HA part 05 Report

Household appliances

Part 5: Household appliances – engineering report

AcknowledgmentsThis publication is copyright Learning Materials Production, Open Training and Education Network – Distance Education, NSW Department of Education and Training, however it may contain material from other sources which is not owned by Learning Materials Production. Learning Materials Production would

like to acknowledge the following people and organisations whose material has been used.

Board of Studies, NSW

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© Learning Materials Production, Open Training and Education Network – Distance Education, NSW Department of Education and Training, 1999. 51 Wentworth Rd. Strathfield NSW 2135.

Revised 2001

Introduction.................................................................................2

What will you learn?........................................................................2

An engineering report.................................................................3

Research skills................................................................................3

Aims of an engineering report.........................................................5

Structure of an engineering report...................................................5

Developing an engineering report...................................................7

Sample engineering report..............................................................8

Exercise....................................................................................15

Progress check.........................................................................17

Exercise cover sheet.................................................................19

Bibliography..............................................................................21

Module evaluation.....................................................................23

Part 5: Household appliances – engineering report 1

a

Introduction

During the Engineering Studies course you will complete an engineering report as part of each module. Each engineering report may vary depending on the purpose.

An engineering report must contain technical information which should be communicated in a variety of formats – words are essential, but so are freehand and technical drawings. A wide range of sources of information need to be consulted and the material used documented. There must be evidence of analysis which supports conclusions or recommendations.

As this is the last part of the module you should demonstrate the knowledge and skills you have gained to produce the best possible engineering report. Your engineering report should provide clear evidence of the level of achievement in this module.

In this part you will investigate the materials used in a household appliance of your choice and explain manufacturing or inservice properties of the materials.

What will you learn?You will learn about:

• engineering report writing

• communication

– research methods including the Internet, CD-ROM and libraries

– collaborative work practices.

You will learn to:

• complete an engineering report based on the analysis of one or more household appliances, integrating the use of computer software

• conduct research using appropriate computer technologies and other resources.

Extract from Stage 6 Engineering Studies Syllabus, © Board of Studies, NSW, 1999.

Refer to <http//ww.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au> for original and current documents.

2 Household appliances

An engineering report is a formal, considered document which draws together information gained about a product or field, through research and analysis, to arrive at a conclusion or present recommendations based on investigation.

Engineers do not communicate with words alone. In an engineering report, technical information is presented using a combination of text, tables, graphs and diagrams.

An engineering report for an application module involves:

• outlining the area under investigation

• collecting and analysing available data

• drawing conclusions and/or proposing recommendations

• acknowledging contributions form individuals or groups

• recording sources of information

• including any relevant additional support material.

An engineering report for a focus module involves covering additional aspects such as:

• examining the nature of the work done by the profession

• discussing issues related to the field.

Research skillsOne of the main challenges of using the Internet to search for information is being able to refine your search to find what you are looking for.

When looking for information it is important that you know exactly what terms you are looking for and/or alternative terms that will help locate the information.

For example, when locating information on the topic ‘Magnetic Induction’ via the CD-ROM of an encyclopaedia, I found my search


unsuccessful. However, using a bit of lateral thinking I was able to develop a number of alternative words and phrases that eventually proved more successful, including

• induction

• magnetic

• electric

• electric induction.

The process of developing alternative terms is essential for successful research. Time spent developing these alternatives will in the long term save you time and when on the Internet, money.

Preparing for your engineering report

This is the last part before commencing your first engineering report.

The sample engineering report will feature toasters. The engineering report is more detailed than the brief case studies you have read. Your report requires you to complete research. You will need to begin (continue?) your research this week. You may base your report on any type of household appliances you have access to.

Do not dismantle any working appliance!

It is most important that no electrical appliance has its electrical compartment opened. The 240 volt power will kill. Any appliance tampered with will be a danger to all future users. Do not take the risk with your life and never take the risk with other peoples lives.

The report has many sections, but a critical section that requires speciality research involves material used.

Try to find information about specific materials that you have identified in the product.

For instance, you can see a metal part that looks like chrome. Research Chromium plated steel and prepare information for your report.

