[shakey]

Hello,

I am currently in the designing the stage of my A2 Product Design A level.

The product I have to chosen to design and make is a Model Railway/Scalextric Controller. I have come up with a few specifications for what I am designing. Must be;

• Affordable
• Easy to use
• Able to use with Model Railways and Scalextrics (so there will be a 12 Volt setting and a 16 Volt setting on the transformer.)
• Able to use more than one at the same time without interference (so more than one frequency must be selectable
• Wireless via Infra-red (to be legal!)

Regarding the make, the main body will be made from laser cut acrylic and the interals will be on PCB (printed circuit board).

Regarding help with it, I will be getting electrical help for the internals from my Brother and my Dad who both have degree's in electronics, a friend who is currently taking a degree in electronics and 2 other friends who are very good with electronics.

In making it I will seek help from my teacher, who (rather unsurprisingly) is very good at designing and making well designed products. Also in the making I will need to be able to make PCB, as my school doesn't have the facilities to make it, the same friend who is taking a degree in eletronics also has access to facilities that can make it.

I will be keeping this thread up to date with progress, idea's and soon, an online survey to help me get feedback. I have already made a CAD drawing which I will upload as soon as I can so you can get an idea of what I am going to make.

If you have any questions, queries, feedback or help, don't hesitate as I need as much feedback as I can get

Many Thanks

Shakey.

 

[shakey]

Well I have changed my mind about this, it is now just going to be a scalextric controller, as you have already mentioned about the need to change speed quickly and trains just have a constant speed. I also just need a small bit of help, does anyone know of any wireless ANALOGUE controllers? As while searching, they were either, analogue and not wireless or digital and wireless. As I need a product to compare mine to.

Thanks very much

Shakey

 

[shakey]

Sorry about the lack of updates (School Holidays

) Well, I've started work on it and I have spoken to my brother about creating a circuit for it, it will be powered by radio frequencies (like RC Cars) I have a Remote controller Porshe to take apart, work on and discover how it works, so I could recreate it in my controller.

I have a few weeks before I have to start working on the design of the circuit, so I have time to work out how to make the circuit!

Shakey,

 

[shakey]

Sorry, my mistake, I meant controlled by Radio Frequencies, and powered through the pickups as usually seen on Slot cars. (sorry silly mistake

)

Shakey

 

[shakey]

The case might not nessisarily be made from laser cut arcyrlic, it might be made from vacuum formed plastic.

Shakey

 

[shakey]

Thanks for the support guys

I have just been told that I need to do 'more' so not only will I be designing and making the controller, I will be creating a storage box for it and 2 cars, and also I will have to redesign the logo.

Shakey

 

[shakey]

Just a quick ask, to make the circuit easier to design and make (and cheaper and lighter) I've decided to cut a few corner on the wireless front. There'll only be 4 or 5 speed steps. The examiner probably wouldn't be able to see this, (as only pictures will be posted in my folder and they probably wouldn't come for a 'play').

Shakey