Concept to prototype : musical instrument effect pedal : an exercise in design and manufacturing

It was the goal of this thesis to use skill sets and manufacturing methods discussed or introduced but not practiced in the undergraduate curriculum for mechanical engineers to create a working prototype of a musical instrument effect pedal. Specifically these skills include post-failure metallurgical examinations and circuit board design, and the manufacturing methods include metal forming (not cutting) with a lathe and sand casting. A musical instrument effect was chosen because it is a simple device with relatively simple circuitry, yet it still poses issues of system integration and design problems on multiple fronts. A typical design process was followed. However, in choosing manufacturing processes typical factors were examined (cost, rate, quality, etc.) as well as the stipulation that the process chosen must have been practiced before in the curriculum, forcing the designer to encounter different challenges and learn the detailed workings of an unfamiliar process. Finally recommendations concerning assembly and process modifications for mass production were given in light of the experience gained from building the prototype.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2008

Author dc:creator

• Molina, Homar, Jr

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Seth Lloyd.

• Mechanical Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/45317

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/45317