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|File: Top table 3.png |Backpack frame bike trailer |1 |Detach old picture frame from the Velcro. Obtain new picture frame and attach Velcro tape to bottom center of frame and drill a small hole into the top center of the frame for the nail. Replace new frame into its designated nail on the display case. | |File: Top table 3.png |Backpack frame bike trailer |1 |Detach old picture frame from the Velcro. Obtain new picture frame and attach Velcro tape to bottom center of frame and drill a small hole into the top center of the frame for the nail. Replace new frame into its designated nail on the display case. | ||
|File: | |File: Final Design of Adjustable Desk.png|Display case being splattered |2 |Take picture frames and picture off of display case. Unscrew display case from the wall and bring it outside to a flat surface. Paint a couple layers of black paint onto display case and wait for it to dry completely. Splatter-paint the display case with red and yellow paint. Once all the paint is dry, re-mount the display case onto the wall and put the frames and pictures back on the nails and Velcro. | ||
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Revision as of 08:50, 9 May 2019
Abstract
The purpose of this project is to offer alternative workspace to the typical desk in a middle school classroom. The project is an adjustable standing desk that students of different height may comfortably use to complete group work. The desk was made to accommodate middle school students and function as a collaborative workspace in the classroom. The design takes into account the tendencies of energetic, fidgeting students by providing a distraction-free alternative to students that prefer standing while doing work.
Background
This project was commissioned by Zane Middle School in Eureka, CA to be completed for the Spring 2019 Engineering 215 - Introduction to Design at Humboldt State University. Zane Middle School is a 6th - 8th-grade Magnet School with STEAM focus, dedicated to providing an enhanced learning environment tailored to the needs of middle-level learners. Team C.H.A.I.R. is a group of four engineering students tasked with designing a desk that gives students the option to work in a less restrictive space.
Problem statement and criteria
After a full day of learning, students too fidgety, energetic, agitated, etc. to focus while sitting at a standard school desk. The objective of this project is to offer an alternative to typical school desk with the choice to stand during class.
| Criteria | Importance | Constraints |
|---|---|---|
| Safety | 10 | Must bare the weight of students without falling or presenting other safety hazards |
| Utility | 9 | Must function to adjust to different heights |
| Comfort | 8 | Must accommodate students of different sizes and ages |
| Cost | 7 | No more than $400 may be spent |
| Durability | 6 | Must withstand daily use by students that may unscrew loose parts |
| Inspiration | 5 | Inspire students to reuse materials and be creative while building. |
Description of final project
Photos and descriptions. Use gallery. Our final project is an adjustable desk that goes from 29 to 48 inches high. This size difference allows students of all different heights to be able to use it. By spinning the top of the desk to the right it will lower the size of it and when you spin it to the left it will make the desk be taller. The base of the desk is a four-legged base because it gives it the best stability so it is not unbalanced in any way. The spinning mechanism allows the desk to be raised and lowered with only one person doing it instead of having to have anyone else help them. The table top is the size of an average desk's top which gives the student a good amount of room to work and there is a little pencil indentation on the desk so they will not have to worry about their pencil falling off of the desk. Also, underneath the desk will have a little shelf area where they can store paper, folders, textbook, etc.
Include a how to use and maintain section. See the how-to template below.
Prototyping
Costs
| Quantity | Material | Source | Cost ($) | Total ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wood | Craigslist | 15.67 | 15.67 |
| 1 | Cylinder pip | personal | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 1 | Pipe grips | personal | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 1 | Threaded pipe | Humboldt Scrap Yard | 27.67 | 27.67 |
| 4 | Furniture felt pads | Ace hardware | 1.79 | 7.19 |
| 4 | 1/2 Washers | Ace Hardware | 0.45 | 1.80 |
| 1 | Sand Paper | Ace Hardware | 0.49 | 0.49 |
| Total Cost | 52.82 | |||
Costs (Hours)
The picture below illustrates a pie chart of the total design costs in terms of hours for the design.
Testing Results
Desk
After prototyping the table top and playing with different shapes that would best fit the need of the students, we found that a hexagon would be the best shape out of a circle, square, and other like shapes. We wanted to have a circle for the benefit of making it easier to spin 360 degrees multiple times. However, a circle is not the best choice when it comes to using space efficiently. For group work to be more comfortable, a hexagon design was implemented. A hexagon shape as the table top would allow for more group space due to the surface area. It is easy to spin and provides an individual section for anyone around the table to work in. The only issue with the hexagon surface would be the sharp corners, which may be filed down for safety.
Adjustability function
The table is able to move up or down by spinning the table; left to go down and right to raise the table. We also really prioritized on making the desk adjustable but with the criteria of only having an operator in the design. The science behind the adjustability is the threading; threading is a form carving that lowers the friction when going up but still allows for the user to persevering the original friction so the table won't go back down. Doing this minimized the distraction that may occur in the classroom setting especially if the threading is small so it will have more variety in the range that will be available for people to use.
How to build
Maintenance
The adjustable desk will require minimal maintenance, but over time some pieces may need to be lubed or replaced.
Schedule
- Weekly
- Disinfectant wipes for the table tops to ensure cleanliness
- Monthly
- Check all screws and bolts to make sure tight
- Lube as needed to ensure smooth rotation of desktop
- Yearly
- Make sure structural integrity of desk itself is still holding strong
- Every 5 years
- Possible paint job if current paint starts to chip
Instructions
Troubleshooting
This is only how to troubleshoot basic operation. For complex issues, the solution might just say contact ________. It should be a table in this format:
| Problem | Suggestion |
|---|---|
| Example issue | Example solution or suggestion |
| Does not turn on | Make sure it is plugged in |
| Another issue | Et cetera |
Discussion and next steps
The alternative desk is being used by anywhere from 1-4 students at a time during a 7 hour school day, 5 days a week, from mid-September to about June. With that being said, the desk is going to be in use most of the time meaning ensuring the stability of the overall design is crucial. The desks main purpose is to allow for a space where students can still do their work without having the discomfort of sitting in a chair. The desk is adjusted by rotating the table-top clockwise or counterclockwise to move the table-top up and down in height depending on the user. The desk can be adjusted by one person minimizing classroom distractions.
Our first step was to create a base that could hold the weight of the table-top itself and be able to adjust freely and easily. These parts were acquired from the Arcata Scrap Yard. The next step was to acquire a tabletop that could mount to the current base and spin freely as well as allowing for enough space for group work. These steps required multiple hours of collaboration and deliberation to come to a consensus of the type of base that would work best with the shape of the table top used. With this product, students now have the opportunity to stand up from their normal and work at the standing desk to give to give them a chance to stand and stretch out during these prolonged periods of time where they usually sit.
Suggestions for future changes
This product was designed to allow students that find themselves fidgeting or tapping in their chairs to have more options when it comes to working in class. Whether it be sitting in a traditional desk or standing at an adjustable one. Having an adjustable desk gives the option to work at various heights thus making the work experience more pleasurable/bearable. To further compensate for students that still find themselves fidgeting, additions and simple modifications to the desk can solve these problems. For example, adding rubber band cords or a fidget spinner to the desk could solve these problems if they continue.
References
See Help:Footnotes for more. Template:Reflist