Toasting Design

The description of complex engineering problems as defined by ECSA is that the problem requires in-depth fundamental and specialised engineering knowledge; and have one or more of the characteristics:A systematic, theory-based formulation of engineering fundamentals required in the engineering discipline.Engineering specialist knowledge that provides theoretical frameworks and bodies of knowledge for the accepted practice areas in the engineering discipline; much of which is at the forefront of the discipline.Knowledge, including efficient resource use, environmental impacts, whole-life cost, re-use of resources, net zero carbon, and similar concepts, that supports engineering design and operations in a practice area.Knowledge of engineering practice (technology) in the practice areas in the engineering discipline.Engagement with selected knowledge in the current research literature of the discipline, awareness of the power of critical thinking and creative approaches to evaluate emerging issues.

That title has a few connotations, doesn't it? I should have maybe changed it but maybe it will trick you into listening to this and you'd actually get something useful despite not getting what you hoped to find. At least so I can hope. At least I can hope. I hope I can hope.Hosted hopefully by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 8 May 2025

You are 6 weeks into a 10 week project and realise you have forgotten a key factor or parameter. It seems like it makes your design no longer a solution to the problem... What do you do. Well give up obviously, why put Schekman through all that marking? Alternatively you stop worrying and deal with it.Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 8 May 2024

Very lightly, a bare whisper of a discussion on your own design processes. There is a lot to be said here so if you want to hear more let us know.Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 10 April 2025

Based on this clip (provided it is still active), we discuss what was done and what else could be done. https://www.reddit.com/r/ThatsInsane/comments/1jtup0z/ice_fishers_run_in_panic_trying_to_outrun_the/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_buttonHosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 10 April 2025

Boer had an idea for a trip. Next thing I know, the car is gone, my hands are covered in sealent gel and theres ductape everywhere. We didn't even get a sponsorship deal from the Checkers DIY aisle either. Hosted by M.Boer and S. Schekman on 6 March 2025.

Woe unto those that have the delivery projects for 3rd year. It's not that bad but some are a wee bit lost. So we have a talk about it. Does it help? Contact your nearest SPCA and adopt a dog if it does. Adopt a cat if it doesn't. Adopt a gerbil if you aren't in 3rd year. Or, you know, do whatever.Hosted by M. Boer and S. Schekman on 6 March 2025

While set off from a tragic accident this episode looks into a potential future where air based travel dominates the transport around Wits. Would it work? Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 6 Feb 2025

A consideration for ideas and asking is it really worth doing it. Just because you can doesn't mean you should. Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 6 Feb 2025 The link that started off this particular episode is below. https://www.reddit.com/r/ThatsInsane/comments/1igbfzr/walking_on_the_worlds_longest_slackline_11961_ft/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Have you ever wondered how to clean a runway? If you answered yes then please change your answer to no. If no then me neither. But it brought up some interesting ideas. I enjoyed this one. Hosted by M. Boer and S.Schekman on 10 Dec 2024

To clarify no cats have been harmed in the consideration of this topic. All options should be considered but that doesn't mean you need to go to the prototype stage with every option - especially in this case. I really do actually like cats. Hosted by M. Boer and S.Schekman on 10 Dec 2024

Let's discuss the pogo stick. See it as an abstract critical evaluation - maybe not always on topic or sensible but then again other than lectures when are we on topic or sensible? Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 31 October 2024

In a hypothetical universe we decided to use the 3rd year mech designs and well it did not end well. Now how are we going to explore the rainforest for the annual trip that we do to find new ideas for design projects? Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 31 October 2024

Another spitballing type episode. Boer gives a situation and let's see what we can do about a solution. I think I am seeing some potential for a 3rd year project in all this... Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 3rd October 2024

All based on an idea I had one morning that I could not figure out a good answer for. Not sure I think what we arrived at was a good answer either but an interesting way of considering the influence of our own perspectives on how we view solutions. Hosted by M. Boer and S. Schekman on the 3rd October 2024

Who would have thought that November has such a heritage for cool ideas and designs being published. Not in undergrad mind you - not even I am that optimistic but at least in history. Also we start intending to talk about this and actually finish talking about it as well! Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 19 September 2024

By the time this comes out the 3rd year mech's will have submitted their projects. In the lead up to that I have some pretty major concerns of what I will get. So this is sort of a prediction or look into some of those concerns. Will report back eventually as to what I got. Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 19 September 2024

This is honestly my favourite intro in a while. You might be able to tell as I took the time to actually edit some other things in there. If I looked at or took comments I might know whether you liked it as well but to be honest these intros are because we enjoy them - that is the only reason they are there. Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on the 12 September 2024

We took a break from the podcast. We are back. But I figured we would stay on topic for while longer. Nope. Right off the rails from the get go... it's good to be back. Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 12 September 2024

Back onto a spitballing ideas type episode, we are looking at how to cool off in an extreme situation. Self imposed situation (somewhat base on possible events) and off we go. What would you have done differently?

We are back. After a relatively long hiatus we are resuming normal podcast schedules (a episode every second week). In light of some of the things we are seeing with the students approaching design, we talk about some of the approaches or ways of thinking about getting data or proving something works. This is a broader overview rather than something specific. Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 23 Aug 2024

This one comes down to the planning of the design, how to start, what to do first (or next). Its one of the bigger hiccups seen in the projects really. This is not necessarily the only way to do this but if what you are doing isn't working for you, give it a try. Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 6th June 2024

Yes we have done something along this before. Along the lines of modification, conversion or new. But either no one listens to the old ones of these (which would be great, I don't need to think of new ideas) or we explained it poorly. So with enough poor explanations (I dont think they are actually poor, but judging by the marks I am assigning something is poor - its you) we should eventually get you to understand. Or not. Link to learnings: https://www.reddit.com/r/ThatsInsane/comments/1czoznc/towbot_confiscates_car_for_parking_in_handicapped/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 6th June 2024

Ok so that title may seem misleading. I forgot that is what we were going to talk about. Boer got us back there eventually. Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 23rd May 2024

Following a suggestion on the topic we are giving consideration to how our design courses could implement gamification. This is to a very high level, a first pass to it all but an interesting idea. Note it may take us a while to get there - we get distracted. Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 23 May 2024

Why do I also want to spell yacht as yatcht? It feels like there should be that extra "t" there. Am I just pronouncing it incorrectly all this time and putting in a "t" or is the ch silent. When is the last time a ch was silent (because obviously words are released chronologically in time and we can traced the first and last time a word was said). Also we talk about land yachts and world record snow mobiles ("moh-beels" or "moh biles"?) Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on the 25th April 2024.

What is the best way to crack an egg? Did you answer with a multi million rand machine that automates the entire process? Well that is conincidentally what we did too... only because I found a video showing it. You did it for entirely different reasons and I am left to assume that it was for the wrong reason. Unless you also saw the same video. In which case, stop plagiarising other peoples ideas. Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 25th April 2024

Design problems end up being quite the major point in these topics. Mostly because it is something that a lot of students of design end up struggling the most. We tackle these as often as we do to show that they don't need to be so complicated or so difficult. Hosted by M.Boer and S.Schekman on 22 March 2024

Like one giant metaphor that is also a direct lesson in and of itself we discuss how we would improve productivity if told to do so. Hosted by M. Boer and S.Schekman on 22 March 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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