mark out lightly with a ruler 12mm into the wood and 6mm down
2. Then mark it out more bolder and cut 6mm into the wood (cut out slightly next
To the line)
3. Next chisel out the remaining wood until you’re up to the line 6mm down.
4. Finally file it out so there are no hills or bumps
An advantage of this joint is that it strongly holds all pieces of my pencil box together. And there are no disadvantages that I know of. We will be using this joint on our pencil to connect all pieces of hoop pine we are using it to hold our pencil box together. The joint we are using for our project is a rebate joint we are using this joint because it is fairly easy to make and not too complicated as most of us have never done this before. This joint is also pretty strong which we need to hold our pencil box together
Through House Joint
Housing joints are used when two pieces meet at right angles on their narrow face. A shallow trench is cut across the grain of the vertical member, the shelf or panel is then glued into a simple straightforward housing and all the loads are transferred to the sides of the unit. Pins can further strengthen the joint. The trench of the though housing goes fully across the piece of wood so the joint can be seen.
Cutting List
No. # Parts Name Material Length (mm) Width (mm) Thickness (mm) Quantity Remarks
1. Sides Hoop Pine 200 90 12 2 Housing joint chiseled out at both ends.
2. Front Hope Pine 100 90 12 1 Butt joints to the sides.
3. Back Hoop Pine 100 90 12 1 Butt joints to the side.
4. Base Plywood 186 100 3 1 Slots in the trench of all sides before glued in.
5. Lid Acrylic 193 100 3 1 Drill 15mm hole for finger slot.
Steps of Construction
1. Get 3 pieces wood the same size.
2. Cut 1 piece in half evenly.
3. Measure the other two pieces of wood to draw a straight line 6mm in from the top of the wood.
4. Use either a tenon saw or a band saw and cut along the lines to make your rebate joint. You can use a chisel to clean out your rebate if the timber you insert does not sit flat in the joint.
5. If your joint is flush and square secure it together with adhesive.
6. Grab the two pieces of wood that was cut in half and using one half of wood you will see a little groove on the side of it, cut inside the groove.
7. Then lay both pieces of wood out like you are about to lift them of the table. And glue them together.
8. Put glue inside the grooves and stick all the wood together. And try not to let the wood move once it is glued.
9. The next day it should be fine to grab and move around.
10. Once it is glued get the plastic lid and measure it so it goes into the pencil box nicely. If not use the scroll saw and cut it.
11. After that you can either make 2 holes or 1 hole in your lid.
12. Once it is all done you can either print out and stick a logo on the side of the pencil box or you can laser one on.