It will be more difficult to specifically identify polymers. You may be able to contact the manufactures directly. In the case of a particular part of appliances, such as the electrical cord, you may research electrical cord directly rather than through the appliance manufacturer.


Begin your research on the materials in a household appliance before you start Part 5. This will make it easier for you to analyse your product and to draw conclusion about the materials used.

Aims of an engineering reportA well structured engineering report aims to:

• demonstrate effective management, research, analysis and communication skills related to the content

• include data relevant to the area under investigation

• present information clearly and concisely so that it is easily understood by the reader through the use of tables, graphs and diagrams to illustrate mathematical and scientific facts

• justify the purpose using observations, calculations, or other evidence, to support a conclusion or recommendations.

• document contributions and sources of information.

Structure of an engineering reportAn engineering report generally includes the following sections:

• title page

• abstract

• introduction

• analysis

• result summary

• conclusions/recommendations

• acknowledgments

• bibliography

• appendices.

Title page

The title page gives the title of the engineering report, identifies the author and gives the date when the report was completed.


Abstract

The abstract is a concise statement that describes the content of the engineering report. It covers the scope of the report (what it is about) and the approaches used to complete the analysis (how the information was assembled).

The purpose of the abstract is to allow a reader to decide if the engineering report contains relevant information.

The abstract should be no more than two or three paragraphs – shorter if possible.

Introduction

The introduction provides an overview of the subject, purpose and scope of the engineering report. It may contain background information regarding the topic.

It also outlines the sections of the engineering report including why the investigation was undertaken, what research occurred, how data was collected and what anaylsis was conducted.

Analysis

The analysis is the body of the engineering report and should show evidence of research and experimentation. Information about materials and the mechanics of products should be collected or calculated for all engineering reports. This section must contain information required to satisfy the aim and purpose of the report.

Tables and graphs, used to summarise detailed data in a concise form, are common features of an engineering report.

Result summary

The result summary should present the results concisely and note any limitations on the investigation.

The results inform and support the conclusions and recommendations.

Conclusions/recommendations

The conclusions/recommendations summarises major points or issues in earlier sections of the engineering report.

This section requires the author to draw conclusions or make recommendations based on data collected. If the purpose of the engineering report was to ‘select the best…..’, then the selection should be stated and the reason for the choice explained.


Acknowledgments

The acknowledgment section provides the opportunity to credit other people’s work that has contributed to the report.

Bibliography

The bibliography demonstrates that the report is well researched – all references need to be included. Bibliographic entries should follow established guidelines.

A standard approach for referencing bibliographic entries includes identifying the name of the author, the year of publication, the title of the work, the name of the publisher and the place of publication.

For example:

Ritchie. J, and Simpson. G, 1998 Engineering Application – A project-based approach, Butterworth-Heineman, United Kingdom.

This information allows the reader to source the information for confirmation of the details or conduct further research.

Appendices

The appendices should contain detail that has been separated from the main body of the engineering report. The information in this section is not essential but enhances the other data. Examples could be engineering drawings of products being compared, where the overall dimensions of the product may not have been part of the report, but may be relevant to some readers.

During the engineering course this section may contain a technical drawing and could include information collected from organisations.

Developing an engineering reportResearch and collaboration are the keys to developing an accurate and informative engineering report.

Research methods

Research is a critical function for professional engineers. The process involves:

1 Clarifying the issue

The first step involves clarifying the issue under investigation and selecting an approach. This may require selecting sample materials, experimentation, working collaboratively with others.


2 Collecting data

The second step involves collecting data. Sources such as the Internet, CD-ROM, encyclopedia, texts and journals are all locations where information can be gathered.

NOTE: Take care when gathering information from the Internet. Verify the accuracy and reliability of the information by checking the qualifications of the source, it cannot be assumed that the person(s) placing the information on the Internet is an expert on the subject.

3 Analysing and interpreting information

The third step involves relating the evidence collected to support conclusions drawn or recommendations made.

Collaborative work practices

Collaboration involves working with others. It is an effective and efficient means of obtaining information and support during a project. The degree of collaboration can range from including the contribution of others through discussion to the involvement of a team depending on the project.

