Project Management Plan“El Destructo”

Memory Loss, Inc.1111 El Destructo Blvd.

Damage Town, USA 11111June 13, 2014

Matt MillerDerrick OldsDavid Hilkern

PROJECT SCOPE:The project challenge put forth is to create a device which can be used

locally to destroy discarded computer hard-drives. This is meant to give users the assurance that the personal digital information stored in the drive will be damaged beyond retrieval by cyber-thieves and hackers. Similar devices are currently commercially available, but they are costly and apparently not durable.

Early in the design phase, the team opted for a cleaving/shearing type of force to be applied at high velocity. This would be entertaining for the user and provide the confidence that personal data is safely destroyed. In addition to the functionality, it has also been imperative that safety is given strong consideration. Shearing forces delivered at high velocity are very unforgiving. It is vital that the hands and other extremities of the user be kept at a safe distance from the brutal strike of the maul’s head. A cage will surround the impact area. Since the hard-drive needs to be placed inside the cage beneath the splitting maul, and then removed after destruction, an opening will be left at one end for access.

The steel L 1” X 1” X 1/8” angle framework which will be used for this project can be considered a project constraint. Because of Memory Loss, Inc.’s commitment to keeping the costs down and reusing existing items, the apparatus must fit adequately within the framework. This will limit the amount of force that can be delivered, owing to available space for acquiring velocity. Therefore, this project will involve making adjustments and structural changes to the existing steel angle framework in order to make it useful as a hard-drive destroying device. Two torsion-springs would load the 7 lb. splitting maul, which, when released, will pivot on a shaft to deliver a powerful blow to the discarded computer part.

The framework which was to be re-purposed for the project had been altered at some point, and was missing an upper support angle. Knowing that under repetitive impact loading this would eventually cause a failure, we first replaced that part of the frame. For a means to load the device, we chose a lever arm which would raise the maul head up to its striking position as the arm was rotated back. This would give a mechanical advantage to the user, reducing the amount of force necessary to load the maul head.

This required the addition of support uprights to the frame, so two 1” by 1” HSS steel braces were fitted and welded into place, and holes were drilled parallel to each other to allow the lever arm to rotate perpendicular to the line of action. The lever arm was fabricated, and a gusset plate was added to reinforce the welds which would be strained each time the device was loaded. A custom saddle bracket had to be fabricated to attach the maul handle to the pivot block. Again, this was one of the project constraints that had to be overcome.

The team decided against a locking mechanism which would be the trigger for unloading the maul head. This was based on the fear that an end user could easily load and lock the device, and then, realizing that they had forgotten to place or remove that hard-drive would reach into the machine. This could be disastrous, so it was decided that the lever arm itself would be the trigger, and the user could not adequately raise the arm to loaded position and reach into the machine at the same time.

The handle of the maul is a resin-coated fiberglass core shaft, and the interface between it and the lever arm was not favorable to the resin coating, so an aluminum skid-pad was riveted to the handle to reduce wear. A head-block was designed with a 45° V-notch. The hard-drive to be destroyed will be placed across the span, and will thereby allow for a greater shear force as the maul head strikes it. In order to keep the components from sticking to the block, it too was sheathed with aluminum to reduce

friction. Finally, the springs torsion springs were added, and then the machine was wrapped in hardware cloth. It is now ready for testing.

The El Destructo framework after cutting and fitting torsion arm support uprights.

El Destructo, still in design and early fabrication.

Design considerations include:

#1) Safety: No spill blood.

#2) Effectiveness : “El Destructo” must deliver massive damage.

#3) Portability : This mechanism must be capable of being moved.

#4) Low Maintenance : Hard-drives and their remnants must not “stick” in the workings of the machine. Moving parts must continue to move without much upkeep.

#5) Visual Appeal : You’re going to want to see this.

#6) Longevity : “El Destructo” will be durable.

Project Schedule:

Week of 5/5 Week of 5/12 Week of 5/19 Week of 5/26 Week of 6/2Major Deliverable Parts Design Make Gravity Complete Finish lifting arm Test spring function

Functional Parts designSecondary deliverable Finish parts

designComplete spring design

Test gravity function

Write Report

Tertiary deliverable Start spring design

Start lifting arm design

Install springs

Milestones:April 4th…….Team formed, project challenge accepted.

April 12th…….Maul head for “El Destructo” located and prepared for use.

April 15th…….Framework located for the machine on PCC Sylvania Campus.

April 26th…….Planning meeting/hands-on alterations to framework begin.

May 10th…….Torsion arm uprights installed.

May 25th…….Device assembled and ready for torsion springs.

June 2nd…….Torsion springs ordered.

STAFFING MANAGEMENT PLAN:Project Manager: Matt Miller

Responsible for: Ensuring project is kept on track, on time, and on budget. Makes sure that team members are communicating and producing, and have what they need to keep the project moving forward; contributing data for report; hands-on building/altering, design input.

Bio: Why I decided to be an engineer.

I have always had an interest in how things work and like to take things apart to see the “insides”. While at work I had someone over hear my conversation about tinkering and liking to take things apart and they suggested that engineering would be a good fit. I looked into it and found I liked engineering a lot with all of its math and “goal” finding, so I joined PCC’s Mechanical Engineering Technology program in winter of 2012.

Technical Lead: Derrick Olds

Responsible for: Design ideas/concepts, technical input, contributing to final report.

