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Toasting Design

Toasting Design

By SoMIAE

Engineering design has a lot of nuances and caveats. This podcast discusses those and a few side tracks from time to time. Brought to you by the School of Mechanical, Industrial and Aeronautical Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand
Currently playing episode

#98 The Seven Steps Part 1

Toasting DesignApr 16, 2021

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30:03
#238 Catering for the "bad" users

#238 Catering for the "bad" users

By bad I mean non-sensical, illogical, uncompromisingly beligerant in following the wrong path. These are the users that don't use your design in the way you intended. How much do we need to cater for such persons in a design? Can we just ignore them? Should we?

Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 22nd Feb 2024

Mar 22, 202424:13
#237 Sport vs Design

#237 Sport vs Design

This episode was initially intended to follow a different topic but, as usually happens, a more interesting topic and set of ideas came forward as we were talking. So it's something to do with sport, something to do with design and as always coming up with different ways of tackling it


Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 22nd Feb 2024

Mar 08, 202420:13
#236 Scaling in Design

#236 Scaling in Design

When does one scale something in design? The term is misleading and often brings to mind the types of activities or tasks that are not applicable in design. Scaling, nevertheless, happens often and in some ways is essential.


Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 17 Jan 2024

Feb 23, 202416:54
#235 Problem Types for Non-Engineering

#235 Problem Types for Non-Engineering

We have covered a number of times the differences in problem types but these are all from a basis of mechanical or aeronautical engineering problems. These are situations where Boer and I have quite some experience. In a manner of how persons without that experience might want to try figure out the problem type, we tackle non engineering related problems.


Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 17 Jan 2024

Feb 09, 202422:54
#234 Another Rescue System

#234 Another Rescue System

This turned out to be a great example of how to go about problem consideration. Specifically the look into a problem start at where it could go. In this situation it is a person skiing off piste that subsequently falls into a deep crevice. Video inspiration below:

https://www.reddit.com/r/ThatsInsane/comments/17zywkn/he_could_had_kept_falling/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3


Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on the 13th Dec 2023

Jan 26, 202425:17
#233 Sand Dunes

#233 Sand Dunes

Not in any way inspired by the Dune films or novels but instead by Boers unending search for records. This time it is the worlds largest dune. Obviously we consider how you would bury something inside of it.


Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on the 13th December 2023

Jan 12, 202419:49
#232 4th Year Project 2024 Part 1

#232 4th Year Project 2024 Part 1

A brief look at what is upcoming for the 4th year projects for 2024. More information will follow in another episode early in 2024.


Hosted by M. Boer and S.Schekman on the 23rd Nov 2023

Dec 29, 202320:07
#231 Unique Sidecars

#231 Unique Sidecars

When do you go outright unique, outright novel or just play it safe and present something no one is surprised about but is actually a reasonable solution. That at least was the aim of this podcast. Let us know by carrier pidgeon if you want us to come back to this.

Video inspiration: https://www.reddit.com/r/BeAmazed/comments/17vwrwy/lost_in_history/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3


Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on the 23rd Nov 2023

Dec 15, 202324:07
#230 A problem with projects

#230 A problem with projects

There are two particular project topics that are irking ol' Boer. It all comes down to key details or aspects just being ignored... at it results in a clear and definitive fail.


Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 2 Nov 2023

Dec 01, 202322:31
#229 Starting with Apples

#229 Starting with Apples

Inspire by the little video linked below, we discuss how an idea like this can be expanded to other problems or project topics. It could be useful to all 2nd, 3rd and 4th year students.

https://www.reddit.com/r/BeAmazed/comments/1736tec/robotic_apple_harvester/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3


Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 2 Nov 2023

Nov 17, 202328:55
#228 The shapes of engineering

#228 The shapes of engineering

Boer has a new theory. It's all about shapes. Not the details of the lines or bits inside of that shape but shape (or silhouette) itself.


Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on the 10th October 2023

Nov 03, 202318:31
#227 A Quick Disclosure

#227 A Quick Disclosure

This is one of those episodes where we talk about what we don't talk about by not talking about it. Its likely useful for our students. I hope.


Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on the 10th October 2023

Oct 20, 202325:03
#226 Still no catwalks

#226 Still no catwalks

Modelling. It still causing confusion - at least I assume so, its been a while since the last episode. Let's make it a little more complicated. Modelling the pushing of a bog - see video linked below as introduced in the previous episode


NOTE: we are hereon moving to an episode every second week. There is plenty backlog in the meantime.


