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Engineering studies
| 1. |
The history of the bicycle and the technological changes
that have affected its design have both impacted on society
and been influenced by changing societal values. An increase
in leisure pursuits, awareness of personal fitness and
competition have created a market for the Superbike beyond
elite cycling circles.
Discuss this statement identifying significant technological
changes that helped to initiate such a change. |
| 2. |
Compare the images under the heading The
history of the bicycle and identify key developmental
changes. What advances and changes in technology would
have allowed these to occur? |
| 3. |
The development of the Superbike through the collaboration
of athletes and researchers at high-tech research facilities
illustrates the emergence of sports science in Australia.
What type of research has taken place to enhance equipment
for rowing, for example? |
| 4. |
Justify the decision to use carbon fibre in the Superbike,
with particular reference to relevant structural and property
relationships. |
| 5. |
Kevlar (carbon fibre) is available as inserts for bicycle
tyres. Write four bullet points as text for a brochure
promoting the use of Kevlar. |
| 6. |
Carbon fibre has been used in Formula One racing cars.
Research how carbon fibre has been used and its potential
use in personal transport in the future. Indicate why
it would be valuable in the applications you have identified. |
| 7. |
What testing methods are used during the development of
a bicycle? What destructive and non-destructive testing
methods could be used for materials and structures in
other similar engineering applications? |
| 8. |
Investigate the advantages of monocoque constructions
over other styles of construction. |
| 9. |
Explain the following manufacturing processes:
- resin
transfer moulding
- rotational
mouldings of thermoplastics
- vacuum
forming fibre reinforced plastics (frps).
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| 10. |
Compare an 'old' bicycle design with one of today's specific-use
designs. Comment on how increased knowledge of materials
and improved manufacturing processes have contributed
to these changes. |
| 11. |
Investigate reasons for the proportionally low level of
use of the bicycle as a mode of personal transport in
Australia compared with other countries, for example Japan,
China and the Netherlands. |
| 12. |
As a class or as an individual, design one of the following:
a) a bicycle
b) a component for a bicycle
c) a modification to an existing bicycle
d) an accessory for a specific use, such as touring,
racing, camping, or commuting.
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| 13. |
Investigate methods of manufacturing metal tube from:
a) steel
b) alloys of aluminium. |
| 14. |
Explain why there has been no bicycle manufacture in Australia
since 1990. |
| 15. |
Describe the process of 'vacuum bagging' when applied
to forming plastics, such as carbon fibre or glass fibre
products. |
| 16. |
What is meant by the term tooling? See glossary. |
| 17. |
Research
and explain:
| a) |
alternative
manufacturing materials used in bicycle manufacture |
| b) |
the
joining methods used with these materials. Use diagrams
to assist your
explanation. |
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| 18. |
Develop a table to highlight the advantages and disadvantages
of carbon fibre versus other materials. |
| 19. |
Metal
tubular frames are widely used. One example is in cranes.
| a)
|
Identify
other uses of tubular frames. |
| b)
|
Conduct
an experiment to test the strength of a variety
of metal rods and
a metal tube. |
| c) |
Record
your results in a database. |
| d)
|
Describe
the mode of failure of each of the samples. |
This
is the type of information gathered by the Superbike
team for finite element modelling (FEM) analysis.
|
| 20. |
Sketch
and label two types of caliper brakes. |
| 21. |
Develop and complete a table, as indicated below, to
show the advantages and disadvantages of different types
of bearings.
| Types
of bearings |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Sketch |
| Ball
bearings |
|
|
|
| Tapered
roller bearings |
|
|
|
| Needle
roller bearings |
|
|
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| Bronze
bush bearings |
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Design
and technology
| 1. |
Critically
analyse the innovative design practice presented in the
Superbike case study. |
| 2. |
Research the ecological, economic, social, ethical and
legal implications of carbon fibre technology. |
| 3. |
Comment
on the impact of emerging technologies on the cycling
population in Australia. |
| 4. |
Compare the environmental impact of the metal tube frame
with the carbon fibre
frame. Consider manufacturing impact and disposal. |
| 5. |
Read
the case study, AIS/RMIT Superbike. Underline those words
or phrases you
are not familiar with. Identify the meaning of those terms
using the resources provided. |
| 6. |
Explain why the Superbike is considered innovative. Include
in your explanation
mention of design and materials. |
| 7. |
How was the concept of a Superbike initially conceived?
How did the
involvement of a team of people assist this process? |
| 8. |
Use the Milestones in design development to describe
in detail the process
undertaken to produce the design. |
| 9. |
Compare the Superbike with traditional bicycle designs.
Assess the impact of these
changes upon the environment. |
| 10. |
How has the usage of bikes changed over the past century?
What have been the
global consequences of this change, from both a social
and, an environmental perspective? |
Further
reading
Beeley, S. (1992) A History of Bicycles, Wellfleet
Press, New Jersey.
Dodge, P. (1996) The Bicycle, Flammarion, Paris.
Fitzpatrick, J. (1980) The Bicycle and the Bush, Oxford
University Press, Melbourne.
Pridmore, J. and Hurd, J. (1995) The American Bicycle,
Motorbooks International, Osceola, USA.
Thompson, L., (1996) Jumpstart for bicycle manufacture in
Australia, Engineering World, August, pp. 4–7.
Links
Campagnolo
www.campagnolo.com
Cooperative Research Centre for Advance Composite Structure
http://www.crc-acs.aero.rmit.edu.au/
RMIT
http://www.aero.rmit.edu.au/wackettCentre/superbike/index.html
Strand 7
www.strand.aust.com
Cadkey
www.cadkey.com
References
Board of Studies NSW (1996) Make the Future Work: Appropriate
Technology: a Teacher's Guide, Board of Studies NSW, Sydney.
Fritz, A. (1986) Consumer textiles, Oxford University
Press, Melbourne, p. 178.
Low, M. (1977) Great achievements in engineering: Making
things work, Cassell Australia, Sydney, pp. 48–53.
Thompson, L. (1996) Jumpstart for bicycle manufacture in Australia,
Engineering World, August, pp. 4–6.
Thompson, L. (1996) Engineering the world's fastest bicycle.
Unpublished paper.
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