Sample engineering reportThe following section contains a sample engineering report on a household appliance – the electric toaster.

The sample engineering report compares an early model to a late model appliance.

You can use the sample engineering report as a guide when presenting your work.

Your engineering report will investigate the materials used in a household appliance of your choice and explain manufacturing or inservice properties of the materials.


Household appliances

Title: Comparison of the materials used in an early model electric toaster to a late model electrical toaster.

Author: B. Zarzoff

Date: January 2000

Abstract

The report makes a comparison of the materials used in two electric toasters – the Johnson 21B (1930) and the ‘Ubeaut’ (2000).

Introduction

The report examines two electric toasters, investigating the materials used.

The aim of this report is to identify and distinguish various materials.

The analysis section concerns identification of materials used in various parts of the toasters. The results section presents the data in a table format. The conclusion explains the differences in the materials used and suggests reasons for the change. The acknowledgement section and the bibliography section lists resources consulted. The appendices contains related information and technical drawings.

Analysis

The main components of the electric toaster include the:

• electrical cord - wire plus insulation

• electrical plug - screws, fittings and body

• base

• electrical element

• sliding bread holder

• springs

• control switch

• crumb catching drawer.

The three main materials used in the electric toaster and the engineering properties of each are:

1 Steel

– rigid and strong in service

– heat resistant

– wear resistant – particularly necessary at the pivot points.

2 Copper

– flexible (the electrical cord can be bent without fracturing the wire)

– heat resistant

– conduct electricity with little resistance.

3 Thermosetting polymer

– smooth surface finish making it easy to clean

– insulator remains cool to the touch stable under variations in heat.

This section should continue to identify materials used in the toaster component by component.

Results summary

The following table compares the materials used in the early model toaster to the materials used in a late model toaster.

Part Early model toaster material

Late model toaster material

electrical cord copper wire, woven cloth coated with rubber

copper, multistrand wire, thermosoftening polymer insulation

electrical plug – screws and fittings

moulded thermosetting polymer plug, steel screws

thermosoftening polymer plug, no metal fasteners in plug

Base/body chrome plated steel

polymer coated steel

heating element

nichrome nichrome

bread holder chrome plated steel

chrome plated steel

springs medium carbon steel

medium carbon steel, heavily work hardened

control switch/knob

bakelite – thermosetting polymer

thermosetting polymer

crumb catching drawer

mild steel polymer tray

A results summary should be concise overview of the information gathered. Table format is typical, but graphs and text are also acceptable and appropriate in particular circumstances.

Conclusions

Based on the inspection of the two toasters, a noticeable change has occurred in the use of materials. The main trend has involved the increasing use of polymers, particularly thermosoftening types.

These changes are likely to have been made by the manufacturer because:

• new materials have become available that fulfil the needs of the component but can be purchased at a lower cost than the original material

• new manufacturing techniques are available that are suited to particular materials, notably polymers

• there appears to be an increase in the number of safety features present in the new toaster, again linked to polymers and their insulating properties.

Some materials have maintained their useage. For instance, steel remains integral to both toasters.

The conclusion needs to directly relate to the abstract and introduction of the report. All statements should be supported by evidence, that is data. That data should be included in the report.

Acknowledgments

Use this section as evidence that extensive contacts have been made.

Bibliography

Bolton, W, 1998, Engineering materials Technology, Newness Butterworth Heinemann Ltd, Oxford.

Brown, D, 1981, Basic Metallurgy, Delmar Pub. Inc, Albany New York.

Sheedy, P. A, 1989, Materials – properties, R.Brown & Associates, Bathurst NSW.

<www.csiro.au> Data

Use this section as evidence that extensive research has been undertaken and the report is a well researched document.

Appendices

Technical Drawings

Isometric sketch of the toaster

Figure 5.1 Isometric sketch

Orthogonal drawing of the toaster

Figure 5.2 Orthogonal drawing

Left side view Front view

Complete a technical drawing by hand, by instrument or by CAD. This technical drawing should provide evidence that the report writer is able to use technical drawing as a communication tool.

Safety issues

• Electrical appliances are potentially fatal. They should always be kept at a safe distance from water.