Hosted by M. Boer and S.Schekman on 21st September 2023


Video being discussed

https://www.reddit.com/r/BeAmazed/comments/16ajfh8/pushing_an_island_back_to_its_place/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

Oct 06, 202328:07
#225 Not the one with catwalks

#225 Not the one with catwalks

Modelling. Apparently the principle of this, at least its role in design, is causing confusion. We will keep it simple. Shopping trolleys. Well, modelling of shopping trolleys. Or rather, modelling the interaction of shopping trolleys for a user with only one arm.


Hosted by M. Boer and S.Schekman


Video being discussed

https://www.reddit.com/r/BeAmazed/comments/16ajfh8/pushing_an_island_back_to_its_place/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

Sep 22, 202325:22
#224 Post Options

#224 Post Options

Picture it now. You have developed a preliminary design. It works. It should solve the problem. But on closer inspection it could be better. It should be better. Why is it not already better? I am disapointed in you now...


Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 24 Aug 2023

Sep 15, 202319:57
#223 Magnets!

#223 Magnets!

As though drawing from the Triz list for our topics, we have settled on magnets today. The video inspiration can be found at this link: https://www.reddit.com/r/blackmagicfuckery/comments/15zpay3/invisible_fastener/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3


Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 24 Aug 2023

Sep 08, 202324:29
#222 Concrete Wings

#222 Concrete Wings

Thats quite a literal title. We talk about making aircraft wings (and other non-building type structures) from concrete... It is a good idea?


Hosted by M. Boer and S.Schekman on 17 Aug 2023

Sep 01, 202316:04
#221 The URS Clocks

#221 The URS Clocks

There is a new idea in design. It is Boer's idea. It involves clocks. Tick Tock, not TikTok mind you. And as time runs out for students then so does it run out for design. Of course in this analogy we want time to run out because it means we are done.

Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 17 Aug 2023

Aug 25, 202325:31
#220 The analysis in problem ID

#220 The analysis in problem ID

While it would be great if the problem is just given to us, often we are responsible for identifying or at least refining it ourselves. We discuss how we might approach this in a particular situation.

Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 3rd August 2023

Aug 18, 202318:03
#219 3rd year projects Sem 2

#219 3rd year projects Sem 2

Another discussion on what the 3rd year mech and aero students are doing (or not doing) in their projects during the second semester


Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 3rd August 2023

Aug 11, 202323:04
#218 Invisibility

#218 Invisibility

What does it mean to be invisible? Well, let's discuss. Ok, I realise you can't contribute. So the "us" is me and Boer, not you, me and Boer. If that disappoints you let us know. The email address to contact us at is hidden in the episode by way of code (morse anyone?). Either that or find our email addresses...


Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 20th July 2023

Aug 04, 202320:44
#217 Parking and Dyson Spheres

#217 Parking and Dyson Spheres

Have you ever noted the correlation between parking meters and Dyson spheres? Have you wondered how those measures put in place to manage public parking spaces could be applied to the construction of a structure around a sun? Have you actually listened to any of the podcasts before? There isn't a chance in hell we would be able to join those two points... unless...


Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 20th July 2023

Jul 28, 202322:48
#216 Drop tanks and Jet packs

#216 Drop tanks and Jet packs

Having written that title out I am now a little annoyed that I did not think of actually discussing drop tanks for jet packs. It was right there. We looked at drop "tank" batteries for aircraft, refueling techniques and jet pack sports. I'm dissapointed.


Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 13 July 2023

Jul 21, 202323:40
#215 The Aftermath

#215 The Aftermath

Ahh what it a time it was. Anticipating what sort of work would be submitted by the students. Hoping it would be good. Left with nothing but that hope and no sign of an alternative. Except of course there were signs of the alternative, thats the power of hindsight for you...

It. Did. Not. Go. Well.


Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 13 July 2023

Jul 14, 202316:20
#214 Conversions or Repercussions

#214 Conversions or Repercussions

This topic set is a little more all over the place (our speciality really). A bit on conversions, a bit on repercussions and a dash of aircraft, its really our bread and butter (or toast and butter).


Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 28 June 2023

Jul 07, 202318:56
#213 A little less reckless

#213 A little less reckless

Recent events with oceanic exploration has us thinking of what else to do. Let's stop and think not "can we do it" but "should we do it" and then go about the usual (problem ident, development, etc).