Bio: Why I got into the CMET programI decided to enter into the CMET program for many reasons. The main

reason I started this program was to simply make a better life for myself. I really enjoyed Math and Science growing up and knew that someday I wanted to work in one of those fields. When I found out about the CMET program it was a no brainer. It combined the two things I enjoyed learning about the most into one program. Other factors that made this an easy decision for me was the faculty and their willingness to help me with my goals early on. One last thing that made me choose this program was the fact that it’s a short two year commitment that gives you all the tools you need to be highly successful in today’s job market.

Communications Specialist: David Hilkern

Responsible for: Presentations, hands-on building/altering, design input, contributing to final report.

Bio: My Reasons for Entering CMET:I have been building and customizing homes for just over 25 years, and

have had a fairly successful run as a general contractor. I love to build! However I have always been a “hands on” person, and wanted to find a way to take my construction knowledge and capabilities to the next level, but didn’t want to be stuck in an office. I’ve always been interested in physics and forces in nature, and would like to build/inspect bridges around the region.

Comments:

I feel that all team members have contributed more or less equally in the development and construction of El Destructo, and the team has done a reasonably good job of making the device a reality. Given the quantity of other work that team members are required to do in conjunction with this

project, I am pleased with the outcome.

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGEMENT PLAN:

Communications for “Memory Loss, Inc.” will include daily mini-meetings to discuss progress and pose questions/ideas. Formal meetings will be held occasionally for the purpose of ensuring that “El Destructo” remains on track for final presentation on June 13th, 2014. Additionally all team members will be able to communicate with one another through electronic media; texts, emails, etc.

The maul head is attached to the pivot shaft for the first time…

El Destructo ready for torsion springs and safety cage…

Overhead view of El Destructo

El Destructo’s powerful maul head and lever arm mechanism…

COST MANAGEMENT PLAN:The primary mechanism used by Memory Loss, Inc. for keeping costs

under control will be recycling/repurposing. The major components for “El Destructo” will come as the result of scavenging and scrapping for parts/ bits of steel usable. It is acknowledged that some cost will be incurred, but those costs will be minor and will be kept below $30.00.

BOM

Project TeamStructure Level

1 2 3 4 Description Qty Cost OwnerScourc

e1 "El Destructo" 1 $0.00

2 L brakcet frame 1 $25.002 Swing arm assembly 1 $0.00

3 3/4" Diameter steel rod 1 $15.003 5"x3"x1 1/2" Aluminum Block 1 $20.003 90° torsion spring 2 $2.223 180° torsion spring 2 $2.223 3/4" bolts 2 $0.503 3/4" washers 2 $0.103 3/4" nuts 2 $0.253 18" x 2" x 1/8" steel saddle 1 $5.00

2 Axe Assembly 1 $0.003 7 lb Maul Head 1 $4.50

3 14" Fiberglass handle 1 $7.502 Chopping Block 1 $0.00

3 4x6 pressure treated lumber (1 foot) 1 $2.003 sheet metal 1 $1.25

2 Lifting Arm 1 $0.003 Rebar 1 $6.50

2 Hardware Cloth 1 $7.00

RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN:

One of the greatest challenges in designing and building a machine which causes destruction is, of course, the safety of the end-user. Creating a device made for destroying things is relatively easy. Creating one that won’t turn on its operator is a bit more difficult. The greatest risk in using “El Destructo” is physical trauma to the user, and because of the device’s capacity, personal physical injury could be great. The following statement should accompany the device wherever it goes, and should be read before operating “El Destructo”:

“This device is by design inherently dangerous. The designers/fabricators of “El Destructo” advise that it should not be used by ANY person, under ANY circumstances, at ANY time. However, if this strong warning is ignored, it is 100% vital that “El Destructo” be OPERATED BY ONE AND ONLY ONE PERSON AT A TIME! No exceptions…this cannot be overstressed. Usage by two or more people will almost surely result in dismemberment or worse!”

The primary safety factor built into “El Destructo” is the ½” by ½” hardware cloth “cage” wrapping most of the mechanism’s enclosure. This will keep even the smallest fingers from reaching the components inside, and stop flying debris should it occur. The apparatus is designed so that in order to draw the head of the maul up, the operator must stand behind “El Destructo”. Only there can the lever be fully drawn up. Thus, the operator is protected by the cage from the maul head’s smashing force. When loading/unloading the machine, two hands must be used. One to partially lift the maul head slightly, the other for inserting or removing the hard-drive. Any other usage of this machine can, and most likely will result in injury to the user.

Despite careful considerations with regard to safety, NO WARRANTY will be offered for the device, and members of Memory Loss, Inc. will bear no responsibility for any damage caused through the use or misuse of “El Destructo.”

Risk Matrix:

Negligible Marginal Critical Catastrophic

Certain Device used to crush other items

Wear and tear due to impact loading

Likely Loosening of connective hardware

Possible Head block shears along wood grain

Traumatic Injury due to misuse

Unlikely

Rare

TEST PLAN:Discarded hard-drives are being made available through the instructor,

so the test plan involves the use of some of these for testing. At the time of this writing, no formal testing of the device has been done. Early calculations showed that a force of around 6,000 psi would be achieved; however more careful examination shows that the force will be considerably less. At the time of this writing, the team is trying to acquire “stiffer” torsion springs which will provide greater force to the maul head mechanism.