• Toasters should always be unplugged before attempting to remove stuck toast. Contact with the electrical wires inside can cause death.

• Any electrical appliance can cause fires. Smoke detectors should be installed in all homes.

• Young children should not operate electrical equipment.

• Only profession electricians should repair damaged electrical leads.

The early model toaster appears to have less electrical insulation. The insulation materials used appear to have worn, as the material was cloth based. There also appears to be some mica used as insulation in various insulation positions.

Heat insulation is not good on the early model toaster. The outside surfaces heat to a potentially dangerous temperature.

This information, while not directly related to the topic, it is vitally important.

Exercise 5.1

Report on materials used in a household appliance.

• Investigate the materials used in the product, component by component.

• Explain what manufacturing or service properties are required for the material in each component and why the material is suitable.

The conclusion for this report should describe any trends you noticed in the application of materials for particular components or functions in household appliances.

Remember, it is important to use graphics, tables and technical drawings to support your engineering report and integrate the use of computing software as appropriate.

You should have completed a lot of the background information and research during each part of the module, now it is time to pull it all together into a well presented engineering report.

Contact your teacher with any queries and to discuss your engineering report.


Try to:

• avoid euphemisms, for example, ‘previous owned’ should be ‘second hand’

• be brief and strive for clarity in your statements

• base your conclusions on the data you collect.

You may choose any household product you have available. A rejected broken down appliance is probably a good choice. Read through the format and make yourself familiar with what you need to answer.

If possible, telephone your teacher to discuss your choice of household appliance.

Do not dismantle any electrical appliance that will be used again. Locate an old appliance that can be/has been discarded. Do not reassemble an appliance you have dismantled – electricity kills!

Part 5: Engineering report 15

During this part of the module you produced an engineering report on a household appliance.

Take a few moments to reflect on your learning then tick the box that best represents your level of achievement.

Agree – well done

Ag

ree

Dis

agre

e

Un

cert

ain Disagree – revise your work

Uncertain – contact your teacher

I have learnt about

• engineering report writing.

I have learnt to

• complete an engineering report based on the analysis of one or more household appliances, integrating the use of computer software.

Extract from Stage 6 Engineering StudiesSyllabus, © Board of Studies, NSW, 1999.

Refer to <http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au> for original and current documents.

Congratulations! You have now completed Household appliances.



Exercise 5.1 Name: __________________________________

Check!

Have you have completed the following exercise and included all the sections?

Exercise 5.1

• title page

• abstract

• introduction

• analysis

• result summary

• conclusions

• acknowledgments

• bibliography

• appendices.

If you study Stage 6 Engineering Studies through a Distance Education Centre/School (DEC) you will need to return the exercise pages with your responses.

Return the exercise pages with the Title Page cover attached. Do not return all the notes, they should be filed for future reference.

If you study Stage 6 Engineering Studies through the OTEN Open Learning Program (OLP) refer to the Learner’s Guide to determine which exercises you need to return to your teacher along with the Mark Record Slip.

Please complete and return the module evaluation that follows.



Board of Studies, 1999, The New Higher School Certificate Assessment Support Document, Board of Studies NSW, Sydney.

Board of Studies, 1999, Stage 6 Engineering Stuidies Examination, Assessment and Reporting, Board of Studies NSW, Sydney.

Board of Studies, 1999, Stage 6 Engineering Stuidies Support Document, Board of Studies NSW, Sydney.

Board of Studies, 1999, Stage 6 Engineering Stuidies Syllabus,Board of Studies NSW, Sydney.

Eide, A. Jenison, R. and Northup, L. 1998, Introduction to Engineering Design and Problem Solving, McGaw Hill, United States.

Goldman Ruben, S. 1998, Toilets, Toasters & Telephones, Hardcourt Brace & company, Florida.

Johnston, Gostelow & Jones, 1999, Engineering and Society – An Australian Perspective, Longman, Melbourne.

Ritchie. J, and Simpson. G, 1998 Engineering Application – A project-based approach, Butterworth-Heineman, United Kingdom.

Faraday. M, 1844–1855, Experimental Researches in Electricity, Vol 1-3, Taylor & Francis, London.

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Documents

HA part 05 Report