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OBJECTIVES:
You and your classmates are biomedical engineers
assigned to develop a new equestrian saddle
for a paraplegic rider. Current concerns
with existing equipment include high
cost and safety. In the event the rider is
thrown, some existing saddles compromise the riders
ability to separate from the horse.
In this activity you and your team will
follow an engineering design methodology to
brainstorm on the design of an affordable, safe
equestrian saddle for a paraplegic.
STEPS TO FOLLOW:
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(Optional) If possible, watch the segment of the National Geographic
documentary "Noble Horses" which shows footage from the 1996 Atlanta
Paralympic equestrian event (about the last 20 minutes
of the program). The documentary provides examples
of adaptive and assist equestrian equipment as well as
insight into the needs of riders with special mobility needs.
(See the MATERIALS list.)
Alternately, read about
Midland's Carousel.
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MATERIALS:
Project Notebook Sheets Page 1
and Page 2
(Optional) National Geographic Video "The Noble Horse"*
(Optional) VCR or DVD and Monitor To Play "The Noble Horse"
Note: The documentary provides examples
of adaptive and assist equestrian
equipment and insight into the needs
of disabled riders.
The program can be purchased through the
Carousel
Riding Center and
Amazon.com (scroll to the bottom of the page).
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Consider the following aspects of the project.
For each category, write down whatever information you know
in your
engineer's project notebook.
Include questions you have and
specific resources (documents or individuals) where you might find the answers. For example, when considering the weight of the saddle you might
examine web sites where you can purchase riding equipment to find the weight of existing saddles. List any action items (next steps).
1. Customer Specification
2. End User Specification
3. Product Design Specification:
performance
environment
life in service
maintenance
target production and sales
cost
competition
manufacturing
potential suppliers
size and weight
appearance and finish
materials
time scales
company constraints
political and social implications
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Summarize a report of your findings, assumptions, a list of the next steps you will undertake and questions and information you wish to discuss with your client at your next meeting.
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(Optional) While you do not have to
develop a saddle design, if your research has inspired a saddle design
sketch a drawing and provide a description in your report.
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