Hosted by M. Boer and S. Schekman on 28 Jun 2023

Jun 30, 202323:34
#212 Windsurfing but without arms

#212 Windsurfing but without arms

In what will become a problem for mech's in the second half of 2023, the allowance for persons without arms to partake in sports can pose as an interesting problem require novel solutions (novel in the sense that they don't yet exist - not regrowth bacta tanks or exoskeleton machines surfing the waves).


Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 24 May 2023

Jun 23, 202324:05
#211 Charging plug and play

#211 Charging plug and play

Going off on a tangent in our favourite way possible we discuss from vehicle exhaust fume extractors to easy plug and release car charging. Try to keep up.


Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 24th May 2023

Jun 16, 202322:29
#210 Windsurfer concepts part 2

#210 Windsurfer concepts part 2

This is a second part to a two parter. Suggest you have a listen to the first. Following on from an exercise for the 3rd year fluids exercise, we discuss what options are present for a wind surfing hydrofoil type design. We discuss what options we could foresee or at least expected and what the students themselves found.


Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on the 11th May 2023

Jun 09, 202327:03
#209 Windsurfer concepts

#209 Windsurfer concepts

Following on from an exercise for the 3rd year fluids exercise, we discuss what options are present for a wind surfing hydrofoil type design. We discuss what options we could foresee or at least expected and what the students themselves found.


Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 11th May 2023

Jun 02, 202326:33
#208 Patenting Flight

#208 Patenting Flight

We look back at Boer's learning for the week and discuss. Unsurprisingly, its about aircraft for the most part.


Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 4th May 2023

May 26, 202323:52
#207 Communicating in hostile territories

#207 Communicating in hostile territories

This topic was inspired by a book (fiction). It doesn't nevertheless make it any less of a possible problem (though certainly a fiction book does not make for a referencable source, no matter how well researched the author may be or say they are). In many ways some of the better problem ideas can come from fiction, especially science fiction.


Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 4th May 2023


Learnings video link: https://www.reddit.com/r/ThatsInsane/comments/12iof6j/you_want_some_bike_here_you_go/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

May 19, 202323:45
#206 Efficient Cooking

#206 Efficient Cooking

We all have our hobbies. Online gaming, forging metals, failing student reports and one of my favourites is cooking. But there isn't always time for such matters. What to do... what to do... Make a podcast about it, is what we did.


Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 20th April 2023

May 12, 202324:37
#205 Refining problems, sub-problems

#205 Refining problems, sub-problems

This may sound like a lesson in refining problems. It is instead an exacerbated complaint against the inability of persons to understand what I am saying. Did that come across? No? Well then Ill setup an episode about me complaining about this too. If that doesn't help I can repeat the process as necessary.


Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 20th April 2023


Learnings video: https://www.reddit.com/r/ThatsInsane/comments/12d9mos/combat_juggling_sport/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

May 05, 202323:04
#204 Electric Public Transport

#204 Electric Public Transport

Rest assured we completely cover a new transport scheme that is sure to be something you think of as "different." More than that I cannot and will not say. Other than steam catapult launched buses will make me use public transport.


Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 29th March 2023

Apr 28, 202324:47
#203 Planning

#203 Planning

Planning for a design is like planning for a holiday. Does that help? No? Well then let's tell you how we would plan for a holiday. If that doesn't help I recommend Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.


Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 29th March 2023


Video: https://www.reddit.com/r/interestingasfuck/comments/11za7zr/this_specially_designed_cup_can_hold_coffee_in_it/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

Apr 21, 202326:20
#202 New Materials

#202 New Materials

When a new material or mechanism is finally released or discovered there tends to be a lot of hype in it. Sometimes this hype is merited, sometimes it is premature and sometimes it's fantastical. Let's discuss one of these new ideas.


Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 9 March 2023

Apr 14, 202321:07
#201 Transforming Chairs
Apr 07, 202322:16
#200 Robot Wars V2

#200 Robot Wars V2

We (Boer and I) see a lot of students who are not so much interested in the problem but just have an idea they want to design for. We get that to. Today it's a new form of robot wars (google it). Note even in jumping right into the design, we are aware of an approximate problem but because it is not well defined, our ideas jump around a lot.


Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 23 Feb 2023


This is the 200th episode. Should we have done something special? Well technically episode 197 was the 200th episode. So we got over it.

