====== January Minutes ======

==== Week of 01/16/2012 ====

Split up into Sub-Groups:\\
  * Machine Shop: Anthony and Eric \\
  * Laser Cutting: Alex and Malcolm

Discussed Potential Ideas:\\
  * Cooper student isolated in automata while world around him is amazing
  * Orchestra that plays music (drums and strings)
  * Frankenstein themed

Decision - Decided on "Cooper student being isolated" idea:
  * Worked on ideas for "outside world" of the automata
  * Discussed the mechanisms involved for Cooper student's movements
  * Discussed how to rotate between different events in "outside world."

Machine Shop:
  * Learned how to use mill

Prototyping Lab:
  * Learned about various types of prototyping (wax casting, 3D printing) and assigned to make solidworks model of an item to be printed

==== Week of 01/23/2012 ====

Discussed specifics/mechanisms for the automata:
  * Student with a desk centers the automata on a small "pedestal"
  * Student is enclosed by a building (resembles Cooper Union)
  * Outside events rotate around the student
  * "Time of day" mechanism
  * The "time of day" dictates the event being animated
  * Drew preliminary design for student movement
  * Drew designs for overall automata movement

Machine Shop:
  * Learned how to use lathe to make screws for automata
  * Practiced on the mill with scrap piece of aluminum

Prototyping Lab:
  * Went over initial solidworks models to be prototyped with the 3D printer
  * Received overview of using the Laser Cutter (vector vs. raster) and tried to cut out a circle from a single sheet of paper without cutting the sheet below it
  * Assigned to make a display showcasing various methods of joining 2 pieces of plastic

==== Week of 01/30/2012 ====

Machine Shop:
  * Began making outside block for individual projects

Prototyping Lab:
  * Went over various types of 3D printing (FDM, Sintering, Stereolithography)
  * Became more familiar with the limitations of prototyping with a non ideal material
  * Made aware of the challenges faced when using a CNC machine to produce a prototype