Name:

Date Started:
Group Members:
Foundations of Technology
Pringles Experiment Design Brief
1.

Period:
Due Date:

Date:

Define the Problem

What need or want must be met by the solution?
A sort of outer layer coating must be built in order to transport a potato chip through the US mail.
We must create some sort of vehicle that will allow it to be mailed without any fatality to its health.
We need to maintain the total weight (and size) under the weight limit of the postal office.

2.

Brainstorming
List/sketch possible solutions that might be used in your final design.
each of these ideas relates to the problem statement.

Clearly identify and describe how

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Foundations of Technology,
Third Edition /
Technology, Engineering, and Design

3. Research and Generating Ideas

In the space below, document your research. Be sure to include proper citations at the end of your
notes.
Notes

Not more than 3.5 ounces (First-Class Mail letter-size pieces over 3.5 ounces pay flat-size prices)
Is too rigid (does not bend easily when subjected to a transport belt tension of 40 pounds around an
11-inch diameter turn).
1 Kilogram = 35.2739619 Ounces
People who have done this project before

Citations/References
http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/101.htm#1005672

http://www.asknumbers.com/KilogramsToOuncesConversion.aspx

2013 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association

Foundations of Technology,
Third Edition /
Technology, Engineering, and Design

4.

Identifying criteria and specifying constraints

What are the criteria and constraints of the design problem?

Specifications
Class-Determined Criteria:
O The chip has to be fully intact when delivered
O Stay in postal weight limit
O The chip must not have any parts broken off, not even a small crack
Class-Determined Constraints:
O Less than 3 of tape
O 6 index cards
O 8 straws

5.

Exploring possibilities
Reflect on your brainstormed ideas and research notes and describe the plusses and minuses of each
design approach you have considered.

Brainstorming Idea
Idea#1: index card around
the chip

Idea#2: cut up straws

around the chip

Pluses
Reinforces the envelope
Fits in the envelope
Protects the chip
Not over weight limit
Cut up straws work as
insulation

Cant be crushed as
easily as idea 1

Idea#3: cut up straws and

index cards around the chip

Has insulation to
protect from crushing
Has reinforced index
card

Minuses
Can be crushed
Not as protective without straws

Might be over weight limit

Might be over the size limit
Index card might be used for
reinforcement

Over weight limit

Over size limit

2013 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association

Foundations of Technology,
Third Edition /
Technology, Engineering, and Design

6. Selecting an Approach
a. Enter the constraints and criteria of the project in the first column.
b. Score your brainstorming ideas against each constraint or criterion and indicate how well the idea
meets the criteria and constraints.
3 pts = easily meets, 2 pts = somewhat meets, 1 pt. = does not meet
c. Total the columns and circle the highest score to indicate your best design idea.
Constraint/Criterion
Less than 3 of tape

6 Index card

No more than 8 straws

Stays in postal weight

limit

Must not be broken or

cracked

11

14

10

Total

2013 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association

Foundations of Technology,
Third Edition /
Technology, Engineering, and Design

7. Developing a Design Proposal

Based on the evaluation of your ideas, develop a design proposal for the highest scoring idea. Include
working drawings (sketches with dimensions, so that you could build your project). Attach your
working drawings to this sheet. Determine the materials you plan to use based on your design. List
the material and quantity below.
Material to be Used
Straws

Qty
8

Chip

Envelope

8. Making a model or prototype

In the space below, document the construction of the model/prototype. Be sure to include
sketches/pictures as appropriate.
Construction in-process

Construction in-process

Construction in-process

Final Product

2013 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association

Foundations of Technology,
Third Edition /
Technology, Engineering, and Design

9. Testing and Evaluating the Design, using specifications

As you create your solution, you will perform tests to make sure that the solution is meeting the needs
of the given problem. If your solution does not work, you may need to repeat the previous steps of the
Engineering Design Process, until you find a functional design. In the space below, document the type
of tests you conducted and the results.
Test Performed

Test Results

10.Refining the Design

Based on your tests, what design refinements should be made to the prototype to ensure that it can
satisfy all of the criteria and constraints of the design problem.
Refinements

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11.Creating or Making It
Modify your model/prototype to incorporate the design refinements you identified in section 10. What
additional steps would be necessary to produce the final product for the customer?

2013 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association

Foundations of Technology,
Third Edition /
Technology, Engineering, and Design

12.Communicating processes and results

a) Demonstrate the operation of your Crane Strain device to the class. As part of your demonstration,
describe the steps involved in creating your device.
b) Complete the Crane Strain Efficiency calculations (

and present your data

to the teacher.

2013 International Technology and Engineering Educators Association

Foundations of Technology,
Third Edition /
Technology, Engineering, and Design