Mar 31, 202328:00
#199 Wheelchair Storage
Mar 24, 202324:50
#198 3rd year mech/aero design projects 2023

#198 3rd year mech/aero design projects 2023

The design projects in undergrad at Wits SoMIAE change every year. We do this to keep things fresh, to make our lives (as the lecturer) entertaining and also gives students something new each year. We introduce these here as they tend to come up in conversations later in the year. Some starting thoughts, things to think about and the like.
Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 15th Feb 2023.
Mar 17, 202326:40
#197 The 2nd year design projects 2023

#197 The 2nd year design projects 2023

The design projects in undergrad at Wits SoMIAE change every year. We do this to keep things fresh, to make our lives (as the lecturer) entertaining and also gives students something new each year. We introduce these here as they tend to come up in conversations. Some starting thoughts, things to think about and the like.

Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 15th Feb 2023.

Mar 10, 202324:31
#196 Complex Engineering Problem (again - 2023 - part 2)

#196 Complex Engineering Problem (again - 2023 - part 2)

As we tend to do every year, here we discuss the definition of a complex engineering problem, as is established by ECSA. We have done this before and so you can refer to the previous ones, just this one or both. In this episode we only discuss definition of the solution to such a problem. The definition of the problme was covered in a precious .

Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 9th Feb 2023

Mar 03, 202324:55
#195 Complex Engineering Problem (again - 2023)

#195 Complex Engineering Problem (again - 2023)

As we tend to do every year, here we discuss the definition of a complex engineering problem, as is established by ECSA. We have done this before and so you can refer to the previous ones, just this one or both. In this episode we only discuss definition of the problem itself. The next episode will cover the definition of the solution to such a problem. 

Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 9th Feb 2023


Feb 24, 202324:11
#194 Cleaning up Everest

#194 Cleaning up Everest

The nature of problems, that while are problems either don't need any solution or not your sort of solution (assuming you are mechanically/aeronautically inclined). That's the topic by the way. If it doesn't make sense then that may change (may... I said may) if you listen to it. So listen to it. 

Hosted by M.Boer and S. Schekman on the 18th January 2023.

Feb 17, 202326:03
#193 Critically evaluating designs we have seen

#193 Critically evaluating designs we have seen

The use of videos for explaining points to Boer has been somewhat effective. Its applicability to an audio only podcast is of course limited. There is no easy way to say this so I'll just come out with it: "The Last Jedi is not terrible." Before you prepare your response please first refer to an episode in the podcasts in the #50- #62 range where this topic was discussed in depth. 

Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 18th Jan 2023.

Feb 10, 202324:42
#192 When Life Gets You Down Make a Podcast

#192 When Life Gets You Down Make a Podcast

Ahh, load shedding. Such a way of life for South Africans that it becomes depressing thinking about it. But on the other hand it gives us plenty to talk about from a design standpoint. New topic, traffic lights. Obviously my first solution would be having a vehicle that can just go through an intersection without damage from oncoming or bypassing other vehicles. Who needs traffic lights or 4 way crossing rules when everyone else has to move out of your way. This is apparently unethical (t-boning a bus full of kids because you decided it was time to go - then carving that bus in half without more than a scratch on the paint, even though its impressive) so let's be good engineers and think about it properly.

Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on the 18th Jan 2023

Feb 03, 202326:19
#191 I'm not locked in here with you

#191 I'm not locked in here with you

Every now and then it appears that the bad ideas, that we would say "no, that is a bad idea" seem to make it far enough that we see it outside of design reports in undergrad. There's a lot that can be said from this, from the fact that even bad ideas are taken to far to even bad design engineers manage to get out into industry. We discuss such an idea.

Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on the 18th Jan 2023

Jan 27, 202329:40
#190 I hear clearly now that the rain is gone

#190 I hear clearly now that the rain is gone

Do you hear yourself think? That inner monologue telling you that, no you cannot make that jump or yes you definitely got the wrong answer in that exam question. It might just be me but it got me thinking about when I couldn’t hear that voice because it was raining so damn hard while I was driving. The obvious follow up is not a trip to the psychologist but instead whether or not I could make things quieter and how. Quickly tricking Boer into going along with this, I may once again be able to hear myself think.
Hosted by M.Boer and S. Schekman on the 10th Jan 2023
Jan 20, 202329:16
#189 Hot Topics 2023

#189 Hot Topics 2023

Every year there are series of topics that are proposed by students as the best, most obvious, easiest, (etc.) problem to solve. These also inherently has some of the worst pitfalls and performance amongst the projects. We attempt to predict what we think might come up. These are not necessarily problems or topics to avoid but just be aware of some of the issues ahead of time. To know what you are getting yourself into.

Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on the 10th Jan 2023

Jan 13, 202327:51